Best 9 Running Timers in 2026: Your Ultimate Training Companion

Home Workout Timer & Tracker is our pick for custom intervals and no‑fuss setup. This list covers nine running timer apps, from a bare stopwatch to GPS coaching. Whether you do run/walk, HIIT, or distance goals, you’ll find a dependable option here.

Quick Comparison Table

A quick look at all nine apps to help you find the running timer that fits.

The Best Running Timer Apps of 2024

1. Home Workout Timer & Tracker

Best for: runners who want to set intervals once and never look at a screen again.

This is our top pick because you program your run/walk splits, repeats, or Tabata sprints, then the timer gets out of your way. A clean display runs in the background while you use other apps or play music, so you don’t have to stare at the screen. It’s iOS only, built for people who need a reliable timer, not a social network or GPS logger. The app handles structure so you focus on the work, not the tech.

• Choose from templates (Tabata, HIIT, strength, core) or build fully custom sessions with reps, meters, or seconds.
• Reorder exercises, save trainings, and tap through intervals without distraction.
• Optional location tracking shows live distance on running segments.
• No nagging social feeds or unnecessary features. Just a timer that works and stays out of your way.

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2. Strava: Track & Plan

Best for: runners who want GPS data and community motivation.

Start recording and Strava automatically logs distance, pace, and time, so the timer just runs in the background. The social feed and segment leaderboards give you a competitive nudge. It’s a natural fit if you already use Strava for cycling or sharing workouts. iOS.

3. Nike Run Club: Running Coach

Best for: audio‑guided sessions that keep you on pace.

Nike Run Club gives you a clear running timer, distance tracking, and real‑time pace readouts in one view. Guided runs from pro athletes push you when you need it, and audio timer cues keep you on track without looking at the phone. It’s on Android, making it a solid cross‑platform coach‑and‑timer combo for anyone who likes structured motivation.

4. Runkeeper - Distance Tracker

Best for: custom goal setting with spoken progress updates.

Runkeeper tracks time, distance, and pace, then speaks your progress through headphones. The timer takes centre stage, and training plans help you structure weeks of regular runs. If you love hearing halfway splits and knowing your progress without a screen glance, it’s a great pick. iOS.

5. Seconds Pro Interval Timer

Best for: runners who design their own complex interval sessions.

Seconds Pro uses a big colour‑coded display and text‑to‑speech prompts that call out when to run and when to rest. No extras beyond timing, built for Tabata or complex run/walk ratios. It’s an Android favourite if you want to craft your own sprint templates and let a loud, clear voice do the coaching.

6. MapMyRun by Under Armour

Best for: data nerds who connect smart gear for deeper metrics.

MapMyRun tracks run time, distance, and pace with customisable audio feedback. Pair it with smart shoes or wearables and you get cadence and stride length, turning the timer into a full performance dashboard. It’s a natural extension if you’re already in the Under Armour world. iOS.

7. C25K® 5K Run Trainer & Coach

Best for: absolute beginners working toward a 5K with a run/walk timer.

The eight‑week plan uses audio cues to tell you exactly when to run and when to walk, so you never check the screen. The timer is the backbone, simple, voice‑led, and proven for couch‑to‑5K journeys. Available on Android, it removes guesswork for new runners.

8. Interval Timer - HIIT Workouts

Best for: a no‑nonsense beep timer that sits quietly in the background.

You set up run/walk or sprint/rest sequences, and the app plays alerts over your own music. No GPS, no logging, just a reliable start/stop signal. If a clean, custom interval timer is all you want, it does the job. iOS.

9. adidas Running: Walk & Track

Best for: runners who want a voice coach and goal setting combined.

adidas Running tracks time, distance, and calories via GPS, and a voice coach gives real‑time feedback. Set a time or distance goal and the app keeps you on track without a phone glance. On Android, it’s a solid all‑rounder with brand‑name training support.

How We Picked These Apps

We tested each app strictly as a running timer, not a general fitness tracker. We wanted clear start/stop timing, reliable background audio alerts, simple interval setup, and glitch‑free prompts. The mix covers bare‑bones timers, interval specialists, and GPS trackers that still keep the timer front and centre. Both iOS and Android options are here, and we skipped apps with annoying ads or timers hidden under social feeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a dedicated running timer app better than my phone’s stopwatch?

Yes. A dedicated app remembers your intervals, runs in the background, and gives you voice or beep alerts, so you never glance at the screen mid‑stride.

What’s the difference between a GPS running app with a timer and a pure interval timer?

A GPS app tracks distance and pace along with the timer. A pure interval timer focuses only on timing run/walk or sprint/rest segments, often with more customization and less battery drain.

Do these apps work while I play music?

Most do, and the best ones (like Home Workout Timer & Tracker, Seconds Pro, and Interval Timer - HIIT Workouts) let you listen to your own music while the timer alerts play over the top.

The Verdict

For set‑it‑and‑forget‑it simplicity, Home Workout Timer & Tracker wins. While GPS apps pile on data, this one gives you an unfussy interval timer that stays in the background and lets you move on your own terms. No nags, no social feeds. Just your workout, your rules. Get Home Workout Timer & Tracker