5 Best HIIT Timer Apps for iPhone in 2026

Whether you're doing Tabata sprints, EMOM circuits, or custom interval workouts, a good timer app can make or break your training session. We tested the most popular HIIT timer apps for iPhone to help you find the right one.

What to Look For in a HIIT Timer App

Before diving into the list, here's what matters most:

• Easy workout setup — You shouldn't spend 5 minutes configuring intervals before a 20-minute workout.
• Clear visual and audio cues — You need to know when to work and when to rest without staring at your phone.
• Customizable intervals — Different workouts need different work/rest ratios, rounds, and warm-up periods.
• Haptic feedback — Vibration alerts are essential when you're training with music or in a noisy gym.

1. Quick HIIT Timer

Price: Free (1 free workout), then subscription

Quick HIIT takes a completely different approach to workout setup: you just speak your workout. Say something like "20 minutes of boxing with 40 seconds work, 20 seconds rest" and the app creates a complete structured workout plan using AI.

What stands out:
- Voice-powered workout creation — no tapping through menus
- AI generates a full plan with warm-up, work intervals, rest periods, and cooldown
- Voice announcements tell you what exercise is coming next
- Strong haptic feedback on interval transitions
- Clean, focused timer interface with progress ring

Best for: People who want to start training fast without fiddling with settings.

2. Seconds Interval Timer

Price: Free with ads, $9.99 Pro

Seconds is one of the most established interval timer apps. It offers a template-based system where you choose from HIIT, Tabata, EMOM, or custom formats and then configure each parameter manually.

What stands out:
- Large library of timer templates
- Music integration with Spotify
- Sharing timers with friends
- Apple Watch companion app

Best for: Users who want granular control over every timer parameter and don't mind spending time on setup.

3. Tabata Timer: Interval Workout

Price: Free with ads, subscription for premium

A focused app specifically for Tabata-style workouts (20 seconds work, 10 seconds rest, 8 rounds). It does one thing and does it well.

What stands out:
- Dead-simple Tabata setup
- Built-in exercise library with animations
- Workout history and stats

Best for: Purists who stick to the classic Tabata protocol.

4. SmartWOD Timer

Price: Free with ads, $4.99 Pro

Originally built for CrossFit athletes, SmartWOD handles AMRAP, EMOM, Tabata, and For Time formats. The interface is utilitarian but functional.

What stands out:
- Multiple WOD timer formats
- Large, readable countdown display
- Workout logging

Best for: CrossFit athletes who need specialized WOD timers.

5. Interval Timer - HIIT Workouts

Price: Free with ads, subscription for premium

A straightforward interval timer with a clean interface. You set work time, rest time, number of rounds, and go.

What stands out:
- Simple and intuitive interface
- Color-coded work/rest phases
- Apple Health integration

Best for: Beginners who want a no-frills timer.

Comparison Table

App	Setup Speed	Voice Control	AI Workouts	Free Tier	Price
Quick HIIT Timer	Instant (voice)	Yes	Yes	1 workout	Subscription
Seconds	Slow (manual)	No	No	Limited	$9.99
Tabata Timer	Fast (preset)	No	No	Limited	Subscription
SmartWOD	Medium	No	No	Limited	$4.99
Interval Timer	Fast (simple)	No	No	Limited	Subscription

The Bottom Line

If you value speed and simplicity, Quick HIIT Timer is the clear winner — speaking your workout takes seconds compared to minutes of manual configuration in other apps. The AI-generated workout plans also mean you get a properly structured session (warm-up, progressive intensity, cooldown) without being a fitness expert yourself.

For users who want maximum manual control, Seconds offers the most configuration options. And if you exclusively do Tabata workouts, the dedicated Tabata Timer keeps things focused.

The best HIIT timer is the one you'll actually use. If setup friction keeps you from working out, try an app that removes that friction entirely.