If your intervals happen outside, on runs, walks or Japanese interval walking, Tempo is the better fit: it can end an interval by time, GPS distance or step count, and it is free with an ad before each workout. If you want an Apple Watch app, Android, voice cues that call out each interval by name, or a one-time price, Seconds is the stronger pick. On the US App Store, Seconds Pro is $7.99 once; Tempo Premium is $0.99 a week or $5.99 for lifetime access.
Seconds details come from the App Store pages for Seconds Interval Timer and Seconds Pro, checked on September 26, 2026.
Tempo vs Seconds at a glance
Seconds is one of the longest-running interval timers on the App Store: Seconds Pro launched in 2010, and the two apps have about 36,000 US ratings between them. Tempo launched in May 2026 and has one rating so far. Here is how they compare.
| Tempo | Seconds | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free with an ad before each workout; Premium $0.99/week or $5.99 lifetime | Free app plus a one-time $7.99 unlock, or Seconds Pro for $7.99 up front |
| Free version limit | A limited number of custom workouts | Each timer you make locks after its first run |
| Maker | Foggo Apps (me, Charles Chiejina) | Runloop Ltd |
| iPhone and iPad | Yes (requires iOS 26) | Yes (requires iOS 18) |
| Apple Watch | No | Yes, runs on the Watch by itself |
| Android | No | Yes |
| Interval end by | Time, GPS distance or steps | Time (distance and step intervals not listed) |
| Cues | Audio and haptic cues and countdowns over your music | Voice cues that name each interval, beeps or bells; your own music per timer or interval |
| Presets | HIIT, Tabata, running, walking, Japanese walking, jump rope, abs, boxing, hiking, mobility | HIIT, Tabata and circuit templates; chain timers into one |
| Live stats | Heart rate, calories and steps (Premium) | Calorie estimate with a heart rate monitor; saves workouts to Apple Health |
| Video mode | Front or back camera with a timer overlay (Premium) | Not listed |
| Languages | English | 10 |
| US App Store rating | 5.0 from 1 rating | Seconds 4.7 from about 23,700; Seconds Pro 4.8 from about 12,100 |
How is Seconds priced?
Seconds comes as two separate apps from Runloop. The free Seconds Interval Timer lets you build and run any timer, but each timer locks after you run it once; a single $7.99 in-app purchase removes the lock on every timer. Seconds Pro is the same app paid for up front at $7.99, with nothing to unlock. Purchases don't carry over between the two. On Google Play, Seconds Pro is $6.99. There is no subscription either way.
Where Seconds wins
- Apple Watch. Seconds runs on the Watch by itself, so your phone can stay in the locker. Tempo has no Watch app.
- Android, and older iPhones. Both Seconds apps are on Google Play, and on iOS they need iOS 18, while Tempo needs iOS 26.
- Voice cues and music. Seconds calls out each interval by name and lets you set music per timer or per interval.
- Gym and class tools. Compound timers, color-coded intervals readable across a room, a screen lock, a stopwatch and timer sharing.
- Track record. More than 15 years of updates, 10 languages, and tens of thousands of ratings.
- One price, once. $7.99 and you are done. Tempo's lifetime option is cheaper at $5.99, but its free version shows an ad before each workout.
What does Tempo do differently?
I built Tempo around one idea: an interval should be able to end by distance or steps, not only by the clock. It builds a session from work, rest, warmup and cooldown intervals with repeat groups and labels, and each interval can end by time, GPS distance or step count. It also has:
- A one-tap Japanese interval walking preset: 3 minutes fast, 3 minutes easy, for 30 minutes. I compared that method with a daily step goal in Japanese walking vs 10,000 steps.
- Presets for HIIT, Tabata, running, walking, jump rope, abs, boxing, hiking and mobility. If you are short on time, quick workouts that actually work has sessions that fit these presets.
- Audio and haptic cues and countdowns that play over your music instead of stopping it.
- A history of past sessions with splits, and one tap to redo a workout.
- With Premium, a video mode that overlays the timer on your front or back camera for form checks, plus live heart rate, calories and steps.
For the full walkthrough, see my Interval Timer: Tempo review or the Tempo app page.
Who should pick which?
Choose Seconds if you want to run timers from an Apple Watch, you use Android or an iPhone that can't run iOS 26, you coach classes or circuits and want voice cues and per-interval music, or you would rather pay once and never see an ad.
Choose Tempo if you train with your iPhone outdoors and want intervals by distance or steps, you do Japanese interval walking or run-walk sessions, or you want a free timer you can try before paying anything.
The bottom line
Seconds is a mature, well-reviewed timer, and it is the better choice for Apple Watch users, Android users and gym circuits. Tempo is the better fit if your intervals are measured in meters or steps as well as seconds, and if you want to start free.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tempo a good Seconds alternative?
Yes, if you train on iPhone or iPad and your intervals happen outdoors. Tempo can run intervals by time, GPS distance or steps, has a one-tap Japanese interval walking preset, and gives audio and haptic cues over your music. If you want a standalone Apple Watch app, Android, or a one-time price, Seconds is the better fit.
How much does Seconds Interval Timer cost?
On the US App Store (September 2026), Seconds Interval Timer is free to download, but each timer you build locks after you run it once; a one-time $7.99 in-app purchase unlocks every timer. Seconds Pro is the same app for $7.99 up front. Both are made by Runloop, and a purchase in one does not carry over to the other.
Is Tempo free?
Tempo is free to download, with an ad before a workout starts, and the free version limits how many custom workouts you can create. Tempo Premium costs $0.99 a week or $5.99 once for lifetime access, and adds unlimited custom workouts, no start ads, video mode, and live heart rate, calories and steps.
Which app is better for running and walking intervals?
Tempo, if you run or walk with your iPhone: it can end an interval by GPS distance or step count, not just time, and includes presets for running, walking, hiking and Japanese interval walking. If you prefer to leave your phone at home, Seconds runs on Apple Watch by itself, though its intervals are time-based.
First published . Updated September 26, 2026: checked Seconds and Seconds Pro prices, platforms and features against their App Store pages, spelled out exactly what each app's free version limits, added where Seconds wins, and cut copy repeated from the Tempo review.
