Tabata & HIIT Interval Timer
by Takahiro Torii · iPhone, iPad and Android · free
A simple interval timer. Set the work time, the rest time and the number of sets, and press start. A voice counts the last five seconds and calls each change, so you never have to look at the screen while you train.
It does one thing. There are no workout plans, no videos, no account and no subscription. It has been on the App Store since 2016, and it is known in Japan as HIIT & Tabata Timer - タバタタイマー.
At a glance
| Price | Free. No subscription, no in-app purchases, no account. |
|---|---|
| Ads | One small banner at the bottom of the screen. No full-screen or video ads. |
| Platforms | iPhone and iPad (iOS 13 or later), Android (8.0 or later) |
| Rating | 4.8 out of 5 from 10,896 ratings on the App Store in Japan; 4.8 from 256 in the United States (15 November 2026) |
| Settings | Ready time, work time, rest time, number of sets |
| Default | 10 s ready, 20 s work, 10 s rest, 8 sets — the standard Tabata protocol |
| Voice | Spoken countdown and cues, in English |
| Background | Keeps counting with the screen off or another app open |
| Music | Plays over your music or podcast without pausing or lowering it |
| Apple Health | Optional. Writes finished workouts when switched on; reads nothing. |
| Developer | Takahiro Torii, an independent developer in Japan |
| First released | October 2016 |
What people use it for
- Tabata and HIIT sessions
- Strength training and weight circuits, as a rest timer between sets
- Burpees, planks, mountain climbers, sprints
- Stretching, mobility and core work
- Boxing rounds, skipping, exercise bike and spinning
In the written App Store reviews, the reason people give most often for choosing it is that it is simple. Roughly a third of them say so, usually after trying a timer with more features.
What it does not do
It is worth being plain about this, because it decides whether the app is right for you.
- No saved presets. The app holds one setting at a time.
- No custom sequences, EMOM or AMRAP modes. Every set uses the same work and rest time.
- No Apple Watch or Wear OS app.
- No exercise library, coaching or workout plans.
- The voice is in English only.
If you want one timer you can start in two taps and stop thinking about, this is that. If you want to program complex workouts, look for a fuller interval timer.
Questions
Is it really free?
Yes. Every feature is free, with no subscription, in-app purchase or account. It is paid for by one small banner ad at the bottom of the screen. There are no full-screen or video ads.
Does it keep running when the screen is off?
Yes. The countdown and the voice continue in the background and with the screen locked. On iPhone (iOS 16.1 or later) the remaining time and a stop button appear on the Lock Screen; on Android the remaining time appears in a notification.
Can I listen to music at the same time?
Yes. Whatever is playing keeps playing at its own volume, and the voice is mixed over the top.
What can I change?
Ready time, work time, rest time and the number of sets. On iPhone each interval can be up to 120 seconds and a workout up to 40 sets. On Android each interval is 5 to 60 seconds and a workout 2 to 20 sets.
What is Tabata training?
After a warm-up, you alternate 20 seconds of all-out effort with 10 seconds of rest, eight times — four minutes in total. The protocol is named after Professor Izumi Tabata of Ritsumeikan University, whose research on it was published in 1996. The app starts on exactly these numbers.
What data does it collect?
There is no sign-up. The app stores the completion time of each workout under an anonymous identifier, and uses Firebase Analytics, Crashlytics and Google AdMob. It does not use location, contacts, the camera or the microphone. See the privacy policy.
Get the app
The name is close to several other apps. This one is published by Takahiro Torii; the App Store ID is 1166542235 and the Android package is com.tabatatimer.