Last updated: February 2026
Both Box Timer and Seconds Pro are well-rated workout timer apps. Here is an honest comparison to help you choose the right one for your training.
Box Timer is completely free with no ads, designed to replicate the gym wall clock with a clean digital display. It focuses on simplicity.
Seconds Pro by Runloop is a paid app ($7.99) with advanced features like text-to-speech, Apple Health integration, and a stopwatch with lap tracking. It is ad-free and has no subscriptions.
| Box Timer | Seconds Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Workouts AMRAP EMOM Tabata For Time Custom Intervals | Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes | Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes |
| Price | Free | $7.99 |
| Ad free | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | None | None |
| Sound effects | Yes | Yes |
| Text-to-speech | No | Yes |
| Works with music | Yes | Yes |
| Workout history | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Health | No | Yes |
| Stopwatch with laps | No | Yes |
| Landscape mode | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Watch | No | Yes |
| Languages | 6 | 10 |
| App Store rating | 4.9 stars | 4.8 stars |
Box Timer is the right choice if you want zero upfront cost and zero ongoing friction. It covers every standard CrossFit WOD format — AMRAP, EMOM, For Time, and Tabata — with a gym-style digital display that is readable from across a garage gym. There are no ads, no in-app purchases, and no features gated behind a paywall.
If you primarily care about getting a timer running as fast as possible — three taps from opening the app to a running clock — Box Timer is built for that. The design philosophy is deliberately minimal: the timer is the app, not one feature among dozens.
Seconds Pro by Runloop is a premium interval timer with a feature set that goes well beyond Box Timer's scope. If you want text-to-speech coaching ("10 seconds remaining — get ready"), Apple Health integration to log your training sessions, or a stopwatch with lap splits for For Time workouts, Seconds Pro delivers all of that in a polished package.
Apple Watch support is a meaningful advantage if you coach or train with a wrist-mounted timer. Seconds Pro's Watch app lets you view and control your interval timer directly from your wrist — useful when a barbell or kettlebell is in your hands during a complex.
The $7.99 one-time purchase is a fair price for the feature depth. Seconds Pro has no subscription model and no ads — you pay once and own it, which is a reasonable trade-off for athletes who want the advanced capabilities.
EMOM (Every Minute On the Minute) is a core CrossFit format. Here is how to set up a 10-round EMOM on each app:
Box Timer
Seconds Pro
Seconds Pro's setup takes more steps but offers more customization — you can add named intervals, per-interval cues, and exercise notes. Box Timer's setup is faster and more suitable for athletes who want to start immediately without configuring workout details.
Box Timer is completely free — no ads, no subscription, no in-app purchases. It will remain free.
Seconds Pro is a one-time purchase of $7.99. There is no subscription and no ongoing cost after the initial purchase. It is ad-free and all features are included in the purchase price. Verify the current price in the App Store as pricing may change.
This comparison comes down to simplicity vs. depth. Box Timer is the fastest, simplest way to run a CrossFit-style workout on your iPhone at no cost. Seconds Pro is a more powerful tool that justifies its price for athletes who want text-to-speech, Apple Health logging, Apple Watch control, or stopwatch lap tracking.
For most athletes: start with Box Timer since it is free. If you find yourself wishing for voice coaching or Apple Watch integration, Seconds Pro is the natural upgrade.
Related: Best Workout Timer Apps for iPhone in 2026 · Box Timer vs SmartWOD · Box Timer vs Interval Timer · Box Timer vs Tabata Timer · Box Timer vs Tabata Stopwatch Pro
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