Last updated: February 2026
Both Box Timer and SmartWOD are great workout timers! You can compare both apps down below, but these are some subjective differences to consider before choosing.
Box Timer have a design that looks like the classic timer at a gym, it's easy to see the time and the settings are the same ones that you are used to.
SmartWOD have a more digital design that makes it more like any other app on your phone, this could be good if you're not familiar with the timers at gyms.
| Box Timer | SmartWOD | |
|---|---|---|
| Workouts AMRAP EMOM Tabata For Time Custom Intervals | Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes | Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes |
| Price | Free | Free & Paid |
| Ad free | Yes | Paid only |
| In-app purchases | None | Yes |
| Sound effects | Yes | Yes |
| Works with music | Yes | Yes |
| Workout history | Yes | Yes |
| Landscape mode | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Watch | No | Yes |
| Languages | 6 | 8 |
| App Store rating | 4.9 stars | 4.9 stars |
Box Timer is the better fit if you want a completely free, no-strings timer that never asks you to pay or upgrade. The gym-style digital display — large numbers, a subtle glow effect — is designed to mimic the wall clock at a CrossFit box, so everything feels familiar from your first rep. If your training includes AMRAP, EMOM, For Time, and Tabata and you want all four formats in one free app, Box Timer covers them all without a paywall.
Box Timer is also the better choice if you train in a garage gym or anywhere you need your phone to double as the box clock. The landscape mode turns the screen into a large full-screen display you can see from across the room, and beeps play over your music without interrupting playback.
SmartWOD is worth considering if Apple Watch integration is a priority. Being able to glance at your wrist during a heavy barbell complex — or control the timer without touching your phone — is a meaningful advantage in a CrossFit setting. SmartWOD also supports eight languages compared to Box Timer's six, which matters if you coach athletes internationally.
If you prefer a more conventional app aesthetic over the gym-clock look, SmartWOD's interface will feel more at home alongside your other apps. The trade-off is cost: the free tier is ad-supported, and removing ads requires a paid upgrade.
Both apps support AMRAP natively. Here is how you would set up a 20-minute AMRAP on each:
Box Timer
SmartWOD
Both take roughly the same number of taps. Box Timer keeps the same settings until you change them, which is useful if you run the same workout multiple days in a row.
Box Timer is free with no ads, no subscriptions, and no in-app purchases. Every feature is available from day one.
SmartWOD offers a free tier that includes ads. Removing ads and unlocking the full feature set requires a paid upgrade. Check the App Store listing for current pricing, as it may change.
For most CrossFit athletes and HIIT practitioners, Box Timer is the straightforward choice: it is fully free, covers every standard WOD format, and looks like the clock you are used to seeing on the gym wall.
Choose SmartWOD if Apple Watch integration is non-negotiable for your training. It is a well-built app and the Apple Watch companion adds genuine value — just expect to pay for the ad-free experience.
Related: Best Workout Timer Apps for iPhone in 2026 · Box Timer vs Interval Timer · Box Timer vs Seconds Pro · Box Timer vs Tabata Timer · Box Timer vs Tabata Stopwatch Pro
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