INTERVAL / COMPARISONS
How Interval compares with other Mac meeting apps
Interval is a £15.99 one-time Mac meeting timer (two Macs, macOS 26+) that counts down to the start and end of each meeting, joins Zoom, Meet, Teams, Webex and FaceTime links and warns about overlaps. These pages compare it honestly with MeetingBar, Loon, In Your Face, Dato and Fantastical.
Written by Interval's maker.
Looking for recording alongside a timer? Compare private meeting transcription on Mac, including current one-time note-taker prices and recording limits.
How we compare
These comparisons use the linked product pages checked for the briefs on 17 October 2026. Prices can change; re-check before buying. This table states supported features; it does not turn undocumented behaviour into a claim of absence. For corrections, email support@meetinterval.com. About the maker.
Fact table
| App | Verified facts and limits |
|---|---|
| Interval | £15.99 once; two Macs; macOS 26+. Pay before download; no website trial. Start and end countdowns, orange “Overlaps with…” warnings, supported Teams links and manual notes. Zoom, Meet, Webex and FaceTime links too. The +5 min control extends your personal timer only. |
| MeetingBar | Free and open source (checked 17 October 2026); 50+ services. macOS 12+. Released-source countdown to the active event’s end or next event’s start, subject to display preferences. |
| Loon | $4.99/month or $3.99/month billed annually, approximately $48/year (checked 17 October 2026); seven-day trial. macOS 13+; Teams links shown but not joined in one click. Its pages disagree about the trial’s card requirement; confirm at checkout. |
| In Your Face | $69 once for the direct-download desktop version, $3.99/month or $24.99/year (checked 17 October 2026). Trial includes free alerts. Full-screen alerts and direct Google/Microsoft connections. |
| Dato | $18 once (checked 17 October 2026); website trial. Current App Store version needs macOS 26. Fullscreen meeting notifications and support for Zoom, Meet, Teams and 50+ other services. Its maker documents an upcoming event in the menu bar; this review makes no live start/end countdown claim. |
| Fantastical | Free tier plus Premium, with a 14-day Premium trial. The website’s Individual plan displayed £6.99/month or £5.00/month billed annually, checked 17 October 2026. See the maker’s page for your currency and plan. Join button and menu-bar Join icon. Optional remaining time for the current item in the Mac menu bar. |
Comparisons
- Interval vs MeetingBar
Stay with MeetingBar if free, open source, older macOS support or more meeting services matter most.
- Interval vs Loon
Stay with Loon if escalating alerts, starred meetings and focus blocks suit your day.
- Interval vs In Your Face
Stay with In Your Face if full-screen alerts, direct calendar connections or Windows support matter.
- Interval vs Dato
Stay with Dato if its menu-bar upcoming-event view and fullscreen notifications meet your needs.
- A meeting timer alongside Fantastical
Keep Fantastical for your calendar workflow; add a personal timer only if you need one.
- Pay-once meeting apps for Mac
Choose another app if a cheaper reminder or support for an older Mac fits better.
- Choose a Mac meeting timer by task
Keep a built-in or shared timer if that already does the job.
Practical guides: see time left in a meeting, keep a countdown outside the menu bar, understand Teams’ end reminder and spot double-booked meetings.
What Interval doesn't do
Interval does not schedule or reschedule meetings, track billable time, provide a shared team or room timer, or run on Windows. It reads Apple Calendar with permission and never edits invitations. Google and Outlook events must appear there first; there is no direct sign-in. Calendar processing stays on your Mac and you need no Interval account.
Questions
What's the difference from a menu-bar meeting app?
Interval keeps the start and end countdown at the screen edge, with manual notes beside it.
Which apps are free alternatives?
MeetingBar is free. Fantastical also has a free tier; check whether it covers the features you need.
How do you keep comparisons accurate?
We link dated source facts and leave unverified claims out. Please send corrections. Read the homepage questions or see the app workflow.