Roundup — Free apps
The best free FPV lap timer apps
You don't need a transponder system to know your lap times. These are the free (or free-to-start) lap timer apps for FPV pilots on iPhone and Android, grouped by how they detect a lap and what you need to get going.
Updated October 4, 2026
Disclosure: we make FPV Lap Timer. We've tried to describe every app fairly, using each developer's own listing. Pricing and features change, so check the store page before you commit.
Quick comparison
| App | Detects laps by | Platforms | Extra hardware |
|---|---|---|---|
| FPV Lap Timer | Phone camera | iPhone, Android | None — just a tripod |
| TinyFpvTimer | Phone camera | iPhone, Apple-silicon Mac | None |
| RaceGow CAM Timer | Phone camera (in the browser) | Any phone with a web browser | None |
| FPVSIM Timer | VTx signal (RSSI) via FPVSIM hardware | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux | FPVSIM timer unit (sold separately) |
| Rotorama Laptimer | Microphone (motor sound) | iOS, Android | None |
| Handsfree LapTimer – FPV + RC | Voice-controlled stopwatch | iPhone | None |
The apps
Our app (full disclosure). On-device computer vision watches a gate and records a lap on every crossing, with voice callouts, session history and screen recording. Works with analog, HDZero, Walksnail and DJI because it watches the quad, not the video signal.
- Method
- Phone camera
- Platforms
- iPhone, Android
- What's free
- Lap timing is free; Premium subscription adds ghost racing, analytics and fleet specs
A camera timer built around micro drones and tight indoor courses. You place the phone about a metre from the start/finish gate.
- Method
- Phone camera
- Platforms
- iPhone, Apple-silicon Mac
- What's free
- Free version with no sign-up; one-time lifetime Premium purchase
A web-based camera timer built for RaceGOW, with adjustable sensitivity and trigger delay. Its author describes it as an early-alpha hobby project, so expect some rough edges.
- Method
- Phone camera (in the browser)
- Platforms
- Any phone with a web browser
- What's free
- Free, open source
A cross-platform app paired with FPVSIM's solo or multi-pilot timer hardware. A good fit if you want a dedicated RF timer and can buy the hardware.
- Method
- VTx signal (RSSI) via FPVSIM hardware
- Platforms
- iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux
- What's free
- Free tier with a daily cap on lap announcements; paid licences unlock more
Detects laps from the sound of your quad passing the phone, so it's an option where a camera can't see the gate well. The retailer lists the product page as discontinued, so check that it still runs on your phone.
- Method
- Microphone (motor sound)
- Platforms
- iOS, Android
- What's free
- Free to download
Not an automatic timer: you call out laps by voice while wearing goggles. Simple, but only as accurate as your timing.
- Method
- Voice-controlled stopwatch
- Platforms
- iPhone
- What's free
- Free
Which one should you pick?
- Solo practice, no hardware, iPhone or Android: a camera timer like FPV Lap Timer.
- Indoor whoop sessions: camera timers work well. See our Tiny Whoop timing guide for setup tips.
- Racing RaceGOW tracks: any reliable timer works. See the RaceGOW lap timer guide.
- Club nights with several pilots in the air: an RSSI system such as FPVSIM's hardware or a DIY RotorHazard build, since it can tell pilots apart by video channel.
Not an app, but free: DIY timers
If you like building things, open-source RSSI timers such as PhobosLT(single pilot, ESP32 + RX5808) and RotorHazard (multi-pilot) cost only the parts. You'll need some soldering and calibration time, but the software is free.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free FPV lap timer app?
Yes. FPV Lap Timer (iPhone and Android), TinyFpvTimer (iPhone) and the browser-based RaceGow CAM Timer all time laps for free using your phone's camera, with no extra hardware.
How do FPV lap timer apps detect laps?
There are three main methods. Camera apps watch a gate and detect the quad crossing it. RSSI apps pair with a receiver that measures your video transmitter's signal peak as you pass. Sound-based apps listen for the motors. Camera apps need no hardware and work with any video system.
Which free lap timer app works on Android?
FPV Lap Timer runs on Android as well as iPhone, and browser-based timers like RaceGow CAM Timer work on any phone. FPVSIM's app also runs on Android but needs their timer hardware.
Do I need a transponder or extra hardware to time FPV laps?
No. Camera-based apps only need your phone and something to hold it still, such as a tripod. Transponders and RSSI timers are useful for multi-pilot race events, but you don't need them for solo practice.
Are camera lap timers accurate?
With the phone mounted solidly and the gate framed side-on against a calm background, camera timers are consistent enough for practice and personal-best tracking. Accuracy drops if the phone moves or busy motion crosses the frame.
Time your next session with your phone.
FPV Lap Timer is free on iPhone and Android. Point the camera at a gate, hit Start, and every crossing becomes a lap.