Purple Sector
Lap timer apps compared
Lap timer apps compared for track days: Australian prices, phones, external GPS, export formats and video for RaceChrono, TrackAddict, Harry's and RaceBox.
All four time laps on a phone and offer predictive lap timing. The differences are price, external GPS support and what you can export. TrackAddict has a free iPhone edition. RaceChrono Pro and Harry’s are paid apps with wide sensor support. The RaceBox app is free but needs a RaceBox GPS. Exports from RaceChrono Pro, TrackAddict and RaceBox open in Purple Sector.
Purple Sector isn’t a lap timer: it opens the files these apps export and compares laps on a computer or phone browser. Purple Sector has no commercial relationship with any brand on this page.
How do they compare?
Prices checked 23 October 2026 on the Australian App Store and Google Play.
| RaceChrono | TrackAddict | Harry’s LapTimer | RaceBox app | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phones | iOS (Pro), Android (free and Pro) | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS 14+, Android 10+, Apple silicon Mac |
| Price, AU (as of 23 Oct 2026) | Pro: A$29.99 iOS, A$31.99 Android. Free Android app with in-app purchases | iOS: free edition; Pro A$14.99 | iOS: Rookie A$14.99, Petrolhead A$29.99, Grand Prix A$44.99 | Free; cloud video storage from A$5.99 |
| Free tier limits | Free Android app: no data export | Free iOS: 3 recordings, no live telemetry, adds a logo | No free lap-timing edition | Needs RaceBox hardware |
| External GPS | RaceBox Mini/Mini S/Micro, Dragy, Qstarz, VBOX Sport, Garmin GLO | XGPS160/150, Garmin GLO, Qstarz, Racebox Pro (racebox.cc) | RaceBox, XGPS160, VBOX Sport, Qstarz | RaceBox only |
| Fastest GPS rate stated | 25 Hz (RaceBox) | 20 Hz | 25 Hz (RaceBox); over 20 Hz needs Grand Prix | 25 Hz |
| OBD-II | Yes, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (Pro) | Yes, plus CAN (HP Tuners MPVI3) | Yes (OBDLink MX+, CX, PLX Kiwi) | Not yet |
| Export | Pro: CSV, VBO, NMEA, ODS; GPX on iOS; share as .rcz | CSV, VBO, GPX, KML | VBO (per its release notes) | CSV, VBO, GPX, from racebox.pro |
| Video | Internal camera; GoPro remote control | HD video with data overlay; GoPro start/stop | Petrolhead and up; GoPro and MultiCam in Grand Prix | Live video; overlay on action-camera footage |
| Analysis on the phone | Predictive timing, delta graph, sectors, optimal lap | Predictive timing, sectors, theoretical lap, lap comparison | Predictive timing, charts | Compare two laps, sectors, predictive mode, G-G plot |
| Track library | 2,600+, incl. Phillip Island and Queensland Raceway | 1,000+, incl. Mount Panorama and Phillip Island | 1,000+, with an Australian & NZ track set | 2,000+ |
| Desktop app | No ("only exists on mobile devices") | No; exports to RaceRender (separate product) | None found | Apple silicon Mac |
| Opens in Purple Sector | VBO, CSV, .rcz | CSV, VBO | CSV, VBO, GPX, shared .hlptr | VBO, CSV, or Bluetooth from a Mini S/Micro |
RaceChrono
- Phones
- iOS (Pro), Android (free and Pro)
- Price, AU (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- Pro: A$29.99 iOS, A$31.99 Android. Free Android app with in-app purchases
- Free tier limits
- Free Android app: no data export
- External GPS
- RaceBox Mini/Mini S/Micro, Dragy, Qstarz, VBOX Sport, Garmin GLO
- Fastest GPS rate stated
- 25 Hz (RaceBox)
- OBD-II
- Yes, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (Pro)
- Export
- Pro: CSV, VBO, NMEA, ODS; GPX on iOS; share as .rcz
- Video
- Internal camera; GoPro remote control
- Analysis on the phone
- Predictive timing, delta graph, sectors, optimal lap
- Track library
- 2,600+, incl. Phillip Island and Queensland Raceway
- Desktop app
- No ("only exists on mobile devices")
- Opens in Purple Sector
- VBO, CSV, .rcz
TrackAddict
- Phones
- iOS, Android
- Price, AU (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- iOS: free edition; Pro A$14.99
- Free tier limits
- Free iOS: 3 recordings, no live telemetry, adds a logo
- External GPS
- XGPS160/150, Garmin GLO, Qstarz, Racebox Pro (racebox.cc)
- Fastest GPS rate stated
- 20 Hz
- OBD-II
- Yes, plus CAN (HP Tuners MPVI3)
- Export
- CSV, VBO, GPX, KML
- Video
- HD video with data overlay; GoPro start/stop
- Analysis on the phone
- Predictive timing, sectors, theoretical lap, lap comparison
- Track library
- 1,000+, incl. Mount Panorama and Phillip Island
- Desktop app
- No; exports to RaceRender (separate product)
- Opens in Purple Sector
- CSV, VBO
Harry’s LapTimer
- Phones
- iOS, Android
- Price, AU (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- iOS: Rookie A$14.99, Petrolhead A$29.99, Grand Prix A$44.99
- Free tier limits
- No free lap-timing edition
- External GPS
- RaceBox, XGPS160, VBOX Sport, Qstarz
- Fastest GPS rate stated
- 25 Hz (RaceBox); over 20 Hz needs Grand Prix
- OBD-II
- Yes (OBDLink MX+, CX, PLX Kiwi)
- Export
- VBO (per its release notes)
- Video
- Petrolhead and up; GoPro and MultiCam in Grand Prix
- Analysis on the phone
- Predictive timing, charts
- Track library
- 1,000+, with an Australian & NZ track set
- Desktop app
- None found
- Opens in Purple Sector
- CSV, VBO, GPX, shared .hlptr
RaceBox app
- Phones
- iOS 14+, Android 10+, Apple silicon Mac
- Price, AU (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- Free; cloud video storage from A$5.99
- Free tier limits
- Needs RaceBox hardware
- External GPS
- RaceBox only
- Fastest GPS rate stated
- 25 Hz
- OBD-II
- Not yet
- Export
- CSV, VBO, GPX, from racebox.pro
- Video
- Live video; overlay on action-camera footage
- Analysis on the phone
- Compare two laps, sectors, predictive mode, G-G plot
- Track library
- 2,000+
- Desktop app
- Apple silicon Mac
- Opens in Purple Sector
- VBO, CSV, or Bluetooth from a Mini S/Micro
Which one suits me?
- You want free, on an iPhone: TrackAddict’s free edition, if three stored recordings is enough. Exports are CSV, VBO, GPX or KML.
- You already own a RaceBox: the RaceBox app is free, and RaceChrono and Harry’s also support RaceBox devices.
- You want OBD engine data with the laps: RaceChrono Pro, TrackAddict or Harry’s. The RaceBox app doesn’t read OBD yet.
- You’re on Android and want exports: RaceChrono Pro (A$31.99). The free RaceChrono app doesn’t export.
- You want video with overlays on the phone: TrackAddict, Harry’s Petrolhead or Grand Prix, or the RaceBox app.
Is a phone’s own GPS good enough?
It depends on the recording. Purple Sector needs position at least once a second and a speed channel for a corner debrief, and limits coaching to speed comparisons below 5 Hz. Faster GPS, such as an external receiver at up to 25 Hz, can support more detail where the recording provides the evidence. More in What GPS data can and cannot tell you.
How do I analyse what I recorded?
Whatever app you record with, the steps are the same: export the whole session (not one lap), copy it to your computer, open it, pick two laps. Guides per app: RaceChrono export · TrackAddict export · Harry’s LapTimer export · RaceBox data export
Questions
Which lap timer app is free?
TrackAddict has a free iPhone edition, limited to three stored recordings, and a free Android app with paid upgrades. The RaceBox app is free but needs a RaceBox GPS. RaceChrono’s free Android app doesn’t export data, and Harry’s has no free lap-timing edition.
RaceChrono or TrackAddict?
Both time laps, read OBD-II and export VBO and CSV. RaceChrono Pro is a one-off A$29.99 on iPhone and lists more GPS receivers, up to 25 Hz. TrackAddict has a free iPhone edition and a A$14.99 Pro upgrade, with GPS up to 20 Hz.
RaceBox app or RaceChrono?
The RaceBox app is free with a RaceBox device and exports from the RaceBox website. RaceChrono Pro costs A$29.99 on iPhone, works with RaceBox and other receivers, and adds OBD-II. RaceChrono Pro supports RaceBox devices, so a RaceBox owner can use either app.
Can I analyse these laps on a computer?
RaceChrono has no desktop app, and TrackAddict hands its data to RaceRender, a separate product. Export the session as VBO or CSV and open it on the computer: RaceChrono suggests Circuit Tools, and Purple Sector opens these files in a browser.
Which app works with Australian tracks?
RaceChrono lists Phillip Island and Queensland Raceway, TrackAddict lists Mount Panorama and Phillip Island, and Harry’s has an Australian & NZ track set.
More: Garmin Catalyst vs RaceBox vs AiM Solo 2 · How to compare laps · Motorcycle lap timers compared · Track day telemetry for beginners · Optimal lap time
Sources, checked 23 October 2026
- RaceChrono platforms, OBD-II, exports (Pro only), video, analysis: racechrono.com
- RaceChrono Pro iOS A$29.99; receivers; GPX exporter: apps.apple.com/au/app/racechrono-pro/id1129429340
- RaceChrono Pro Android A$31.99; 2,600+ tracks: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.racechrono.pro&gl=AU
- Free RaceChrono Android app with in-app purchases: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.racechrono.app
- RaceBox at 25 Hz in RaceChrono; .rcz sharing; no desktop app; VBO to Circuit Tools: racechrono.com/support
- RaceChrono Australian tracks: my.racechrono.com/tracks?country=Australia
- TrackAddict free iOS edition limits; Pro A$14.99; 1,000+ circuits: apps.apple.com/au/app/id632355692
- TrackAddict features; video with overlay; exports to RaceRender: racerender.com/TrackAddict/Features.html
- TrackAddict receivers up to 20 Hz; OBD-II and CAN; GoPro start/stop: racerender.com/TrackAddict/docs/Interop.html
- TrackAddict exports CSV, GPX, KML and VBO: racerender.com/TrackAddict/docs/GettingStarted.html
- TrackAddict Australian tracks: racerender.com/TrackAddict/docs/TrackList.html
- Harry’s LapTimer Rookie A$14.99: apps.apple.com/au/app/harrys-laptimer-rookie/id307688598
- Harry’s LapTimer Petrolhead A$29.99; VBO export in its release notes: apps.apple.com/au/app/id338257907
- Harry’s LapTimer Grand Prix A$44.99: apps.apple.com/au/app/id363556704
- Harry’s editions, video, GPS over 20 Hz, 1,000+ tracks; no free lap-timing edition: gps-laptimer.de/products
- Harry’s receivers and OBD adapters: gps-laptimer.de/compatibility/ios
- RaceBox app platforms and features: racebox.pro/products/mobile-app
- RaceBox app free; Apple silicon Mac; cloud storage from A$5.99: apps.apple.com/au/app/id1521988789
- RaceBox OBD not yet; works with RaceChrono and Harry’s: racebox.pro/info/faq
- RaceBox exports CSV, VBO and GPX from its website: racebox.pro/info/session-export