The best replacement for timer is thread.

The best alternatives to timer are rated as following:
★★★★★  thread
★★★★★  counter
★★★★  stopwatch
★★★  thread.sleep
★★★  backgroundworker
★★  scheduledexecutorservice
★★  alarm
★★  timertask
★★  handler android
★★  dispatchertimer
★  franklin covey
★  clock
★  alarmmanager android
★  thread java
★  day runner
★  thread.sleep c#
★  thread sleep
★  enterframe
★  task c#
★  electronic timer
★  thermostat
★  sleep c#
  photo cell
  case
  enter_frame
  ospf hello timer
  pact timer
  digital timer
  aqua puss
  dusk to dawn sensor
  off delay timer
  watch
  boost controller

Your alternative for timer is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about timer, one probably shouldn't forget about alarm.

Other search terms related to timer and their ratings are:
★★★★★ alarm
★★★ buzzer
★ remote control
★ bomb
★ light
★ relay
bell
transformer
lights
photocell
You have in mind a companion for timer and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of timer in all years. Click on graph for more.
timer
thread
counter