Biological clocks regulate the proper periodicity of several processes at the cellular and organismal level. The cell cycle and circadian rhythm are the best characterized among these but several other biological clocks function in cells at widely variable periodicity. The underlying molecular networks are controlled by delayed negative feedbacks, but the role of positive feedbacks and substrate-depletion has been also proposed to play crucial roles in the regulation of these processes. Here we will investigate which features of biological clocks might be important for their efficient timekeeping