# Bento: The Do Less Timer — user reviews > 117 indexed App Store user reviews of Bento by Keep Productive Ltd, rated 4.10/5 from 322 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bento-the-do-less-timer/id1595945715/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bento-the-do-less-timer/id1595945715.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 211 · 4★ 32 · 3★ 24 · 2★ 13 · 1★ 42 ## What do users think of Bento? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 🚀 Helps focus on important tasks - 🎨 Beautiful and calming design - 🕰️ Useful Pomodoro-style timer - 📚 Bento methodology is insightful - 👍 Simple and easy to use **Cons** - 🐛 App freezes and crashes frequently - 🔋 Drains battery quickly - 💰 Paid app now requires subscription - 🔇 Limited music/sound options - 🤔 Confusing or unintuitive UI **Commonly reported bugs** - Titles randomly deleted - Timer stops working unexpectedly - Switching themes doesn't work - Accessibility issues **Most requested features** - Add more music/sound options - Implement a widget for quick access - Allow customization of Bento templates - Sync tasks across devices - Add an Apple Watch app ## Newest reviews (12 of 117) ### 2/5 — Don’t understand the pricing *2026-08-20* The app showed there is a discounted price of 499/- . On selection , it shows 799/- for the first year and then 999 later . During payment - autopay goes for 999/- . Which one is correct ? **Developer response:** Thanks so much for flagging, we're having some issues sorting pricing, aiming to fix. Can you email francesco@keepproductive.com so I can take a look! :) ### 3/5 — Beautiful, but pushy *2026-05-24, version 2.0.14* The app is gorgeous but they really push you hard to subscribe before you've even got to see the demo/free version, and they hit you with emotional manipulations too. Really cheapens the experience. ### 2/5 — Used to be great *2026-05-15, version 2.0.14* This used to be great. Then they moved to a subscription model and added a lot of distracting stuff. The app used to be good because of its simplicity. Now it became cluttered. I don’t need it to suggest that I drink green tea. I guess I’m back with the Forest app. ### 3/5 — White noise everywhere and the audios dont loop automatically *2026-05-08, version 2.0.14* I have to keep pressing the play button if i want the “lofi” ir any other sound during the session ### 3/5 — Bento Benedict *2026-02-23, version 2.0.14* I first purchased this app when it was launched, and now they are asking for a subscription fee. Please be cautious. It's disappointing when policies change unexpectedly. UPDATE: I reached out to the developers, and they seem truly committed to supporting their original users who believed in this project. I'm pleased to share that I was smoothly moved to V2 without any issues. The reason for the 3-star rating is that I'm still dubious about how long this will last. If the developer fulfills his promise, I will change my rating to 5 stars. ### 3/5 — Asks me to buy subscription every 30 seconds *2026-02-18* I know that ur a company and want money but every few seconds is too much please understand and take my review in a positive way other than that this app is amazing **Developer response:** Hi Sairum - thanks for the message. We don't fire as often as seconds, maybe there's something wrong. Please pop us a line: francesco@keepproductive.com - more than happy to explore. ### 4/5 — A little confusing but really helps my ADHD *2026-02-13, version 2.0.13* I tend to get overwhelmed by how much time I need to spend on a task. The bento method really helps with that. ### 3/5 — Can’t turn off music with free version; mandatory rating *2026-01-06, version 2.0.12* Not sure if it’s because of the free version(I don’t want to pay and that’s not the issue) but I can’t turn the music off or change it. There is mandatory background music. You would be better off creating this in notion with a YouTube video rather than downloading this app. They also FORCE you to rate the session. There is too much mandatory stuff in this app. I truly hate that. Gave it 3 because it could be helpful to someone if you turn your volume down and don’t mind being forced to rate every single session ### 5/5 — Nice Updates *2025-10-12, version 2.0.2* I like this app for it’s simplicity. Built in task timer, the ability to break up a task into smaller chunks, and the ability to save routines that you can kind of use like legos to build your day. The relaxing vibes are a bonus! ### 4/5 — Bento - A New Focus *2025-10-08, version 2.0.2* Bento has been updated to offer a lot more than the original version. The gamification of streaks promotes regular use and insight into one’s habits. The suggestions are really useful to block similar tasks together. I would like to see more sounds or Lo-Fi beats when the focus timer is running. It would also be good to have an Apple Watch app to get me away from my distracting iPhone. Overall, Bento has been given the positive upgrade it deserves. I’m excited to see how Bento grows over the next year. ### 2/5 — Misslungenes Update *2025-10-07, version 2.0.2* Vor dem großen Update 2.0 (2025) WAR die App eine aufgeräumte, freundliche und äußerst hilfreiche Anwendung, die ich gern benutzt habe. Nun verlangt die App, bevor man überhaupt irgendetwas machen kann, die Beantwortung zahlreicher, recht persönlicher Fragen und eine Registrierung. Dazu sammelt die App viele für die Funktion unnötige Daten (bitte unten nachlesen). Auch gibt es jetzt ein Abo-Modell. Eine „Spitzen-Kombination“. Die versprochene Lösung für „early supporters“ gibt es, wenn man hübsch „bitte bitte“ sagt und den Entwickler nicht allzu sehr kritisiert. Erster Eindruck von der neuen Version: Viel unübersichtlicher als die alte, auch viel zuviele Optionen. Das Ganze wirkt fast wie ein ironischer Kommentar zu der Problematik ADHS/ADHD, die die App ja eigentlich adressieren will. Den zweiten Stern gibt es als Ermutigung für den Entwickler, wieder zur Einfachheit und Entspanntheit der alten Version zurückzufinden. Weitere Sterne folgen gerne, falls sich die App wieder etwas ruhiger und weniger neugierig entwickelt. ### 5/5 — Bewertung wird überarbeitet *2025-10-06, version 2.0.2* Ich gehöre zu den early supporters und berichte hier in Kürze zur neuen App. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Paid for this now it requires a subscription *2026-04-16, version 2.0.14* I don’t want a subscription just make me pay 20 dollars to have it forever! Considering I already paid for it I think that’s a reasonable request!!! ### 1/5 — Changed to subscription, yuck *2026-04-08, version 2.0.14* I am pretty sure I got this app a long time ago and had features that are now locked behind subscription! It was so simple and perfect before now it’s just a countdown timer with a lot of pop ups in the UI for me to subscribe. I am sure I used to be able to change the background to the other Japanese aesthetic stuff, now I’m just annoyed ### 1/5 — WTF, why do I have to pay? *2026-03-30, version 2.0.14* I bought this app 3 years ago outright. There was zero support or development post release and all of a sudden you update it and I have to pay? Why? Early adopters should at least have access to the app they paid for, or grandfather in early adopters and let us use it without paying. You have a massive user base that you really ought to consider instead of looking at new customers. ### 1/5 — No good now *2026-03-02, version 2.0.14* This app used to be good and then they completely changed it and made it about focus rather than breaking down tasks. Not able to use anymore. ### 1/5 — Big letdown *2025-12-04, version 2.0.7* The small medium and big goal system felt like a breath of fresh air. I loved the app and style of bento. It’s been years and I was hoping for updates but we never got it. While still watching your YouTube I kept wondering why did you let go of the development of such a neat methodology that I started using in Notion by finding your templates. But why? And what for? To redesign an app into making a timer? Like we don’t have any timer apps by this time? If you really want to make something meaningful by helping us being productive. You already made the biggest work by creating the system, just give us the updated and polished version of it. We didn’t even really had a chance to dive deep and enjoy it. But maybe you will think about it? ### 1/5 — Another redesign hater *2025-11-12* The redesign has essentially made the app unusable. It’s incredibly sad. I feel its original simple design was one of its strongest features. So many apps have enough features that you can spend the whole time you were meant to be working on something just fidgeting with it. Bento used to be different. But now it’s most basic feature is behind a pay wall and there’s a million flashing tools and pop ups and other typical distractions that led me to delete other apps. I know I’m not alone in feeling this way so I hope there is a way to integrate what your user base wants and what you guys have already worked so hard on. It feels a little like other reviewers with similar feelings aren’t being heard or at least there’s not a lot the team seems willing or able to do in response. Nevertheless I thought I’d add another dissent to the pile and hope that compromise is out there. **Developer response:** Ping us a line - Francesco@keepproductive.com - let me see if I can help in any way! ### 1/5 — SUCH A LET DOWN *2025-10-14, version 2.0.2* im so sad right now, I LOVED this app for my to do lists! I remember I PAID to be able the features on this app, I’m unable to use any of them because you guys want to charge monthly for them now? So everyone who’s already paid for this app got scammed out of their money. Such a disappointment… ### 1/5 — ADHD friendly but like. In a fake way. *2025-10-03* Ironically in their quest with this update to make it more adhd friendly it’s actually too overwhelming for me to use now. I do not need 30 AI features and suggestions and statistics as soon as I open an app where I could previously just set up my next couple of tasks and get on with it. There are too many doohickies and pages to navigate and eveytime I try to input something I get told I should pay for a subscription. And judging by all the other reviews their previous supporters feel the same way- It feels almost tone deaf. Y’all shoulda just made a different app and left this one alone instead of virtue signaling tbh. **Developer response:** Ping us a line - Francesco@keepproductive.com - let me see if I can help in any way! ### 1/5 — Subscriptions are not “the future” *2025-10-03, version 2.0.2* Barely anything is worth a subscription these days, let alone yet another man trying to also sell you paid productivity courses. There’s great free options for both out there. And Francesco if you’re reading this don’t reply with your email and and “exclusive discount” or whatever. You had a cool idea, but subscription apps and subscription “courses” are just like all the rest. Not worth. ### 1/5 — Paid app + Subscription *2025-10-01, version 2.0.2* I paid $5 for this app, now you want me want me to also pay you for a subscription FOR THE FEATURES I HAD ALREADY PAID FOR?!?!?! The focus boxes were my favorite part which is why i was willing to pay for it. Now you want me to pay MONTHLY for what I already paid for. Greedy Scammers!!! ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Bento - A New Focus *2026-06-13, version 2.0.14* Bento has been updated to offer a lot more than the original version. The gamification of streaks promotes regular use and insight into one’s habits. The suggestions are really useful to block similar tasks together. The latest update makes Bento well polished and I really do appreciate the new themes and background music. Thank you for being awesome! ### 5/5 — The interface needs to be improved *2026-03-30* They give old users who buy the app free subscription, you just need to wait for the email in patience. The new version is better than the old one in general cause it provides routine templates for people to use and a timer for single use, while keeping the three-task bento. Here are the two suggestions: First, adding more task templates meaning that people need to spend more time to decide which to use, which is not good for people who already have management issue. I suggest provide a search area in the bento and routine to reduce time waste. Second, the blogs on the official website are actually good. It will be nice to provide templates based on those materials, like planning for a researcher, thesis writing planning, and coding etc. Overall, it is still a nice app to deal with ADHD and procrastination! **Developer response:** Thanks for all these notes. We tend to get to emails within 48 hours, as we're a small team. Good to have all this feedback - thanks so much! ### 5/5 — Get everything done but without stress *2026-01-22* I’ve tried plenty of focus timers, but Bento is the first one that actually feels sustainable. Most apps just give you another long list to feel stressed about, but the "three-task" limit is a game-changer for staying realistic and avoiding burnout. The interface is stunning and the themes are genuinely calming—it makes a work session feel much more intentional rather than just another chore. It’s rare to find a productivity tool that feels this mindful. If you’re looking for a way to stay on track without the usual "to-do list paralysis," this is definitely the way to go. **Developer response:** We're so glad you love it - we appreciate your support! // Francesco from the Bento Team ### 5/5 — Nice Update *2026-01-03, version 2.0.12* I’m enjoying the revised version of Bento. Works well, has beautiful sounds, and the layout doesn’t seem too cluttered to me at all. It has all the features one would expect a great focus timer to have. ### 5/5 — A fun way to focus! *2026-01-01* Bento focus has been so helpful for structuring my time for focusing on things I want to get done. There are a lot of really helpful suggested routines that help me get in the right frame of mind for focusing, and I love the simple concept of picking three things to work on with timers. The background music and visuals are also nice additions. I honestly think using this app is fun and I feel so much more excited to get things done! It has definitely reduced procrastination for me and made me more productive. **Developer response:** Glad you're enjoying it, we're going to make things even more fun in 2026. Thanks again! Francesco & the Bento team. ### 5/5 — Great focus app *2025-11-28, version 2.0.5* They care about their customers and helped right away. I’m eager to see what the app can grow into. ### 5/5 — Focussing for self-care *2025-11-27, version 2.0.5* I’ve so many tasks to attend to and this app has helped me attend to them with quality, one at a time. When I have my earphones on at work my colleagues know not to disturb me (and they know I’m not doing something non-work related as they can see the app on display 😊). I feel much more calm and proud of my work. ### 5/5 — Focus timer that calms me *2025-11-27, version 2.0.5* For the first time in ages, I feel much calmer than I do using other apps. The calming koi in the themes and the way the routines works feel less intense than other apps. ### 5/5 — Beautiful app, good for focus *2025-11-12, version 2.0.3* I really enjoy using this app for deep work. The combination of the beautiful Japanese artwork and the calming music helps me to focus. I don’t really use the ADHD features, but that’s fine—I found a way for the app to work for me. The developer is also really responsive to feedback. ### 5/5 — Outstanding! *2025-11-12, version 2.0.3* This is a great app for my focus! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-31.*