Comparison

Focus Matrix vs Task Buddy

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Focus Matrix

Organize your tasks efficiently using a priority matrix based on urgency and importance. This app helps you focus on what truly matters by categorizing tasks and providing tools for scheduling, reminders, and detailed tracking. Sync across devices and export your lists for seamless productivity.

Highlights
  • Eisenhower Box priority matrix
  • Task categorization and sorting
  • Drag-and-drop task management
  • Due dates and reminders
  • Recurring tasks
  • Cross-device synchronization
  • Task export to PDF
Features
Read full description

Focus Matrix is a smart personal organizer based on the so-called Eisenhower box, a personal productivity strategy created by Dwight Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States. The principle uses a special priority matrix that helps break your tasks into several groups depending on their urgency and importance, and work your way through your daily agenda in the most efficient way possible. This app will help you focus on what really matters, and get rid of the things that can be painlessly delegated to others or postponed indefinitely until you have time for them. Task Organization • Two views: Matrix and List of Sections • “Unsorted” section to hold incoming tasks until you categorize them • Move tasks between sections using drag-and-drop • Maximize sections to focus on specific content Task Scheduling and Reminders • Assign due dates to tasks • Set “All day task” for whole-day planning • Create recurring tasks with customizable repeat options • Set reminders to never miss an important deadline Advanced Task Features • Automatically move a task to 'Urgent' as its deadline approaches, with timely notifications • Automatically move a task to 'Urgent' when a linked task is completed • Track task creation and completion dates for detailed management • Paste multiline text as individual tasks to speed up input Sorting, Filtering, and Tags • Sort tasks by title, due date, or manually • Use tags to organize tasks effectively • Filter tasks by tags and statuses (completed/uncompleted) • Save and quickly apply custom filter presets for easy navigation Synchronization and Integration • Sync data across all your devices • Sync tasks with Calendar • Integrate with Be Focused*: Sync tasks between apps and start timer in Be Focused directly from Focus Matrix Exporting and Reporting • Export task lists to PDF or print them for offline use • Configurable statistics and reports for completed tasks Security and Privacy • Password and Face ID protection for secure task management Platform Compatibility • Fully available for Mac and iOS Pro Version Features • Cross-device synchronization • Synchronization of tasks with Calendar • Integration with Be Focused*: Sync tasks between apps and start timer in Be Focused directly from Focus Matrix Focus Matrix is free to download and use forever. However, if you want to access the Pro features on all your iPhones, iPads, and Macs, you can upgrade to the Pro version. The Pro subscription comes in three different options: Monthly, Yearly with a 7-day trial, and Lifetime (one-time payment). Payment will be charged to your App Store account and will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Subscription may be managed and auto-renewal may be turned off in your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://xwavesoft.com/privacy-policy.html Terms of Use: https://xwavesoft.com/terms-of-use.html * Be Focused helps you get things done by breaking up individual tasks among discrete intervals. It’s available for Mac and iOS devices in App Store. Integration with Be Focused requires the Pro version of Be Focused, sold separately.

About

Task Buddy

This task manager helps you prioritize and organize your to-do list using the Eisenhower Matrix. It visually categorizes tasks into four quadrants, guiding you to focus on what's important and eliminate distractions for increased productivity.

Highlights
  • Intuitive 4-Quadrant UI
  • Seamless iCloud Sync
  • Smart Carry-Over for pending tasks
  • Productivity Insights and charts
  • Home Screen Widgets
  • Workspaces & Tags for organization
  • JSON Export for data portability
Features
Read full description

Task Buddy: Priority Matrix & Focus Stop being busy. Start being productive. Do you ever feel like you’ve worked a full 24 hours but accomplished nothing on your long-term goals? The secret to high achievers isn't having more time—it's mastering priority management. Task Buddy is a sleek, intuitive task manager built on the world-renowned Eisenhower Matrix (popularized by Stephen Covey in First Things First). By categorizing your life into four simple quadrants based on Urgency and Importance, Task Buddy helps you visualize exactly where your energy should go and what you should eliminate. THE 4-QUADRANT METHOD Q1: Do First – Urgent & Important (Crises and deadlines) Q2: Schedule – Important, Not Urgent (Growth, planning, and long-term goals) Q3: Delegate – Urgent, Not Important (Interruptions and busy work) Q4: Eliminate – Neither (Distractions and time-wasters) WHY TASK BUDDY? Task Buddy isn't just another to-do list; it’s a decision-making engine. It forces you to prioritize every task you add, ensuring you spend more time in Quadrant 2—the zone of peak productivity and personal growth. KEY FEATURES Intuitive 4-Quadrant UI: A beautiful, color-coded matrix that gives you an instant birds-eye view of your day. Seamless iCloud Sync: Access your tasks anywhere. Sync effortlessly across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even Apple Vision Pro. Smart Carry-Over: Unfinished tasks don't just disappear. Task Buddy intelligently carries over pending items based on their quadrant priority. Productivity Insights: Visualize your progress with detailed charts showing tasks over time, status, and quadrant distribution. Home Screen Widgets: Keep your highest priorities front and center without even opening the app. Workspaces & Tags: Organize different areas of your life (Work, Personal, Side Project) using tags that generate custom workspaces. PRIVACY & PORTABILITY Your data belongs to you. Period. JSON Export: Take your data with you at any time. Data Control: Don't like the concept? Use our "Wipe Everything" feature to clear your data instantly. On-Device Intelligence: Fast, secure, and respectful of your privacy. Stop reacting to the loudest tasks and start focusing on the most important ones. Download Task Buddy today and master your time. Check our Terms of Use (EULA) here: https://kandelvijaya.github.io/Terms/EULA_TaskBuddy.html

Screenshots

Focus Matrix4 screens
Task Buddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Focus Matrix at 82% against Task Buddy's 25%. Focus Matrix also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.3) and ratings volume (1.6K vs 4). Task Buddy's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 7 months). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Focus Matrix sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Task Buddy sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Focus Matrix holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Focus Matrix has 1.6K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of Focus Matrix's written reviews are positive against 25% of Task Buddy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Focus Matrix ships an update every 7 months, Task Buddy every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and June 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Focus Matrix versus Task Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocus MatrixTask Buddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (1.6K ratings) — better3.3 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews82.2% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1.6K — better4
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDenys IevenkoVijaya Kandel

Customer experience

Focus Matrix

All ratings1,586 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral3.8%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews780 reviews
Positive82.2%
Neutral7.3%
Negative10.5%

Task Buddy

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

Focus Matrix

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Sync issues causing data loss
  • Frequent crashes
  • Inability to log in across devices
  • Calendar integration not working as expected

Requested features

7 requests
  • Ability to have multiple matrices (e.g. work, personal)
  • Recurring tasks
  • More export options (e.g. CSV)
  • Dark mode
  • Better sync reliability across devices
Show 2 more
  • Subtasks or nested tasks
  • Ability to archive completed tasks

Task Buddy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Focus Matrix

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pro$2.991 Month
  • Yearly Pro7 Days trial$17.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro$34.99
3 purchases

Task Buddy

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pro$2.991 Month
  • Yearly Pro$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro$19.99

Questions

Is Focus Matrix free?
Focus Matrix is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Task Buddy free?
Task Buddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Focus Matrix or Task Buddy?
Focus Matrix is rated higher. Focus Matrix averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Task Buddy averages 3.3 from 4 ratings.
Do Focus Matrix or Task Buddy have ads?
Focus Matrix shows ads; Task Buddy does not.
Which is updated more often, Focus Matrix or Task Buddy?
Focus Matrix ships an update every 7 months, and Task Buddy every 10 days. Most recently, Focus Matrix was updated on September 22, 2026 and Task Buddy on June 8, 2026.

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