# Focus Matrix vs Kanban

Focus Matrix and Kanban both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 82% of Focus Matrix's written reviews are positive against 46% of Kanban's. Focus Matrix also leads on ratings volume (1.6K vs 280) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). Kanban's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 7 months). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Focus Matrix sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Kanban sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Focus Matrix against 4.5 for Kanban. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Focus Matrix has 1.6K ratings behind it against 280, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 82% of Focus Matrix's written reviews are positive against 46% of Kanban's.

Focus Matrix ships an update every 7 months, Kanban fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 14, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Focus Matrix | Kanban |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (1.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-matrix-task-manager/id1107872631/reviews)** | [4.5 (280 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kanban-doneit/id1540325366/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.6K** | 280 |
| Positive reviews | **82.2% of reviews** | 46.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Size | 33 MB | 205 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Denys Ievenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/427936468) | [DesignTech SIA](https://appshunter.io/developer/1540325368) |

## What reviewers say

### Focus Matrix

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-matrix-task-manager/id1107872631)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Pro | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly Pro | $17.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Pro | $34.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Keeps me on track
- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Helps prioritize tasks
- 👍 Integrates well with calendar
- 👍 Simple and effective

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Sync issues across devices
- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- 🔒 Security concerns with sync
- 💡 Need for more customization options
- 💡 Lacking recurring tasks

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- Ability to have multiple matrices (e.g. work, personal)
- Recurring tasks
- More export options (e.g. CSV)
- Dark mode
- Better sync reliability across devices


### Kanban

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kanban-doneit/id1540325366)

This app helps you organize daily to-dos, work projects, and goals with a simple, intuitive interface. It offers extensive customization and various views to manage tasks efficiently and see your progress clearly.

**Highlights:** Folders, categories, and tags for organization, Multiple task views (list, grid, board), Unlimited tasks and subtasks, Sync across devices via iCloud, Reminders and calendar integration, Customizable home screen and widgets, Dark mode and native design

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $14.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $14.99 | per year |
| Doneit Premium | $29.99 | one-time |
| Premium Lifetime | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Beautiful and clean UI design
- 🔧 Highly customizable with extensive options
- 📱 Cross-platform support (Mac, iPad, iPhone)
- 🏷️ Flexible task organization with tags, folders, categories
- 📊 Multiple view options (Kanban, timeline, grid, list)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and instability
- 🔄 Unreliable sync between devices
- ❌ Unintuitive and confusing user interface
- 📚 Lack of documentation and tutorials
- ⚠️ Data loss and disappearing tasks

**Reported bugs**

- Tasks disappear or get lost during sync
- Sync fails between Mac and iPhone/iPad
- Subtasks not syncing across devices
- Kanban board columns duplicating
- Timeline view broken with tiny blocks and poor layout

**Requested features**

- Drag and drop functionality for tasks and boards
- Better Kanban board implementation with custom column ordering
- Sample templates for new users
- Improved timeline view with zoom controls
- Export functionality (PDF, XLSX, CSV)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Focus Matrix free?

Focus Matrix is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Kanban free?

Kanban is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Focus Matrix or Kanban?

Focus Matrix is rated higher. Focus Matrix averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Kanban averages 4.5 from 280 ratings.

### Do Focus Matrix or Kanban have ads?

Focus Matrix shows ads; Kanban does not.

### Which is updated more often, Focus Matrix or Kanban?

Focus Matrix ships an update every 7 months, and Kanban fortnightly. Most recently, Focus Matrix was updated on October 14, 2026 and Kanban on October 14, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*