Comparison

Focus Matrix vs Ikigai DIY

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

Ikigai DIY

This tool helps you identify your most impactful life goals by applying established prioritization methods. It guides you to focus your efforts for maximum fulfillment and happiness.

Highlights
  • Discover priority goals
  • Utilize Ikigai method
  • Apply Eisenhower Matrix
  • Leverage Pareto Principle
  • Maximize efforts for happiness
  • Optimize endeavors
Features
Read full description

Ikigai DIY — Prioritize Your Goals, Generate Ideas, and Solve Problems Struggling to decide which goal truly deserves your time? Ikigai DIY combines proven decision-making frameworks with AI-powered thinking tools to help you prioritize goals, generate ideas, and solve problems with clarity. SMART GOAL PRIORITIZATION • Ikigai Framework — Find the sweet spot between passion, mission, vocation, and profession • Eisenhower Matrix — Sort goals by urgency and importance • Pareto Principle — Focus on the 20% of efforts that yield 80% of results • Weighted scoring system — Customize how each method influences your final priority ranking AI-POWERED THINKING TOOLS Unlock a suite of analytical and creative tools, enhanced with AI support for idea generation and problem solving: AI Assistance • AI Idea Generator — Turn rough thoughts into clear, actionable ideas • AI Problem Solving — Break down challenges, compare options, and find next steps Self-Analysis • SWOT Analysis — Map your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats • Wheel of Life — Visualize balance across career, health, relationships, and more Creativity Boosters • SCAMPER — Systematic technique to generate innovative ideas • Morphological Analysis — Explore all possible solution combinations • Idea Tree — Branch out and organize your thoughts visually Problem Solving • Five Whys Technique — Drill down to the root cause of any problem • Fishbone Diagram — Identify cause-and-effect relationships • Six Thinking Hats — Examine problems from six distinct perspectives PERSONAL GOAL TRACKING • Set SMART goals with specific, measurable milestones • Track progress with visual indicators • Stay motivated with daily reminders AVAILABLE IN 15 LANGUAGES English, Chinese (Simplified & Traditional), French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Turkish, Indonesian, and Vietnamese. Start making smarter choices — discover your priorities, generate better ideas, and solve problems with confidence using Ikigai DIY. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Focus Matrix4 screens
Ikigai DIY4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Ikigai DIY at none against Focus Matrix's shown. Ikigai DIY also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 7 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Focus Matrix's advantage is review sentiment (82% vs 50%) and ratings volume (1.6K vs 7). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 Ikigai DIY sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Focus Matrix against 4.6 for Ikigai DIY. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Focus Matrix has 1.6K ratings behind it against 7, 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 50% of Ikigai DIY's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Focus Matrix ships an update every 7 months, Ikigai DIY every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Focus Matrix versus Ikigai DIY: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocus MatrixIkigai DIY
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (1.6K ratings) — better4.6 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews82.1% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1.6K — better7
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDenys IevenkoMing Hei Tsui

Customer experience

Focus Matrix

All ratings1,586 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral3.8%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews782 reviews
Positive82.1%
Neutral7.3%
Negative10.6%

Ikigai DIY

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral14.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Ikigai DIY

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
2 purchases

Ikigai DIY

One-time2
  • Full Version$1.99
  • 200 AI Tokens$4.99

Questions

Is Focus Matrix free?
Focus Matrix is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ikigai DIY free?
Ikigai DIY is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Focus Matrix or Ikigai DIY?
Focus Matrix is rated higher. Focus Matrix averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Ikigai DIY averages 4.6 from 7 ratings.
Do Focus Matrix or Ikigai DIY have ads?
Focus Matrix shows ads; Ikigai DIY does not.
Which is updated more often, Focus Matrix or Ikigai DIY?
Focus Matrix ships an update every 7 months, and Ikigai DIY every 3 months. Most recently, Focus Matrix was updated on November 2, 2026 and Ikigai DIY on November 3, 2026.

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