Comparison

Focus Matrix vs Hook Life

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

Hook Life

This app uses NFC tags to help you start tasks by requiring physical interaction. It's designed to overcome procrastination and build better habits by moving action from thought to reality.

Highlights
  • NFC tag integration for task initiation
  • Physical interaction required to complete actions
  • Helps overcome procrastination
  • Builds better habits
  • External trigger for action
  • Supports various daily scenarios
Features
Read full description

Hook is a system designed to help you start. Place an NFC tag where the action should happen: by the door, in the kitchen, near your desk, or anywhere else in the room. To confirm a task, turn off an alarm, or complete an action, you need to physically walk to the tag and scan it. Why it works Most decisions fail not because of a lack of motivation. The hardest part is getting started. Hook moves action from your thoughts into the real world. Not “getting ready” — taking the first step. Alarm scenario example: The alarm starts You have a few minutes to wake up calmly You need to walk to the tag Scan it You are already out of bed and in motion Hook doesn’t pressure or force you. It helps you stick to your own decisions. Hook is for you if: • It’s hard to wake up in the morning • You constantly procrastinate • Starting work or workouts feels difficult • You are tired of pressing “snooze” • You want to build better habits • You need an external trigger to take action • It’s difficult to maintain routine and discipline Hook can be used in almost any daily scenario: alarms, workouts, studying, work, taking vitamins, nutrition, household routines, sleep schedules, and any situation where starting on time matters. Sometimes all it takes is the first step.

Screenshots

Focus Matrix4 screens
Hook Life4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hook Life at none against Focus Matrix's 3. Hook Life also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Focus Matrix's advantage is ratings volume (1.6K vs 1) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price 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. Hook Life asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Hook Life holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Focus Matrix has 1.6K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Focus Matrix ships an update every 7 months, Hook Life monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Focus Matrix versus Hook Life: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocus MatrixHook Life
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (1.6K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews82.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.6K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsMonthly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB63 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDenys IevenkoSergei Envald

Customer experience

Focus Matrix

All ratings1,586 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral3.8%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews781 reviews
Positive82.2%
Neutral7.3%
Negative10.5%

Hook Life

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
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

Hook Life

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
None

Hook Life

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Focus Matrix free?
Focus Matrix is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Hook Life free?
Hook Life is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Focus Matrix or Hook Life?
Hook Life is rated higher. Focus Matrix averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Hook Life averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Focus Matrix or Hook Life have ads?
Focus Matrix shows ads; Hook Life does not.
Which is updated more often, Focus Matrix or Hook Life?
Focus Matrix ships an update every 7 months, and Hook Life monthly. Most recently, Focus Matrix was updated on October 14, 2026 and Hook Life on September 30, 2026.

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