# Focus timer vs PoleX

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PoleX at none against Focus timer's 1. PoleX also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Focus timer's advantage is ratings volume (1.8K vs 2). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Focus timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PoleX asks for nothing beyond the download.

PoleX holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Focus timer has 1.8K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Focus timer ships an update every 5 weeks, PoleX weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Focus timer | PoleX |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-timer-time-keeper/id1239133490/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polex/id6470937359/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.8K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 77.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 44 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [书敏 贾](https://appshunter.io/developer/989212128) | [Hunan Yaoxiang Information Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1703949342) |

## What reviewers say

### Focus timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-timer-time-keeper/id1239133490)

Enhance concentration with a Pomodoro-style timer. Choose from various ambient sounds to create a focused work or study environment. Customize focus and break durations, and receive end-of-timer reminders with a selection of sounds.

**Highlights:** Pomodoro timer with customizable intervals, Ambient soundscapes for focus, Customizable focus and break times, End-of-timer reminders with sound options, Minimalist interface with flip animation, Background running support

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Professional Version | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Simple and functional
- 👍 Minimalistic and aesthetic design
- 🚀 Helps with focus and concentration
- 👍 Useful for studying and work
- 👍 Customizable timer settings

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Timer inaccuracies
- 🔊 Loud alarm/notification sound
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 💰 Limited features in free version
- 🔇 No option to disable background sounds

**Reported bugs**

- Timer stops when device is locked or app is minimized
- Inconsistent timer behavior when switching between apps

**Requested features**

- Ability to set custom alarm/notification sounds
- Option to disable background sounds
- Automatic start/stop of focus and break timers
- Customizable timer duration
- Dark mode or theme options


### PoleX

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polex/id6470937359)

This app uses AI to predict optimal study times and helps organize knowledge points. Create and share custom flashcard sets or use pre-made ones for efficient learning.

**Highlights:** AI-predicted optimal study times, Custom flashcard creation, Flashcard sharing, Knowledge point categorization, Pre-made flashcard decks

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Focus timer free?

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

### Is PoleX free?

PoleX is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Focus timer or PoleX?

PoleX is rated higher. Focus timer averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while PoleX averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Focus timer or PoleX have ads?

Focus timer shows ads; PoleX does not.

### Which is updated more often, Focus timer or PoleX?

Focus timer ships an update every 5 weeks, and PoleX weekly. Most recently, Focus timer was updated on October 12, 2026 and PoleX on September 29, 2026.

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