Comparison

Flow List vs Focus Friend

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

Head to head
About

Flow List

Features
Read full description

What is Flow? Flow is a concentration timer + todo list app. We focus on tracking the status of your concentration, what are you working on and what do you feel when you concentrate to increase the productivity to the next level. Features: 1. Inbox, Doing, Done. We provide the default category for users to organize what item they are focusing on. You can understand how many things they currently working on, and how many things in stake. 2. Flow Timer Flow timer is a Pomodoro timer, but instead of setting a hard limit of how long you should work. Flow timer provides a flexible timer with only showing the minutes you are working on. And record the feedback of emotion in every session, so you can review the productivity of each session. 3. Dashboard and Logbook With the tracking provided in the dashboard and the Logbook, you can review the daily time usage and your goal of productivity.

About

Focus Friend

Features
Read full description

Can't get started? Lose focus halfway through? Focus Friend is a calm focus timer built for ADHD brains and anyone who fights procrastination. One gentle session at a time. No pressure. No guilt. Just a timer that helps you begin. START IN SECONDS • Pick a session type: Focus, Reading, Meditation, Quick Nap or Sleep • Choose a length or save your favourite presets • Type what you're working on so your brain knows the one thing to do SEE TIME PASS • A clear countdown dial or a soothing hourglass with falling sand • Follow your session on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island with Live Activities • Start and end chimes so you never have to watch the clock CALM SOUNDS FOR FOCUS • Rain, forest, ocean, café, fireplace, piano, white noise and more (full library with Plus) • Mix in background sound for study, reading or winding down to sleep • Switch sounds mid-session without breaking your flow BUILD THE HABIT • Daily focus time, streaks and a calendar heatmap of your progress • Rate how each session felt and spot what works for you • Gentle daily reminders at the time you choose MADE FOR YOU • Light, dark or system theme • Your data stays on your device. No account needed. FOCUS FRIEND PLUS Upgrade for the full sound library, no ads and advanced insights with yearly trends and session breakdowns. Choose monthly, yearly or a one-time lifetime purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple ID. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel in your App Store account settings. Focus Friend is a productivity tool. It is not a medical device and does not diagnose or treat ADHD. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Flow List4 screens
Focus Friend4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Flow List at none against Focus Friend's 3. Flow List also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). Focus Friend's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 14 months). On price, ads 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 Friend sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Flow List asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Flow List ships an update every 14 months, Focus Friend every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 3 level
Flow List versus Focus Friend: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFlow ListFocus Friend
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 14 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB78 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTe-Chun ChaoAvineet Gupta

In-app purchases

None

Flow List

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Focus Friend

Subscriptions2
  • Focus Friend Plus — Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Focus Friend Plus — Yearly14 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Focus Friend Plus — Lifetime$14.99

Questions

Is Flow List free?
Flow List is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Focus Friend free?
Focus Friend is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Flow List or Focus Friend have ads?
Neither Flow List nor Focus Friend shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Flow List or Focus Friend?
Flow List ships an update every 14 months, and Focus Friend every 3 months. Most recently, Flow List was updated on October 6, 2026 and Focus Friend on October 26, 2026.

Other comparisons