# Flow vs Focus Lock

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Flow at 86% against Focus Lock's 23%. Flow also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (1.8K vs 290). Focus Lock's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Flow sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Focus Lock sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Flow holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Flow has 1.8K ratings behind it against 290, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of Flow's written reviews are positive against 23% of Focus Lock's.

Flow ships an update every 4 weeks, Focus Lock every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Flow | Focus Lock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flow-focus-and-pomodoro-timer/id1423210932/reviews)** | [4.3 (290 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-lock-screen-time-limit/id1494966346/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.8K** | 290 |
| Positive reviews | **86.1% of reviews** | 22.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 80 MB | 67 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Yugen GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1362171211) | [Flipd Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/1719329275) |

## What reviewers say

### Flow

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flow-focus-and-pomodoro-timer/id1423210932)

Enhance your concentration and productivity with a scientifically proven method. This app divides your workflow into focused work intervals and scheduled breaks, helping you reduce stress and stay motivated. Ideal for work, study, or any task requiring deep focus.

**Highlights:** Pomodoro timer with work intervals and breaks, App and web blocking, Statistics tracking, Commitment mode, Inspirational quotes, Home & Lock Screen Widgets

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Plan | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly Plan | $17.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Pro Access | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 🚀 Minimalist and uncluttered design
- 💡 Customizable work and break durations
- 🔒 No ads or unnecessary features
- 🤖 Responsive and helpful developers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 🔇 Notification sound could be louder
- 📊 Lack of detailed statistics and analytics
- 🔀 Inability to pause or resume a flow session
- 🖥️ Inability to minimize the timer window

**Reported bugs**

- Live activity feature not working consistently
- Timer not recording sessions accurately
- App blocking functionality not working as expected
- Crashes and freezes on certain macOS versions

**Requested features**

- Allow custom work and break durations
- Add option to pause and resume flow sessions
- Implement real-time sync across devices
- Provide more detailed productivity tracking and reporting
- Include an Apple Watch app with complication support


### Focus Lock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-lock-screen-time-limit/id1494966346)

This app helps you limit screen time and block distracting applications to improve focus and productivity. It allows you to set schedules, block specific apps, and track your progress towards reducing digital distractions.

**Highlights:** Block distracting apps, Limit screen time, Set automatic schedules, Digital detox without deleting apps, Track weekly progress, Save session shortcuts

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly subscription | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly subscription | $9.99 | per month |
| The Success Bundle | $12.49 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $24.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription - 7 days free | $49.99 | per year |
| Yearly subscription | $49.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription - 3 days free | $59.99 | per year |
| The Success Bundle | $87.99 | per year |
| Focus Lock Premium Lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Helps with focus and productivity
- 🔒 Effective at blocking distracting apps
- 👍 Useful for studying and work
- 💡 Customizable lock durations

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Apps don't return to original order
- 🐛 Inconsistent app locking functionality
- 🐛 Resets notification settings
- 💰 Expensive subscription model

**Reported bugs**

- Apps not returning after lock duration
- Inability to unlock or reactivate apps
- Frequent crashes or glitches

**Requested features**

- Allow selective app locking
- Provide scheduling options for automatic locks
- Improve app organization after lock ends


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Flow free?

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

### Is Focus Lock free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Flow or Focus Lock?

Flow is rated higher. Flow averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while Focus Lock averages 4.3 from 290 ratings.

### Do Flow or Focus Lock have ads?

Neither Flow nor Focus Lock shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Flow or Focus Lock?

Flow ships an update every 4 weeks, and Focus Lock every 2 weeks. Most recently, Flow was updated on October 19, 2026 and Focus Lock on October 18, 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.*