# Flow vs Yarn

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Flow at 1.8K against Yarn's 8. Flow also leads on device support (5 vs 2). Yarn's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 4 weeks) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Flow sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Yarn sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Yarn holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Flow has 1.8K ratings behind it against 8, 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 100% of Yarn's.

Flow ships an update every 4 weeks, Yarn weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Flow | Yarn |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flow-focus-and-pomodoro-timer/id1423210932/reviews) | **[5.0 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yarn-screen-time-journal/id6746372250/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.8K** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | 86.1% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 80 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | **18.0** | 18.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Yugen GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1362171211) | [Alcove Computer Company](https://appshunter.io/developer/1816502533) |

## 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


### Yarn

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yarn-screen-time-journal/id6746372250)

This app helps you understand and reduce phone addiction by prompting you to journal before accessing distracting apps. It uses AI to provide thoughtful prompts, allows voice or text entries, and offers features to set bedtime boundaries and enter focus sessions.

**Highlights:** Journal to unlock distracting apps, AI-powered journaling prompts, Set bedtime app boundaries, Focus sessions to block apps, Voice or text journaling, Understand emotional triggers for phone use

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Yarn Pro Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Yarn Pro Monthly 2026 | $12.99 | per month |
| Yarn Pro Annual 2026 | $59.99 | per year |
| Yarn Pro Annual | $59.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Flow free?

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

### Is Yarn free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Flow or Yarn?

Yarn is rated higher. Flow averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while Yarn averages 5.0 from 8 ratings.

### Do Flow or Yarn have ads?

Neither Flow nor Yarn shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Flow or Yarn?

Flow ships an update every 4 weeks, and Yarn weekly. Most recently, Flow was updated on October 27, 2026 and Yarn on October 24, 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.*