Comparison

Focus Tomato vs Focus Buddy

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

Head to head
About

Focus Tomato

This app helps you stay focused and productive using a modified Pomodoro technique. It guides you through focused work intervals and short breaks, with features to prevent distractions and allow flexibility in your work sessions.

Highlights
  • Goal setting and breaking down tasks
  • 25-minute focus intervals
  • 5-minute rest periods
  • Extended breaks after 4 cycles
  • Flexible timer duration
  • Do Not Disturb mode
  • Integrates with other productivity tools
Features
Read full description

## App Of The Day - Apple ## New Apps We Love - Apple ## Try These Out - Apple ## Student App of the Month - The App Brewery (London) Focus Tomato is a serious tomato helping you stay focused.  Cheer you up when you succeed. —— Recommended consuming order —— Step 1: Goal setting If the goal is too big, break it down. Step 2: only focus for 25 minutes * Only focus on one thing * Avoid distraction; make efforts to keep the Tomato running (ex. if someone hits you up, tell him/her getting back to you shortly!) * Better to watch the timer counting Step 3: Rest for 5 minutes * Not suitable for mental consuming tasks * Light activities that are good for your mind and body * Pause your work momentarily can help you view things from another perspective and avoid couldn't see the forests for the trees.
 Step 4: Repeat 4 times, then take a more extended rest for 15 to 30 minutes Repeat the previous two steps for 4 times, and take a 15 to 30 minutes long rest —— After taking it, you can gain the following benefits on top of straight As ——
 * Prevent distracting and stay focused more easily: counting down timer brings good stress * Reduce interruptions: postpone other tasks; most things can wait for 25 minutes * Avoid procrastinating: when the timer is running, it means the declaration of a focused time frame * Endure longer: with adequate rest, you can run further
 —— Features of “Focus Tomato” —— Based on the Pomodoro method with new spice-ups and improvements. * Do not force stop; keep the flow Classical Promodoro clock asks you to stop working asap when time is up; Focus Tomato only notifies you with sound and does not force you to stop. You can keep staying in the zone and running the timer. * Fractional time is allowed Classical Promodoro clock requires to maintain 25 minutes duration. Focus Tomato freely lets you count the fractional time as long as it starts running. * Modifiable Timeline It is usual to forget to stop the timer. Focus Tomato allows you to modify the Timeline and make adjustments afterward. * Do Not Disturb mode is available Distracted by too many notifications? Do Not Disturb mode can be enabled when Focus Tomato is running. * Integrate smoothly with other work methods and/or apps Because the app only applies the timing part of the Promodoro technique, in addition to the original Promodoro method, you can also use the Reminder, Trello, or physical notebooks along with it. Good tomato, why not eat it?

About

Focus Buddy

Features
Read full description

Stop Struggling with Focus. Start Growing with Your Pixel Buddy. Do you find it hard to start a task? Does your ADHD brain need more than just a ticking clock? Focus Buddy is a gentle, gamified productivity tool designed for dreamers, students, and professionals who want to reclaim their focus without the anxiety. GAMIFIED PRODUCTIVITY: WORK IS NOW A QUEST Turn your to-do list into an 8-bit adventure. No stressful penalties, just pure motivation: Focus to Battle: Your custom pixel hero engages with "distraction monsters" while your timer runs. Earn & Decorate: Collect coins through Pomodoro sessions (25/5 mode) to buy cozy furniture and unlock magical pixel scenes. Progress-Friendly: Unlike other apps, you keep your earned coins even if you get interrupted. We celebrate every minute of your effort.It’s more than a timer—it’s your personal Pixel Companion that battles procrastination alongside you. When you work, your hero thrives. When you focus, your world grows. DESIGNED FOR THE NEURODIVERGENT BRAIN We’ve integrated science-backed features to support ADHD users and those with sensory sensitivities: Body Doubling Effect: Having your Buddy on screen provides the psychological comfort of "working together," making deep work less lonely. Gentle Alerts: Soft vibration and 8-bit visual cues instead of jarring alarms. ADHD-Friendly Planning: Break down big goals into manageable "Micro-Quests." POWERFUL TOOLS FOR FLOW STATE: Flexible Pomodoro Timer: Customize your focus and break intervals to fit your unique rhythm. Ambient Soundscapes: Focus with 8-bit Rain ASMR, Lo-fi beats, or complete silence. Calendar Integration: Seamlessly sync with Apple Calendar and Google Tasks to turn your schedule into a game map. Offline Focus: No Wi-Fi? Your Buddy stays with you. Perfect for library sessions or flights.Optimized Visuals: Color palettes specifically chosen to reduce screen fatigue and sensory overload. BUILT WITH CARE & HONESTY Privacy-First: We never sell your data. Your focus journey is 100% private. No Exploitative Mechanics: We avoid "streaks" that cause guilt. Your hero rests when you need to rest. No Ads: No intrusive pop-ups to break your concentration. Solo Developer Passion: Created by former remote workers who understand the struggle of stay-at-home productivity. WHAT OUR COMMUNITY SAYS: "It helps me start tasks without the usual 'beginning anxiety.' The cutest way to stay productive!" – College Student, Texas "Finally, a focus app that feels like a cozy game instead of a digital chore." – Indie Game Enthusiast Don’t just track time—give it life. Whether you’re studying for finals, coding a project, or just trying to get through chores, your Focus Buddy is ready. Download now and find your Flow State today!

Screenshots

Focus Tomato4 screens
Focus Buddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

Focus Tomato and Focus Buddy are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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 Tomato sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Focus Buddy sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Focus Tomato versus Focus Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocus TomatoFocus Buddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (1.7K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews93.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.7K — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.616 — better
Further details — not scored
Size132 MB33 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperCHIH-SHAN LIU锦 曹

Bugs and requests

Focus Tomato

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Upgrade didn't work as expected
  • Timer stops when switching to other apps

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add a dark mode option
  • Implement a widget for quick access
  • Introduce a leaderboard or progress tracking
  • Allow syncing across devices

Focus Buddy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Focus Tomato

One-time1
  • Tomato King$4.99
1 purchases

Focus Buddy

One-time1
  • starter package$0.99

Questions

Is Focus Tomato free?
Focus Tomato is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Focus Buddy free?
Focus Buddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Focus Tomato or Focus Buddy have ads?
Neither Focus Tomato nor Focus Buddy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Focus Tomato or Focus Buddy?
Focus Tomato ships an update monthly, and Focus Buddy monthly. Most recently, Focus Tomato was updated on October 18, 2026 and Focus Buddy on October 7, 2026.

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