# Float vs Bento

The clearest difference is rating: Float at 5.0 against Bento's 4.1. Float also leads on review sentiment (95% vs 54%) and monetization model (free vs freemium). Bento's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (326 vs 3). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Float sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Bento sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Float holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bento has 326 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 95% of Float's written reviews are positive against 54% of Bento's.

Float ships an update every 6 months, Bento weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Float | Bento |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/float-student-productivity/id1475621146/reviews)** | [4.1 (326 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bento-the-do-less-timer/id1595945715/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **326** |
| Positive reviews | **95.2% of reviews** | 53.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 72 MB | 117 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mylo Creative Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1470925298) | [Keep Productive Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1595945717) |

## What reviewers say

### Float

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/float-student-productivity/id1475621146)

This app helps students manage essay writing by breaking down word count goals into daily targets. It also supports book reading goals, providing daily page targets. An "Essay Tennis" feature allows friends to challenge each other with word counts.

**Highlights:** Daily word count targets for essays, Daily page targets for reading, Essay title, word count, and deadline input, Essay Tennis word count challenges, Time management for students

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Out of Sight Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Out of Sight Yearly | $19.99 | per year |


### Bento

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bento-the-do-less-timer/id1595945715)

This app offers a calm focus timer designed to enhance productivity for work and study. It utilizes Japanese-inspired themes and a distraction-free interface to help users achieve deep work states, manage tasks, and improve focus patterns with insightful analytics.

**Highlights:** Aesthetic Japanese focus scenes, Task limitation for reduced overload, Deep focus mode to block distractions, Customizable daily routines, Focus score and analytics, Focus booster for momentum

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bento Premium - Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Bento Premium - Annually | $9.99 | per year |
| Bento Premium - Quarterly | $12.99 | per 3 months |
| Bento Premium - Semiannual | $19.99 | per 6 months |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Helps focus on important tasks
- 🎨 Beautiful and calming design
- 🕰️ Useful Pomodoro-style timer
- 📚 Bento methodology is insightful
- 👍 Simple and easy to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App freezes and crashes frequently
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly
- 💰 Paid app now requires subscription
- 🔇 Limited music/sound options
- 🤔 Confusing or unintuitive UI

**Reported bugs**

- Titles randomly deleted
- Timer stops working unexpectedly
- Switching themes doesn't work
- Accessibility issues

**Requested features**

- Add more music/sound options
- Implement a widget for quick access
- Allow customization of Bento templates
- Sync tasks across devices
- Add an Apple Watch app


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Float free?

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

### Is Bento free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Float or Bento?

Float is rated higher. Float averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Bento averages 4.1 from 326 ratings.

### Do Float or Bento have ads?

Neither Float nor Bento shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Float or Bento?

Float ships an update every 6 months, and Bento weekly. Most recently, Float was updated on October 6, 2026 and Bento on October 17, 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.*