Comparison

Bluebird Focus Timer vs Cadence

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

Head to head
About

Bluebird Focus Timer

This app combines a Pomodoro-style focus timer with task management to help users overcome procrastination and improve productivity. It offers features like time tracking, distraction blocking, and background sounds to enhance concentration for study and work.

Highlights
  • Flexible Pomodoro focus timer
  • Task management with due dates and priority
  • Time tracking and review
  • Background sounds for focus
  • Distraction blocker for apps and websites
  • Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets
  • iCloud sync across Apple devices
Features
Read full description

Bluebird is a time management app for study and work. It combines a Pomodoro-style focus timer with a to-do list to help you overcome procrastination, stay focused, and make progress. ## Key Features ・Flexible focus timer (based on the Pomodoro Technique) ・Simple-but-powerful task management (with duration, priority, start/due date, repeat & tags) ・Time tracking (record the time you put in and review it later) ・Background sounds (white noise & all kinds of sounds from nature) ・Distraction blocker (block apps & websites while focusing) ・Widgets on Home Screen & Lock Screen ・Live Activities in the Dynamic Island ・iCloud Sync across iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch & Mac ・Accessibility (VoiceOver, Dynamic Type & more) ・Full support for Focus (Focus filter & Time Sensitive notifications) ・Siri Shortcuts & automation ・Strict privacy policy (zero data collection) **Also available on Apple Watch** ・Stay focused anywhere (with/without your iPhone) ・Instant sync (always in sync with the iOS app) ・Haptic focus reminders (a silent but impactful way to keep you focused) ・Complications of all sizes ・Optimized for Always On ## Who is Bluebird for? ・Students who want to stay focused on their studies ・Remote workers or freelancers who want to be more productive ・Anyone who wants to spend their time wisely --- May the bluebird of happiness cross your path. --- Privacy Policy: https://bluebird.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://bluebird.app/terms

About

Cadence

Features
Read full description

Cadence — Task Tracking Most reminder apps ask you to pick a date. Cadence asks a better question: when did you last do it? Cadence is built around completion-based recurrence. Set a task to repeat every 3 months, complete it, and the clock resets from that moment — not from an arbitrary date on the calendar. Whether you're changing your air filter, rotating your tires, or staying on top of a health routine, Cadence keeps you honest. STAY ON TOP OF WHAT MATTERS Your task list automatically surfaces what needs attention. Overdue tasks and things you've never done rise to the top. Upcoming tasks stay out of your way until it's time. SEE IT AT A GLANCE Add the home screen widget to keep your most urgent tasks in view — and check them off without opening the app. ORGANIZE YOUR WAY Sort tasks into color-coded categories like Home, Auto, Health, Pets and Yard, then filter any list down to what you care about right now. KNOW YOUR HISTORY Every time you complete a task, Cadence logs it. Add notes about what you did, record how long it took, and attach photos as a record of your work. Your completion history is always one tap away. GET NOTIFIED BEFORE THINGS ARE DUE Set up per-task notifications so Cadence reminds you before something slips. Choose how many days of lead time you want — no surprises. FREE TO USE The core app is free and works completely offline. No account required, and your data stays on your device. CADENCE PRO Upgrade when you want more: • Sync across all your devices — tasks, history and photos everywhere • Shared lists for your household — invite family, see what's been done and who did it, and get notified when someone completes something • Custom categories with your own names, colors and icons $1.99 per month or $14.99 per year. Invited household members don't need their own subscription. --- Cadence is for anyone who takes recurring responsibilities seriously — homeowners, renters, parents, and anyone who's ever thought "when did I last do that?"

Screenshots

Bluebird Focus Timer4 screens
Cadence4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Cadence at none against Bluebird Focus Timer's 3. Bluebird Focus Timer's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and device support (6 vs 1). On price and ads 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. Bluebird Focus Timer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Cadence asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bluebird Focus Timer ships an update fortnightly, Cadence every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Bluebird Focus Timer versus Cadence: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBluebird Focus TimerCadence
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (627 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews85.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings627 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCub & PupRyan Sharp

Bugs and requests

Bluebird Focus Timer

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Distraction blocker not working as expected
  • Inconsistent behavior across devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add ability to pause/resume timers
  • Improve to-do list functionality
  • Integrate with calendar/reminders
  • Expand distraction blocking capabilities

Cadence

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Bluebird Focus Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Bluebird Pro - Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Bluebird Pro - Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Bluebird Pro - Lifetime$49.99
None

Cadence

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bluebird Focus Timer free?
Bluebird Focus Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cadence free?
Cadence is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Bluebird Focus Timer or Cadence have ads?
Neither Bluebird Focus Timer nor Cadence shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bluebird Focus Timer or Cadence?
Bluebird Focus Timer ships an update fortnightly, and Cadence every 3 months. Most recently, Bluebird Focus Timer was updated on October 14, 2026 and Cadence on October 1, 2026.

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