Comparison

Engross vs Goalism

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

Head to head
About

Engross

This app helps users improve focus and productivity, especially those with ADHD or time blindness. It offers customizable focus sessions, task management, and analytics to understand work patterns. Features include distraction alerts, planning tools, and ambient sounds.

Highlights
  • ADHD-Friendly Pomodoro Timer
  • Distraction detection and training
  • Task breakdown for executive function
  • Integrated daily planner
  • Deep work analytics and charts
  • Immersive white noise ambience
  • Minimalist black theme
Features
Read full description

Whether you're working on big projects, studying for exams, or just trying to improve productivity, Engross combines the power of the Pomodoro Technique, to-do lists, day planner, and focus analytics to help you stay organised and distraction-free. Why Engross? Its timer uses a unique ‘Hit me when you are distracted’ hack that makes you more focused & engaged whether you are working or studying. To-do list has features designed keeping in mind the approaches that help in getting things done faster. Calendar is neat & simple so that you can keep your days organised effortlessly. The app is designed to help you achieve more. Key Features: Focus Timer with Pomodoro Technique • Customise focus & break durations with ease • Use the Stopwatch when you simply want to track your time effortlessly • Attach a timer/stopwatch and start sessions right from the To-do list or Calendar • Session tagging for productivity insights To-Do List • Repeat tasks with flexible repeat options like twice a week, every alternate day etc. • Track progress of your long & big tasks with a flexible progress tracker • Reminders that can notify you up to 24 hours in advance • Break the big tasks into smaller & achievable sub-tasks and achieve bigger goals effortlessly Daily Planner/Calendar • Create events and plan routines • From main tasks of the day to lunch break & meditation time, get notified with reminders for everything and stay on track with your schedule • Create Recurring events for your regular routine & keep your days organised Productivity Analytics • Track your focus trends & peak performance times • Session history with charts and detailed insights • Understand where your time goes Clean, Distraction-Free UI • Minimalist design focused on getting work done White Noise • Soothing sounds help to be more focused & engaged when working Engross is perfect for: College Students & High Schoolers Remote Workers & Freelancers ADHD & Neurodivergent Users Writers, Designers, and Creators Anyone looking to work smarter, not harder For Students (High School & College) Study smarter, not harder.
 Engross is an ultimate study partner, combining the Pomodoro technique, task planner, and focus tracking to help you crush exams, stay ahead of assignments, and make every study session count. Key Benefits for Students: * ‘Hit me when you are distracted’ helps a lot in staying focused * Flexibility of focus timer * Plan out study blocks, breaks, and classes * Stats Dashboard shows how long you study daily, weekly, monthly * No Ads For Professionals * Pomodoro Timer: Stay productive without burning out * To-Do List + Calendar: Manage client tasks, meetings, and deadlines * Session Tags & Stats: Track work hours by client or label * Minimalist Interface For ADHD & Neurodivergent Users Engross supports focus, structure, and routine — helping people with ADHD or executive function challenges stay organised and productive. It's simple and flexible. * Flexible Pomodoro Timer: Adjustable sessions and breaks * Simple Task List: Break big tasks into smaller, doable steps * Visual Stats: Get dopamine boosts from seeing your progress * Routine Builder: Create and stick to daily structures * Low Clutter Design: No overwhelming menus or distractions No pressure. Just the tools you need to build focus, one session at a time. See real progress, every day. Don’t just manage your time — take charge of it. Whether you want to beat procrastination, develop discipline, or simply get more done, Engross gives you the clarity and control you need to succeed. Pomodoro™ and Pomodoro Technique® are registered trademarks of Francesco Cirillo. This app is not affiliated with Francesco Cirillo.

About

Goalism

Features
Read full description

Goalism blocks the apps that pull you in, and puts the goal you wrote for yourself in their place. Start a focus session when you sit down to work. For as long as it runs, the apps you named stay shut — and if you reach for one anyway, you meet your own words instead of a scoreboard. FOCUS SESSIONS • Pick a length, name it, start it • The screen becomes one quiet scene and a countdown, and nothing else • Eight scenes to sit with — molten glass cooling, an ink well filling, an eclipse, sand falling • Ending early costs you a short wait, on purpose HOW IT WORKS • Choose the apps you keep losing hours to • Write down what you actually wanted • Goalism steps in the moment you open them A DOOR, NOT A WALL There is a way past the block screen, on purpose. A wall with no door only teaches people to switch the whole thing off. Goalism asks you to wait a few seconds and read your own goal first — long enough to decide instead of react. BLOCK ON YOUR SCHEDULE • Time windows — block only during the hours that matter • Per-app windows — one app blocked all evening, another only during work • Daily limits — let an app run twenty minutes a day, then lock it until midnight SEE WHAT CHANGED How many sessions you finished and how many you ended early, your streak of days with a session in them, your longest one, and how often the block screen caught you. PRIVATE WHERE IT COUNTS No account. No advertising. No tracking across apps or websites, and no advertising identifier is ever read. Your goals, the apps you chose, and everything you write stay on your iPhone — Apple hides which apps you picked even from Goalism itself, and none of that is ever sent anywhere. What does leave the device is anonymous usage counts — that an app was opened, that a session was started or finished — so we can find where people get stuck. Never what you blocked, never what you wrote. GOALISM PRO Unlimited apps and goals, daily minute limits, hour-by-hour blocking, and your own photos on the block screen. Seven days free. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Engross4 screens
Goalism4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Goalism at daily against Engross's every 4 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Engross sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Goalism sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Engross ships an update every 4 weeks, Goalism daily. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Engross versus Goalism: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEngrossGoalism
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (46 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews48.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings46 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHusain HaideryAn Nguyen

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Engross

One-time1
  • Engross Premium$5.99
3 purchases

Goalism

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Yearly7 Days trial$5.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$15.99

Questions

Is Engross free?
Engross is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Goalism free?
Goalism is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Engross or Goalism have ads?
Neither Engross nor Goalism shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Engross or Goalism?
Engross ships an update every 4 weeks, and Goalism daily. Most recently, Engross was updated on October 20, 2026 and Goalism on October 9, 2026.

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