Comparison

Pomodoro Focus Timer vs Focused Work

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

Head to head
About

Pomodoro Focus Timer

This app combines a minimalist timer with a to-do list to enhance focus and productivity. It utilizes the Pomodoro Technique to help users manage tasks and work sessions effectively, offering customizable breaks and session lengths. Real-time syncing ensures your progress is available across all your Apple devices.

Highlights
  • Customizable focus and break sessions
  • Integrated to-do list with task pinning
  • Apple Watch app with complications
  • Home Screen & Lock Screen widgets
  • Live Activity and Dynamic Island support
  • Real-time iCloud sync
  • Focus session statistics and heatmap
Features
Read full description

Focus better. Do more. One beautifully simple app. Pomodoro Focus Timer combines a clean, minimal work timer with a built-in to-do list — so you can plan your tasks and stay focused without juggling separate apps. Built on the proven Pomodoro Technique, it helps you work and study with minimal distraction and maximum productivity, whether you're at the office, in class, or working from home. No clutter. No noise. Just you and your next focus session. HOW IT WORKS 1. Add the tasks you want to work on 2. Pin a task to keep it front and center 3. Start the timer (the classic 25 minutes — or set your own) 4. Take a 5-minute break when it rings (fully customizable) 5. Mark your task complete and repeat A TIMER THAT WORKS THE WAY YOU DO • Customizable focus sessions, short breaks, and long breaks • Auto-start your next break or session — stay in flow, hands-free • Long breaks after every few sessions, on your schedule • Pause, skip, or reset anytime • Keep-screen-on mode and optional completion sounds • A simple, minimal timer that gets out of your way BUILT-IN TO-DO LIST • Add, edit, reorder, and complete tasks in seconds • Pin your most important task to the timer screen • Swipe to complete — or check tasks off right from a widget • Your tasks, always in sync across your devices FULL APPLE WATCH APP • Start, pause, stop, and skip the timer from your wrist • Add tasks and mark them complete — no iPhone needed • Watch face complications for timer, tasks, and your streak • Use your watch as a remote for the timer on your phone WIDGETS & LIVE ACTIVITIES • Home Screen & Lock Screen widgets for timer, tasks, and stats • Live Activity + Dynamic Island — see your countdown and pinned task at a glance • Control Center timer toggle (iOS 18) • Tap to play, pause, skip, or complete a task right from a widget STATS THAT KEEP YOU MOTIVATED • Track focus sessions for today and all-time • Current streak and best streak • GitHub-style activity heatmap • Scrubbable charts by day, week, month, and year • See your most-worked-on tasks and personalized insights SIRI SHORTCUTS • "Hey Siri, start a focus timer" — go completely hands-free SYNCS EVERYWHERE • Real-time iCloud sync across iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch • Your tasks, settings, and stats follow you everywhere MADE TO BLEND IN • Beautiful Dark Mode everywhere • 8 accent colors to match your style • Clean, distraction-free design Whether you're studying for exams, powering through deep work, or just trying to beat procrastination, Pomodoro Focus Timer is the simple, minimal productivity companion that keeps you on track. Terms of Use: https://pawan.info/legal/pomodoro/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://pawan.info/legal/pomodoro/privacy.html

About

Focused Work

This app helps users improve focus and productivity through structured timed sessions. It offers customizable timers, goal setting, and distraction blocking to build healthy work habits.

Highlights
  • Customizable focus sessions
  • Pomodoro and Flowmodoro templates
  • Distraction blocking
  • Reflection and goal tracking
  • Statistics and charts
  • Live Activities and widgets
Features
Read full description

## Featured by App Store in 150+ Countries & Regions # Hot This Week # Apps We Love Right Now # Big Apps From Small Teams # New Apps, Features, and Content ## What People Are Saying "A simple, but valuable utility for creating timed focus sessions of productivity." - MacStories "Focused Work helps you stay on track better than ever" - iMore "Focused Work makes it easy to create and manage Focused Sessions." - 9to5Mac "A tool that helps overcome that first step." - Knapsack Focused Work is a powerful timer that helps you focus and be productive. It's purpose-built for people who want to focus for long periods and struggle with this. Add structure to your day with "Focus Sessions" that encourage you to complete goals, tasks, and help you divide your time into Focus, Break, and Prepare stages. Pick from a selection of templates, including a simple timer, Pomodoro - inspired by the Pomodoro Technique, Flowmodoro - inspired by the Flowtime Technique, and other various sessions. You can also create repeatable sessions specifically tailored to your needs. Add stages, set time limits, and much more. Ultimately, Focused Work helps you be more accountable by reminding you to focus, reflect, and build healthy productivity habits by completing various daily goals. **Core Features** · A simple, powerful timer that keeps you on-task Choose what to focus on. Start the timer. Get stuff done! · Curated Basic Sessions to get started Run a Pomodoro session, Flowmodoro session, or even just a simple timer · Create Focus Sessions Tailor them to your needs with a plethora of configurable options · Reminders Be reminded to stay focused, when to take breaks, and also to start a focus session! · Reflection Track what went well for you during your focus session and what you can improve upon · Scratch Pad Jot down thoughts that come to mind during your session and return to them after · Daily Goals Completing your daily focus goals earns you a streak and helps you form healthy productivity habits · Statistics & Charts Review recent productivity across the past week, month, and year · Block Distractions Select apps and websites you want to restrict access to during a session · In-app Shortcuts Automation Automatically perform actions as you progress through your session, such as turning on Focus · Link with Toggl Track Explore advanced time tracking by linking with Toggl to create time entries, assign projects and tags · Productivity Export Export completed sessions in CSV format **iOS & iPadOS Features** Focused Work is available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with extensive support for each platform; · Live Activities Control your session from the Lock Screen or Dynamic Island · Interactive Widgets Control your session, view daily goals, and start a session from the Home Screen · Control Center Widgets Start a session or access the Scratch Pad with Control Widgets · StandBy Interact with your session while iPhone is in StandBy · Spotlight Search Quick start and interact with sessions from search · Focus Filters Filter which sessions can be viewed & started based on the active Focus · App Shortcuts & Siri Start and interact with a session via various shortcuts that can also be linked together · Picture-in-Picture Show a floating timer above other apps with Picture-in-Picture mode · Session Alerts on all devices Start a session on one device and receive update alerts on others with Focused Work installed · iCloud Syncing Sync productivity stats & created sessions between devices · Privacy Focused Your data is securely stored and managed via iCloud. No account registration. · And much more Mac Support, Share Sheet controls, App Icons, Keyboard Shortcuts, VoiceOver, Split View & Slide Over, Low Power Mode, Drag & Drop, Dark Mode, URL Schemes If you have any questions, please reach out to focusedworkapp@michaeltigas.com.au Privacy Policy: https://focusedwork.app/privacypolicy/ Terms of Use: https://focusedwork.app/terms/

Screenshots

Pomodoro Focus Timer4 screens
Focused Work4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Pomodoro Focus Timer at free against Focused Work's free with in-app purchases. Pomodoro Focus Timer also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.7) and device support (6 vs 4). Focused Work's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs monthly) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume 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. Pomodoro Focus Timer sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Focused Work sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pomodoro Focus Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 294 and 603 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 82% of Pomodoro Focus Timer's written reviews are positive against 85% of Focused Work's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pomodoro Focus Timer ships an update monthly, Focused Work weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Pomodoro Focus Timer versus Focused Work: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPomodoro Focus TimerFocused Work
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (294 ratings) — better4.7 (603 ratings)
Positive reviews82.4% of reviews84.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings294603 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro
Requires iOS26.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size60 MB155 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPawanpreet SinghMichael Tigas

Customer experience

Pomodoro Focus Timer

All ratings294 ratings
Positive96.9%
Neutral2.0%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews68 reviews
Positive82.4%
Neutral7.4%
Negative10.3%

Focused Work

All ratings603 ratings
Positive93.2%
Neutral3.5%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews166 reviews
Positive84.9%
Neutral4.2%
Negative10.8%

User reviews

Pomodoro Focus Timer

From 294 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✨ Clean, minimalist design
  • 👍 Simple and intuitive interface
  • 💰 Completely free with no ads
  • ⏱️ Effective focus and productivity tool
  • 🎯 Core Pomodoro functionality works well

Room to improve

  • 🔔 Notification sound too quiet/similar to other alerts
  • 🐛 Timer stops when screen locks
  • ⌚ Apple Watch notifications unreliable
  • 🎨 No dark theme option
  • 🔋 Battery drain concerns

Focused Work

From 603 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 GAME CHANGER
  • 👍 Good app
  • 👍 Good Product
  • 🚀 Phenomenal
  • 👍 Great productivity app!

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Shouldn't be a subscription
  • 🐛 Reminders are annoying
  • 🔒 Stop nagging people for reviews
  • 🔒 App for iwatch is still missing in 2025.
  • 🔒 Could be an amazing timer

Bugs and requests

Pomodoro Focus Timer

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • Timer doesn't work when screen is off or app is in background
  • Apple Watch notifications don't arrive until app is reopened
  • Pause/resume function doesn't actually pause the timer
  • App crashes occasionally
  • Tasks with similar names don't create properly
Show 4 more
  • Pomodoro counter resets at 500
  • Creating tasks can be glitchy
  • Timer doesn't stay running on Apple Watch
  • Notification doesn't trigger until app is opened

Requested features

15 requests
  • Dark theme/dark mode
  • Vibration option on timer completion
  • Horizontal/landscape mode support
  • Background sound options (rain, ocean waves, etc.)
  • Customizable notification sounds and volume
Show 10 more
  • Statistics and activity tracking (daily/weekly/monthly charts)
  • Task history and suggestions
  • Continuous timer option
  • App blocker for distraction prevention
  • Mac version with sync capability
  • Donation option in app
  • Tips section for Pomodoro technique
  • Reset to default button
  • Queue tasks from timer screen
  • Keep timer running when app is closed

Focused Work

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login screen freezes
  • Incompatible with older devices
  • Stuck on a session: Gap time
  • Desktop doesn't sync with phone

Requested features

4 requests
  • Need iwatch app
  • Calendar integration?
  • Dark mode option
  • Advanced analytics dashboard

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Pomodoro Focus Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Pomodoro Pro (Monthly)3 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Pomodoro Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time4
  • Snack-Sized Tip$3.99
  • Lunch-sized Tip$9.99
  • Pizza-sized Tip$14.99
Show 1 more
  • Pomodoro Pro - Lifetime$29.99
14 purchases

Focused Work

Subscriptions6
  • Focused Work Pro (1 month)$2.991 Month
  • Focused Work Pro - Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Focused Work Pro (1 month)$6.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Focused Work Pro (1 year)3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Focused Work Pro - Yearly3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Focused Work Pro (1 year)3 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time8
  • Little Tip$0.99
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
Show 5 more
  • Large Tip$9.99
  • Massive Tip$19.99
  • Focused Work Pro Lifetime$59.99
  • Focused Work Pro Lifetime$89.99
  • Focused Work Pro Lifetime$119.99

Questions

Is Pomodoro Focus Timer free?
Pomodoro Focus Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Focused Work free?
Focused Work is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pomodoro Focus Timer or Focused Work?
Pomodoro Focus Timer is rated higher. Pomodoro Focus Timer averages 4.9 out of 5 from 294 ratings, while Focused Work averages 4.7 from 603 ratings.
Do Pomodoro Focus Timer or Focused Work have ads?
Neither Pomodoro Focus Timer nor Focused Work shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pomodoro Focus Timer or Focused Work?
Pomodoro Focus Timer ships an update monthly, and Focused Work weekly. Most recently, Pomodoro Focus Timer was updated on September 30, 2026 and Focused Work on September 24, 2026.

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