Comparison

Session Pomodoro Focus Timer vs SimpliFocus

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

Head to head
About

Session Pomodoro Focus Timer

This app helps users improve focus and productivity by guiding them through timed work sessions and breaks. It blocks distracting websites and apps, mutes notifications, and automates workflow elements like Do Not Disturb and music playback. Users can also track their time and review their progress.

Highlights
  • Timed work and break sessions
  • Website and app blocking (Mac only)
  • Mute Slack notifications
  • Automated Do Not Disturb
  • Music playback automation
  • Apple Calendar sync
  • Session progress tracking
Features
Read full description

- Do you procrastinate and spend your time mindlessly? - have problem with focusing? - often get distracted while trying to focus? - maybe you are burned out because you worked too much and forget to take necessary break? - or, maybe have an ADHD? Session can help you with your focus problem. Trusted daily by tens of thousands of engineer in Silicon Valley, independent studios in Madrid, writers in Netherlands, and creative worker + freelancer all over the world. It helps you be more productive by guiding you to work in sessions, block distractions, track your time, and remind you to rest. GET INTO HABIT OF WORKING IN TIME BLOCK Inspired by Pomodoro technique, Session helps you block your time for focus. 25 minutes or 45 minutes is all you need to get closer to your goal KEEP YOUR FOCUS BY BLOCKING WEBSITES AND APPS THAT DISTRACT YOU (MAC ONLY) Session block distracting website and apps when you started a Session. It'll automatically restore your website when you are on rest / session has ended. BLOCK SLACK TEAM Session will automatically mute Slack team you choose when Session has started and open them up again when Session has stopped working. DON'T FORGET TO TAKE A REST Forcing yourself to work on long period of time is ineffective. Rest is as important as work / study. Why? Because rest is a crucial time where you: - store what you have learned in your head, and where - your brain solve difficult problem on the background. Notice that you usually get a new idea and solves problem when you're on walk and shower. Or anywhere where you're away from "work". AUTOMATE YOUR WORKFLOW (AUTOMATIC DO NOT DISTURB, PLAY MUSIC) Imagine having no distracting notifications while working on. It's possible by turning on Do Not Disturb. What if you can turn it on when you started your Session, and disable it after Session ends—all automatically? Or maybe change bulb color, play Apple music when Session has started? Different playlist on break? It's possible with Session. Automate it with AppleScript on MacOS and Apple Shortcut on iOS SEE YOUR SESSIONS ON APPLE CALENDAR WITH ONE WAY SYNC. See automatically create Sessions on Apple Calendar to review how your day has progressed. REVIEW YOUR SESSIONS Are you spending more time on a task than it's worth? Session keep you mindful by tracking your work and ask what you have learned after Session has ended. Session tracks what you have worked on, what have you learned, and for how long. Review your progress and journey that you have made. — Need support? Contact philip@stayinsession.com for assistance! — Learn about what Session can do here: https://www.stayinsession.com/learn — Join our Discord community channel here: https://discord.com/invite/5KASx2T4RU

— Terms: https://www.stayinsession.com/terms Privacy policy: https://www.stayinsession.com/privacy-policy

About

SimpliFocus

This app offers a distraction-free environment to boost productivity. It features a minimalist timer and session tracking, allowing users to focus on tasks without clutter or complex interfaces. Designed for simplicity, it helps users achieve deep work and accomplish their goals.

Highlights
  • Instant focus with one tap
  • Minimalist Pomodoro-inspired timer
  • Session tracking with streaks
  • Lock screen and Live Activities support
  • Customizable session and break times
  • Ad-free and clutter-free interface
Features
Read full description

SimpliFocus Focus Made Effortless Instant focus. Zero distractions. One tap is all it takes. Tired of complicated productivity apps that only add clutter to your day? SimpliFocus gives you everything you need and nothing you don’t, to actually get things done. No noise. No bloat. Just pure, calming focus. Why You’ll Love SimpliFocus: • Start Focusing in Seconds Open the app and tap “Start.” That’s it. The rest fades away so you can dive in. • Minimal, Beautiful Timer Work and rest in gentle cycles with a clean Pomodoro-inspired timer that keeps you centered, not stressed. • Designed to Disappear Track sessions and see your streaks only when you want—no pressure, no dashboards, no overwhelm. • Lock Screen & Live Activities Keep your focus front and center—even when your phone is locked. • Customizable, Not Complicated Tweak your session and break times in seconds. Only the essentials, all on one screen. • Absolutely No Clutter No ads. No sign-ups. No endless menus. Just focus. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just want a calmer day, SimpliFocus lets you do more—with less. Make space for deep work. Clear your mind. Finish what matters. Download SimpliFocus today and rediscover what you can do when nothing gets in your way.

Screenshots

Session Pomodoro Focus Timer4 screens
SimpliFocus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SimpliFocus at none against Session Pomodoro Focus Timer's 2. SimpliFocus also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Session Pomodoro Focus Timer's advantage is ratings volume (364 vs 4) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 18.0). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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. Session Pomodoro Focus Timer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. SimpliFocus asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SimpliFocus holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Session Pomodoro Focus Timer has 364 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 93% of Session Pomodoro Focus Timer's written reviews are positive against 100% of SimpliFocus's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Session Pomodoro Focus Timer versus SimpliFocus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSession Pomodoro Focus TimerSimpliFocus
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (364 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews93.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings364 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysEvery 5 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS13.4 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size107 MB59 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTranslucent LLCJosh Wood

Customer experience

Session Pomodoro Focus Timer

All ratings364 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral0.8%
Negative4.1%
Written reviews633 reviews
Positive93.2%
Neutral3.3%
Negative3.5%

SimpliFocus

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Session Pomodoro Focus Timer

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Issues with editing past sessions
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching between devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Integrate with more productivity apps and to-do lists
  • Add Apple Watch app support
  • Expand customization options for themes and sounds
  • Improve documentation and onboarding for advanced features

SimpliFocus

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Session Pomodoro Focus Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Session monthly subscription$4.991 Month
  • Session yearly subscription$39.991 Year
None

SimpliFocus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Session Pomodoro Focus Timer free?
Session Pomodoro Focus Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SimpliFocus free?
SimpliFocus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Session Pomodoro Focus Timer or SimpliFocus?
SimpliFocus is rated higher. Session Pomodoro Focus Timer averages 4.8 out of 5 from 364 ratings, while SimpliFocus averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Session Pomodoro Focus Timer or SimpliFocus have ads?
Neither Session Pomodoro Focus Timer nor SimpliFocus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Session Pomodoro Focus Timer or SimpliFocus?
Session Pomodoro Focus Timer ships an update every 5 days, and SimpliFocus every 5 days. Most recently, Session Pomodoro Focus Timer was updated on October 13, 2026 and SimpliFocus on October 4, 2026.

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