Comparison

Session Pomodoro Focus Timer vs Focal

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

Focal

Enhance your concentration and manage tasks with timed work sessions and restorative breaks. This tool helps minimize distractions, encouraging deep work and mindful relaxation. Stay on track with customizable notifications and live updates on your home screen.

Highlights
  • Smart focus sessions based on research
  • Rejuvenating break timer
  • Customizable notifications
  • Live Activity on widgets
  • Distraction-free work slots
Read full description

Introducing FocusTimer - To Boost Your Focus! Ever felt overwhelmed with distractions? Dive deep into your tasks and rejuvenate with well-timed breaks using TimerApp. It's not just a timer; it's your personal productivity booster. HIGHLIGHTS: - Smart Focus Sessions - Based on scientific research, our focus timer ensures you get the most out of every minute. Say goodbye to procrastination and embrace peak productivity. - Rejuvenating Breaks - Don’t just stare at your screen. Our break timer encourages true relaxation, reminding you to stretch, hydrate, or even step outside. Return refreshed and ready for the next task. - Notifications - From subtle nudges to fun mode, customize how TimerApp interacts with you. Stay motivated in style! - Live Activity on Widgets - Stay updated without even opening the app! With our live activity widgets, your focus sessions and breaks are always just a glance away. Why TimerApp? Our lives are cluttered with notifications, calls, and endless tasks. TimerApp helps carve out dedicated, distraction-free slots, ensuring you make progress on what truly matters. Whether you're a student tackling assignments, a professional meeting deadlines, or anyone wanting more discipline in their routine, TimerApp is your ally. Revolutionize your productivity. Experience the magic of focused attention. Download TimerApp today and unlock your true potential.

Screenshots

Session Pomodoro Focus Timer4 screens
Focal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Focal at none against Session Pomodoro Focus Timer's 2. Focal also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Session Pomodoro Focus Timer's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (364 vs 1). On price, review sentiment 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. Focal asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Focal 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 1, 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 Focal's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Session Pomodoro Focus Timer ships an update every 5 days, Focal every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Session Pomodoro Focus Timer versus Focal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSession Pomodoro Focus TimerFocal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (364 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews93.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings364 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.4 — better16.2
Further details — not scored
Size107 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTranslucent LLCJakob Vogt

Customer experience

Session Pomodoro Focus Timer

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

Focal

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 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

Focal

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

Focal

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 Focal free?
Focal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Session Pomodoro Focus Timer or Focal?
Focal is rated higher. Session Pomodoro Focus Timer averages 4.8 out of 5 from 364 ratings, while Focal averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Session Pomodoro Focus Timer or Focal have ads?
Neither Session Pomodoro Focus Timer nor Focal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Session Pomodoro Focus Timer or Focal?
Session Pomodoro Focus Timer ships an update every 5 days, and Focal every 2 months. Most recently, Session Pomodoro Focus Timer was updated on October 13, 2026 and Focal on September 23, 2026.

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