Comparison

Session Pomodoro Focus Timer vs FocusWave.

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

FocusWave.

This app helps you organize your day with sensory-friendly designs and customizable reminders. It offers AI-powered insights to break down tasks and daily check-ins for reflection. Designed for inclusivity, it supports voice commands and screen readers.

Highlights
  • Voice command support
  • Customizable reminders
  • Screen reader compatibility
  • AI-powered task breakdown
  • Sensory-friendly design
  • Daily check-ins
  • Cross-device sync
Features
Read full description

FocusWave is more than a productivity app - because productivity should feel supportive, not overwhelming. With sensory-friendly designs, customizable reminders, and built-in accessibility, FocusWave helps you organize your day in a way that actually works. Whether you're managing tasks, reducing overwhelm, or trying to feel more in control of your day, FocusWave is here to support you every step of the way. Key Features Voice Command Support: Add tasks and set reminders more easily using your voice - no typing needed. Customizable Reminders: Set reminders your way. Choose from gentle nudges, voice alerts, or frequent notifications - so your day works around you, not the other way around. Screen Reader Compatibility: An accessibility first feature for users who rely on assistive technologies, because everyone deserves a smooth experience. Focus' AI-Powered Insights: Break large tasks into smaller manageable ones to reduce overwhelm and get smart suggestions. Sensory-Friendly Design: A calm clutter-free interface with easy-read fonts and customizable themes to reduce sensory overload. Daily Check-ins: Gentle moments to pause, reflect, and reconnect with how you're feeling at the end of the day. Calendar Sharing: Share your tasks and events with others and keep track of them. Gentle Gamification: Light rewards and encouragement to help you stay motivated - without pressure or stress. Time Zone Awareness: Traveling? Your schedule automatically adjusts to new time zones so you never miss a thing. Cross-Device Sync: Access your tasks on different devices. Changes you make on one device appear instantly everywhere. Offline Mode: No internet? No problem—continue adding and checking off tasks offline; FocusWave will sync when you’re back online. Data Privacy: All your data is encrypted on-device, allowing you to remain in full control of your information. Why FocusWave? Tired of feeling overwhelmed? Most productivity apps and planners feel "too much", so we get it. This is why we designed FocusWave, an app that truly understands our needs and aims to offer a simple, effective, and highly customizable experience. Find your focus, without the stress, whenever you need it. Your Focus, Your Way. What are you waiting for? Take the next step and start your productivity journey now! Who Is FocusWave For? FocusWave is built on the principle of inclusion. So, while FocusWave was designed with neurodivergent users in mind, this thoughtful design simply means that the app is more intuitive and effective for everyone. If you value personalization and accessibility, then FocusWave is for you. By downloading or using FocusWave, you agree to our Terms and Conditions: https://www.focus-wave.net/termsandconditions Privacy Policy: https://www.focus-wave.net/privacypolicy End User License Agreement (EULA): https://www.focus-wave.net/eual

Screenshots

Session Pomodoro Focus Timer4 screens
FocusWave.4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Session Pomodoro Focus Timer at every 5 days against FocusWave.'s every 5 weeks. Session Pomodoro Focus Timer also leads on ratings volume (364 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.1). FocusWave.'s advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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 and FocusWave. sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

FocusWave. 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 FocusWave.'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Session Pomodoro Focus Timer ships an update every 5 days, FocusWave. every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Session Pomodoro Focus Timer versus FocusWave.: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSession Pomodoro Focus TimerFocusWave.
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 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.4 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size107 MB47 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTranslucent LLCMaryam AlAali

Customer experience

Session Pomodoro Focus Timer

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

FocusWave.

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 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

FocusWave.

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
2 purchases

FocusWave.

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$5.001 Month
  • Yearly Subscription$50.001 Year

Questions

Is Session Pomodoro Focus Timer free?
Session Pomodoro Focus Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FocusWave. free?
FocusWave. is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Session Pomodoro Focus Timer or FocusWave.?
FocusWave. is rated higher. Session Pomodoro Focus Timer averages 4.8 out of 5 from 364 ratings, while FocusWave. averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Session Pomodoro Focus Timer or FocusWave. have ads?
Neither Session Pomodoro Focus Timer nor FocusWave. shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Session Pomodoro Focus Timer or FocusWave.?
Session Pomodoro Focus Timer ships an update every 5 days, and FocusWave. every 5 weeks. Most recently, Session Pomodoro Focus Timer was updated on October 27, 2026 and FocusWave. on October 21, 2026.

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