Comparison

Focused Work vs TimeBuddy

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

Head to head
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/

About

TimeBuddy

This app helps you focus on tasks with a customizable multi-step timer. Break down goals into mini-goals and receive spoken alerts and reminders across devices. Track progress and share achievements with shareable graphics.

Highlights
  • Reusable multi-step timer sessions
  • Simultaneous session support
  • Cross-device reminders
  • Spoken timer alerts
  • Home screen widgets
  • Focus session history
  • Customizable graphic templates
Features
Read full description

TimeBuddy is a simple, multi-step productivity timer that helps you focus on your daily tasks. You can create a session for tasks like cooking, working out, or studying. Then break up your goal into steps or mini-goals. Here is an example of a quick 10-minute workout session: · Bodyweight Squats for 2 minutes · Rest for 30 seconds · Push-Ups for 2 minutes · Rest for 30 seconds · Plank with T-Rotation for 2 minutes · Rest for 30 seconds · Alternating Standing Oblique Crunches for 2 minutes · Finish with a Rest for 30 second ——— Features ——— - Stay focused by running reusable multi-step timer sessions to achieve your goal. = Multiple sessions can run simultaneously. - Receive reminders across devices while progressing and finishing sessions. - Spoken alerts will talk you through your timers so you can stay focused. - Access sessions on the home screen with widgets. - Keep track of your progress with the focus session history. - Share your progress with our gorgeous customizable graphic templates. - Access sessions securely on all of your devices using iCloud. - Customize the appearance of the app with alternate theme colors and app icons. - Enjoy focusing in the dark with our gorgeous dark mode. ——— TimeBuddy Plus ——— TimeBuddy is made by me, Matt, a solo developer! I believe that TimeBuddy’s core features should be free for everyone to use, but if you want to support and help me work on the app full time, you can subscribe to TimeBuddy Plus to unlock all features. ——— Subscriptions ——— If you purchase a TimeBuddy Plus subscription, payment will be charged to your iTunes account. Your account will automatically be charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period unless you disable auto-renew. You can turn off auto-renewal at any time by going to your Account Settings on the App Store after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://mdssoftware.co/privacypolicy Terms of Use: https://mdssoftware.co/termsofuse

Screenshots

Focused Work4 screens
TimeBuddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Focused Work at 85% against TimeBuddy's 0%. Focused Work also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (603 vs 5). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Focused Work sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and TimeBuddy sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Focused Work holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Focused Work has 603 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Focused Work's written reviews are positive against 0% of TimeBuddy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Focused Work ships an update weekly, TimeBuddy every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and August 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Focused Work versus TimeBuddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocused WorkTimeBuddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (603 ratings) — better4.0 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews84.9% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings603 — better5
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size155 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMichael TigasMasterMind Software LLC

Customer experience

Focused Work

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

TimeBuddy

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

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

TimeBuddy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

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
4 purchases

TimeBuddy

Subscriptions3
  • TimeBuddy Plus$4.991 Month
  • TimeBuddy Plus3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • TimeBuddy Plus3 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • TimeBuddy Plus$49.99

Questions

Is Focused Work free?
Focused Work is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TimeBuddy free?
TimeBuddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Focused Work or TimeBuddy?
Focused Work is rated higher. Focused Work averages 4.7 out of 5 from 603 ratings, while TimeBuddy averages 4.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Focused Work or TimeBuddy have ads?
Neither Focused Work nor TimeBuddy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Focused Work or TimeBuddy?
Focused Work ships an update weekly, and TimeBuddy every 6 weeks. Most recently, Focused Work was updated on September 24, 2026 and TimeBuddy on August 27, 2026.

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