Comparison

Focused Work vs Pomo Up

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

Pomo Up

Enhance concentration and manage your time effectively with a focus timer that helps reduce distractions and build better habits. Track progress, get gentle nudges, and connect with others for accountability.

Highlights
  • Focus Report visualization
  • App Blocker
  • Focus Assistant nudges
  • Community Leaderboard
  • Picture-in-Picture mode
  • Focus with Friends feature
  • Home Screen Widget
Features
Read full description

Pomo Up is a Pomodoro timer with a buddy who focuses right alongside you. Pick a tag, tap start, and block the apps that pull you away. NEW IN 7.0 - An all-new design, built for Liquid Glass - Made for iPhone Duo, on both the cover and inner screens - Tag presets: each tag remembers its own duration and timer mode - New widgets: Today, This Week, and Quick Start FOCUS YOUR WAY - Pomodoro or stopwatch: count down, or count up with no time limit - Tag presets: start Study, Work, or Reading in one tap - Picture in Picture: keep the timer in view while you use other apps - Live Activities: start your next session from the Lock Screen or Dynamic Island - Spotlight & Siri: search a tag to start, or ask Siri how long you focused today STAY ON TRACK - App Blocker: block chosen apps while you focus; pause anytime you need a break - Pomo Buddies: wear AirPods and your buddy moves with you. Meet the Dog, Duck, Dino, Giraffe, and Capybara - Widgets: start a session or check today's progress right from your Home Screen SEE YOUR PROGRESS - Today's report, weekly insights, and full statistics - See where your time goes by tag - Leaderboard: see how your focus stacks up with the community EVERYWHERE YOU WORK iPhone, iPad, iPhone Duo, and Mac, kept in sync with iCloud. PRIVATE BY DESIGN No account needed. Your focus records stay on your device and sync through your own iCloud. COMMUNITY FEEDBACK "Pomo Up helps me stay on task without distractions. It's been a game-changer for my focus." – Ben "I’ve been getting more done in less time. Love the animations and how simple it is to use!" – Alice "I used to get sidetracked all the time, but Pomo Up keeps me aware and consistent." – Sam POMO UP PRO Block distracting apps, unlock all Pomo Buddies, full charts, Home Screen widgets, unlimited tags, stopwatch mode, and the Mac app. - Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase - Subscriptions renew automatically unless turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period - Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period - Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple Account settings - Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you purchase a subscription Privacy Policy: https://manjun.tech/doc/en/privacy-policy.html User Agreement: https://manjun.tech/doc/en/user-agreement.html Questions or ideas? hlai.manjun@gmail.com

Screenshots

Focused Work4 screens
Pomo Up4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Focused Work at weekly against Pomo Up's monthly. Focused Work also leads on ratings volume (608 vs 40). On price, rating, 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. Focused Work sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Pomo Up sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pomo Up holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Focused Work has 608 ratings behind it against 40, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 85% and 86% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Focused Work ships an update weekly, Pomo Up monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Focused Work versus Pomo Up: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocused WorkPomo Up
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (608 ratings)4.9 (40 ratings) — better
Positive reviews84.9% of reviews85.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings608 — better40
Update frequencyWeekly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size155 MB118 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperMichael TigasManjun Tech

Customer experience

Focused Work

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

Pomo Up

All ratings40 ratings
Positive97.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews84 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral6.0%
Negative8.3%

User reviews

Focused Work

From 608 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

Pomo Up

From 40 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great app for focus
  • 👍 Helps with studies
  • 👍 Minimalistic design
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 👍 Tracks time well

Room to improve

  • 👎 Premium features are expensive
  • 👎 Some features locked behind paywall
  • 👎 Can't edit tags
  • 👎 No option to expand widgets
  • 👎 Basic functions only for premium

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

Pomo Up

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • Cannot find widgets
  • Widgets not expandable
  • Cannot edit entries
  • Cannot edit tags
  • Data not syncing between iPad and iPhone
Show 4 more
  • Ticking sound cannot be stopped without losing notifications
  • Standby function does not work
  • Free trial charged immediately
  • Lost Premium Lifetime access

Requested features

14 requests
  • Apple Watch app
  • Expandable widgets
  • Edit tag names and colors
  • Chime sound after sessions/breaks
  • Simple calendar and task writer
Show 9 more
  • Simple note-taking option
  • Productive music or alpha/gamma waves
  • To-do list functionality
  • Timer as Lock Screen wallpaper (free)
  • Hide 'login game center' notification
  • Custom break times
  • Change number of study intervals
  • Add music for studying
  • Ability to edit entries

In-app purchases

10 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-time4
  • Little Tip$0.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
  • Focused Work Pro Lifetime$89.99
Show 1 more
  • Focused Work Pro Lifetime$119.99
8 purchases

Pomo Up

Subscriptions6
  • PomoUp Pro Weekly$1.997 Days
  • PomoUp Pro Monthly$3.991 Month
  • PomoUp: Screen Time for Focus$4.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • PomoUp Pro Annual7 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • PomoUp Pro Annual3 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • PomoUp Pro Annual$14.991 Year
One-time2
  • PomoUp Pro Lifetime$39.99
  • PomoUp Pro Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is Focused Work free?
Focused Work is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pomo Up free?
Pomo Up is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Focused Work or Pomo Up?
Pomo Up is rated higher. Focused Work averages 4.7 out of 5 from 608 ratings, while Pomo Up averages 4.9 from 40 ratings.
Do Focused Work or Pomo Up have ads?
Neither Focused Work nor Pomo Up shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Focused Work or Pomo Up?
Focused Work ships an update weekly, and Pomo Up monthly. Most recently, Focused Work was updated on November 7, 2026 and Pomo Up on November 4, 2026.

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