Comparison

focus vs SimpliFocus

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

Head to head
About

focus

This application helps you stay focused on tasks using a simple timer. It guides you through work sessions and scheduled breaks, with options to skip breaks and track your progress towards longer rest periods.

Highlights
  • Work and study session tracking
  • Short break notifications
  • Option to skip breaks
  • End of break notifications
  • Longer break reminders
  • Session history
Features
Read full description

The focus app is a very simple pomodoro timer that does not distract you from actually being focused on what matters. With focus you can: - Track your work or study sessions - Get notified when it's time for a short break - Skip short breaks if you feel like skippin' - Be notified when breaks end - Keep track of your sessions to remember about taking a longer break after 4 complete work sessions Use the focus app now, and achieve more!

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 Make space for focused work, study, and everyday tasks with a simple Pomodoro-inspired timer. Choose your session length, add an optional intention or focus tag, and tap Start. FOCUS AND REST Customize focus sessions, short breaks, long breaks, and your daily session goal. Keep track of your timer with Live Activities and Lock Screen updates. SEE YOUR PROGRESS Review your session history, including intentions, tags, focused time, and paused time. Use insights to explore your streaks and focus trends. MAKE IT YOURS Choose ambient focus sounds and adjust your timer settings to suit the way you work. An Apple Watch companion and widgets help keep your sessions close at hand. ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS Version 2.2.4 improves VoiceOver labels and navigation across key screens, larger-text layouts, and reduced-motion behavior. Settings controls and session history are easier to understand and use. SIMPLIFOCUS PRO Optional Pro features include expanded insights, additional ambient sounds, and more widget options. Pro is a one-time lifetime in-app purchase with no subscription. No ads. No account required. Just a little more room to focus.

Screenshots

focus4 screens
SimpliFocus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SimpliFocus at 5.0 against focus's 4.0. SimpliFocus also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5) and ratings volume (4 vs 1). 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. focus sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. SimpliFocus asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SimpliFocus holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 4 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

focus ships an update every 9 days, SimpliFocus every 8 days. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
focus versus SimpliFocus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterfocusSimpliFocus
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings14 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB59 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJakub AdamczykJosh Wood

Customer experience

focus

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

SimpliFocus

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

In-app purchases

5 purchases

focus

One-time5
  • Home brewed coffee$1.99
  • Notifications Customization$1.99
  • Session Customization$3.99
Show 2 more
  • Coffee at the café$8.99
  • Take me to lunch$19.99
None

SimpliFocus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is focus free?
focus 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, focus or SimpliFocus?
SimpliFocus is rated higher. focus averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while SimpliFocus averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do focus or SimpliFocus have ads?
Neither focus nor SimpliFocus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, focus or SimpliFocus?
focus ships an update every 9 days, and SimpliFocus every 8 days. Most recently, focus was updated on November 3, 2026 and SimpliFocus on November 3, 2026.

Other comparisons