Comparison

Focus vs Ultimate Focus

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

Head to head
About

Focus

Read full description

Focus Timer - Pomodoro Timer Focus -> Relax -> Focus -> Relax Iterate your workflow by using Pomodoro Technique to maximize your potential. Focus Timer app helps you concentrate what you are doing. Just do it Tap play button to start focus timer. Focus on your work. Do not touch your phone while working. When timer finished, start relax timer and take a break. Iterate It. Improving Focus Timer app store your workflow history in Apple Calendar app. Check your history in Apple Calendar app and evaluate it. Set work/reset time for your preference. Features Based on Pomodoro Technique, provide work-rest Iterate timer. Play/Pause button to control Timer. Stop button to reset Timer. Tap top title textfield to edit work/rest title. Tap center count textfield to edit Minutes. After finish one iterate, Filled dot will add on the top of screen. Your workflow history will added in Apple Calendar. Edit work/rest time on Settings app.

About

Ultimate Focus

Enhance your productivity with a visual timer designed for focused work and study. Manage tasks, utilize Pomodoro cycles, block distractions, and track your progress. Sync with your calendar and personalize your experience with customizable themes and sounds.

Highlights
  • Visual timer with drag-to-set functionality
  • Task-specific focus sessions
  • Pomodoro mode for cycles
  • Distracting app and website blocking
  • Calendar sync for sessions and reflections
  • Customizable themes and icons
  • Home Screen widgets and Shortcuts integration
Features
Read full description

Focus is built less on willpower and more on an environment that makes it easy to begin. Ultimate Focus is a simple focus timer designed with only the features you actually need for work and study. Manage separate sessions for each task, review your focus, use Pomodoro mode, block distracting apps, and sync your sessions with Calendar—all in one app. Features - Drag your finger to quickly set the timer. - Organize your focus time by separating sessions for different tasks. - Stay in rhythm with Pomodoro mode for natural cycles of focus and break. - Review how you focused with stats and reflection features. - Sync your focus sessions and reflections with the Calendar app. - Personalize the app with 70+ color themes and app icons. - Check your focus stats or start a timer right away from Home Screen widgets. - Start a timer using Shortcuts. - Block selected apps and websites while you focus. - Use Habits to receive reminders at the times you want. - Customize notification sounds and background music to match your style. (Premium) - Sync and edit your focus records across devices with iCloud. (Premium) If you experience any issues while using the app, have questions, or find a bug, please contact us anytime at hello@ultimatefocus.app. Terms of Use : https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Focus4 screens
Ultimate Focus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Focus at none against Ultimate Focus's 4. Ultimate Focus's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 10 months) and device support (6 vs 2). On price, ads and iOS requirement 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. Ultimate Focus sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Focus asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Focus ships an update every 10 months, Ultimate Focus every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Focus versus Ultimate Focus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocusUltimate Focus
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (183 ratings) — better
Positive reviews85.1% of reviews
Number of ratings183 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB92 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGood EffectStonicSolution

Bugs and requests

Focus

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Ultimate Focus

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • Pomodoro mode not working
  • Timer not movable after exiting desktop app
  • Session switching on iPhone is confusing
  • Shortcuts only allow one section selection
  • Default timer is always 25 min
Show 12 more
  • Restarting phone requires re-onboarding
  • Alarm sound is too short
  • Icon cannot be moved on home screen
  • Timer doesn't record if stopped early
  • Timer end memo sometimes doesn't display
  • Keynote doesn't show timer overlay
  • App volume cannot be adjusted
  • Dock icon cannot be hidden
  • Sync issues across devices
  • Apple Watch timer stops when screen dims
  • Apple Watch app lacks break timer
  • Timer not resetting correctly

Requested features

37 requests
  • Pause and resume timer functionality
  • Guide website for usage
  • Option to purchase premium
  • Improve iPhone session switching clarity
  • Pomodoro mode without breaks
Show 32 more
  • Ability to add time manually after forgetting to start
  • Count-up (stopwatch) mode
  • Ability to choose own theming colors
  • Weekly report with productivity insights
  • AI to break down trends
  • Continuous timer alarm sound until dismissed
  • Real-time widget for specific sessions
  • Ability to set default timer per session
  • Option to change daily reset time (e.g., 2 AM instead of midnight)
  • Show current time on Apple Watch timer screen
  • Option to hide numbers on menu bar timer
  • Option to have timer circle represent full visual space regardless of duration
  • Ability to run multiple timers simultaneously
  • Bar graph option for timer visualization
  • Stopwatch mode for flexible time tracking
  • Option to change time cycle for daily reset
  • One-time purchase option for premium
  • More sound themes or custom color themes
  • Option to disable retrospect pop-up
  • Digital display option for timer
  • Adjustable alarm volume within the app
  • Option to hide app icon from dock
  • Tutorial for Pomodoro mode settings
  • Option to make timer display on Keynote
  • Sync session and retrospect lists across devices
  • Improve Apple Watch app functionality (e.g., break timer)
  • Option to set timer for over 60 minutes
  • Option to reset timer to start from beginning
  • Option to have timer on every desktop
  • Option to show only icon on menu bar
  • Invert clock colors for focus and break times
  • Ability to change timer duration for each session individually

In-app purchases

None

Focus

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Ultimate Focus

Subscriptions3
  • Ultimate Focus - Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Ultimate Focus - Annual7 Days trial$17.991 Year
  • Ultimate Focus - Annual$17.991 Year
One-time1
  • Ultimate Focus - Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is Focus free?
Focus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ultimate Focus free?
Ultimate Focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Focus or Ultimate Focus have ads?
Neither Focus nor Ultimate Focus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Focus or Ultimate Focus?
Focus ships an update every 10 months, and Ultimate Focus every 3 weeks. Most recently, Focus was updated on September 8, 2026 and Ultimate Focus on September 22, 2026.

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