# Focus vs Ultimate Focus

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Focus | Ultimate Focus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.6 (183 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ultimate-focus-visual-timer/id1663556775/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **183** |
| Positive reviews | — | 85.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Size | 4 MB | 92 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Good Effect](https://appshunter.io/developer/432391844) | [StonicSolution](https://appshunter.io/developer/1609276235) |

## What reviewers say

### Focus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-pomodoro-timer/id1615160849)

**In-app purchases:** none


### Ultimate Focus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ultimate-focus-visual-timer/id1663556775)

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:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ultimate Focus - Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Ultimate Focus - Annual | $17.99 | per year |
| Ultimate Focus - Annual | $17.99 | per year |
| Ultimate Focus - Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and intuitive UI
- ✨ Beautiful and clean aesthetic
- ⌚️ Apple Watch integration
- 📊 Useful analytics and statistics
- 🖱️ Menu bar timer display

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Pomodoro mode not working for some
- 🐛 Timer not movable after exiting desktop app
- 🐛 Session switching on iPhone is confusing
- 🐛 Subscription not as advertised
- 🐛 Shortcuts only allow one section selection

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Pause and resume timer functionality
- Guide website for usage
- Option to purchase premium
- Improve iPhone session switching clarity
- Pomodoro mode without breaks


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*