# Ultimate Focus vs Tempo

The clearest difference is rating: Tempo at 5.0 against Ultimate Focus's 4.6. Ultimate Focus's advantage is ratings volume (183 vs 2) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Ultimate Focus sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Tempo sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Tempo holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ultimate Focus has 183 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Ultimate Focus ships an update every 3 weeks, Tempo every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ultimate Focus | Tempo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (183 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ultimate-focus-visual-timer/id1663556775/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tempo-visual-countdown-timer/id6757446047/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **183** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 85.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 92 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [StonicSolution](https://appshunter.io/developer/1609276235) | [Foundry24 LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1828222955) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Tempo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tempo-visual-countdown-timer/id6757446047)

This app transforms countdown timers into clear visual progress indicators, helping you stay focused on tasks like work, study, or cooking. It offers multiple visualization options and a distraction-free interface, working reliably offline without requiring an account.

**Highlights:** Multiple visualization options, Clean, distraction-free interface, Works offline, No account setup, Reliable background operation, Privacy-focused

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tempo Pro | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ultimate Focus free?

Ultimate Focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Tempo free?

Tempo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Ultimate Focus or Tempo?

Tempo is rated higher. Ultimate Focus averages 4.6 out of 5 from 183 ratings, while Tempo averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Ultimate Focus or Tempo have ads?

Neither Ultimate Focus nor Tempo shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Ultimate Focus or Tempo?

Ultimate Focus ships an update every 3 weeks, and Tempo every 2 months. Most recently, Ultimate Focus was updated on October 6, 2026 and Tempo on September 23, 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.*