# Study Buddies vs Focustown

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Study Buddies at none against Focustown's 21. Study Buddies also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 77%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.2). Focustown's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 months) and chart position (#154 vs unranked). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Focustown sells 21 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Study Buddies asks for nothing beyond the download.

Study Buddies ships an update every 2 months, Focustown every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Study Buddies | Focustown |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.8 (7.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focustown-pomodoro-timer/id6758457625/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **7.5K** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 76.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#154** |
| Size | 738 MB | 1.0 GB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [jason punselie](https://appshunter.io/developer/1679426285) | [Second Round Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1818164945) |

## What reviewers say

### Study Buddies

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/study-buddies-focus-timer/id6446861499)

This app uses a gamified Pomodoro technique to help users focus on tasks and reduce phone usage. It offers ambient sounds and competitive features to motivate users to build better habits and improve productivity.

**Highlights:** Gamified focus timer, Pomodoro technique, Habit tracking and building, Ambient sounds (lo-fi, white noise), Competitive features with friends, Phone addiction reduction

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Focustown

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focustown-pomodoro-timer/id6758457625)

**Currently charting:** #154 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

This app offers a virtual study environment where users can connect with others globally. Choose from cozy settings like cafes or libraries to focus alongside real people in real time, fostering accountability and motivation for students and professionals.

**Highlights:** Cozy study environments (cafes, libraries), Study with real people globally, Earn coins and customize character, Study with friends for accountability, Built-in focus timer

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (21)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Foucstown Pro Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Foucstown Pro Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Foucstown Pro Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Foucstown Pro Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Foucstown Pro Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Foucstown Pro Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Pocketful of Brown Beans | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pocketful Golden Beans | $0.99 | one-time |
| Purchase Coffee Boost | $0.99 | one-time |
| Single Coffee Boost | $0.99 | one-time |
| Handful of Golden Beans | $0.99 | one-time |
| Sack of Golden Beans | $2.99 | one-time |
| Bag of Brown Beans | $3.99 | one-time |
| Bucket of Golden Beans | $3.99 | one-time |
| Super Boost Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Sack of Golden Beans | $3.99 | one-time |
| Bucket of Brown Beans | $9.99 | one-time |
| Cart of Brown Beans | $9.99 | one-time |
| Bucket of Golden Beans | $9.99 | one-time |
| Bucket of Golden Beans | $19.99 | one-time |
| Cart of Golden Beans | $39.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Study Buddies free?

Study Buddies is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Focustown free?

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

### Do Study Buddies or Focustown have ads?

Both Study Buddies and Focustown show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Study Buddies or Focustown?

Study Buddies ships an update every 2 months, and Focustown every 2 days. Most recently, Study Buddies was updated on October 4, 2026 and Focustown on October 14, 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.*