Comparison

SimpliFocus vs Recall

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

Head to head
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.

About

Recall

This app helps you learn and retain information using spaced repetition flashcards. It supports offline study, private cloud syncing, and importing from other popular flashcard formats.

Highlights
  • FSRS spaced repetition algorithm
  • Offline study support
  • Private CloudKit sync
  • Native Anki import
  • Selective deck syncing
  • Local-first architecture
Features
Read full description

A flashcard app using the FSRS algorithm. Features offline support, private CloudKit sync, and native Anki imports. App Store Description Recall is a local-first (on Mac) spaced repetition flashcard app built for privacy, and efficiency. It uses a custom SQLite backend and the Free Spaced Repetition Scheduler (FSRS) to manage your reviews. Core Features: Anki Import: Natively imports Anki .apkg files. Preserves your existing media, cloze deletions, and Image Occlusion masks. (When exporting your Anki file check - Support older Anki versions; otherwise it will not import to Recall). Infinite Whiteboards: Can create infinite whiteboards that can be shared and exported. Supports Recall flashcards being added to them and can be flipped. Supports occluding parts of your whiteboard to help you recall information. Local-First Architecture: The app runs entirely from a local database. It does not require an active internet connection to study, search, or edit cards. Advanced Scheduling: Uses the FSRS algorithm to calculate review intervals, minimizing daily workload while maintaining retention. Private CloudKit Sync: Syncs via your personal iCloud account using Advanced Data Protection. Your data and media are encrypted before leaving your device. Selective Sync: Choose which decks sync to iCloud and which stay local, saving storage space on your iPhone for large, media-heavy decks. Standalone Mode: Can be used completely offline with sync permanently disabled.

Screenshots

SimpliFocus4 screens
Recall4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: SimpliFocus at every 8 days against Recall's every 3 weeks. On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for SimpliFocus against 5.0 for Recall. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SimpliFocus ships an update every 8 days, Recall every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
SimpliFocus versus Recall: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimpliFocusRecall
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings4 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size59 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJosh WoodKedarnath Malapati

Customer experience

SimpliFocus

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

Recall

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

SimpliFocus

No in-app purchases

None

Recall

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SimpliFocus free?
SimpliFocus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Recall free?
Recall is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SimpliFocus or Recall?
SimpliFocus and Recall are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 4 and 3 ratings respectively.
Do SimpliFocus or Recall have ads?
Neither SimpliFocus nor Recall shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SimpliFocus or Recall?
SimpliFocus ships an update every 8 days, and Recall every 3 weeks. Most recently, SimpliFocus was updated on November 3, 2026 and Recall on October 31, 2026.

Other comparisons