Comparison

Effectivate vs Focus

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

Head to head
About

Effectivate

Enhance memory and cognitive function with scientifically backed exercises tailored for older adults. This AI-powered app adapts to your abilities, offering personalized 15-minute training sessions to optimize brain health and delay decline.

Highlights
  • AI-powered personalized training
  • Focus on memory and attention
  • 15-minute daily sessions
  • Improves cognitive flexibility
  • Enhances executive functions
  • Based on neuropsychological studies
Features
Read full description

Unlock the full potential of your mind and enhance memory with Effectivate, the leading brain training app designed specifically for older individuals. Our scientifically backed exercises are tailored to optimize brain function and achieve peak mental performance, empowering you to preserve and improve your cognitive health as you age. Memory and attention are vital cognitive functions, and Effectivate's program focuses on these areas through a combination of cutting-edge techniques and practical memory strategies. Engage in 15-minute training sessions throughout the week, specifically designed to meet the unique needs of our cognition as we mature, providing you with a comfortable and rewarding experience while maximizing results. With our AI-powered technology, Effectivate's training modules adapt to your specific abilities, ensuring that you receive a personalized and effective training program. By actively participating in our program, you can delay memory decline and unlock the full potential of your brain, improving your quality of life and overall cognitive well-being. Our exercises encompass a wide range of cognitive skills, including but not limited to: Working memory Spatial attention Cognitive flexibility Executive functions Mnemonic strategies Our exercises are based on the latest neuropsychological studies, challenging the notion that age should limit your ability to develop, adapt, and learn. Effectivate is committed to providing you with the tools and resources necessary to optimize your brain health. Whether you're looking to maintain your cognitive abilities or actively improve your performance of daily tasks, our app offers a comprehensive and enjoyable experience. Download Effectivate today and embark on a journey to enhance your cognitive abilities, delay memory decline, and unlock the full potential of your mind. It's never too late to invest in your brain health and improve your quality of life. For the full terms of use please see: https://effectivate.com/terms-and-conditions/

About

Focus

Features
Read full description

One app. One price. Zero distractions. Focus is a simple attention training app with 3 science-backed exercises designed to strengthen your ability to concentrate. Pay once — no subscriptions, no ads, no in-app purchases. Ever. WHAT YOU GET Focus Lock — Sustain attention on a single target while distractions try to pull you away. Train the ability to stay locked in. Inhibition Test — Respond quickly to targets while resisting the urge to react to distractors. Build impulse control and selective attention. Rhythm Tap — Maintain a steady rhythm by tapping in time. Practice sustained concentration and internal timing. Each exercise is grounded in cognitive science research on attention, inhibition, and working memory. WHY FOCUS WORKS Most focus apps are just timers. Focus actually trains the cognitive skills behind attention: · Selective attention — filtering out what doesn't matter · Sustained attention — staying on task without drifting · Inhibitory control — resisting impulses and distractions Sessions take 30 seconds to 5 minutes. Short enough to fit anywhere in your day. Challenging enough to actually improve your focus over time. BUILT FOR DAILY PRACTICE · Streak tracking keeps you consistent · Adjustable difficulty grows with you · Clean, minimal design — zero distractions · Accessibility-first: VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, high contrast ONE PRICE. NO TRICKS. Focus is a one-time purchase. You pay once and get everything. No free tier with annoying upsells. No subscription to cancel. No ads. Just the full app, forever. DESIGNED FOR · Students who need better study focus · Professionals who struggle with distractions at work · Anyone who feels their attention span has gotten shorter · People looking for a simple, no-nonsense brain training tool Focus is intentionally simple. Three exercises. Daily practice. Real improvement. Download once. Own forever. Start training your focus today.

Screenshots

Effectivate4 screens
Focus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Effectivate at Free against Focus's $4.99. Effectivate also leads on update cadence (every 11 days vs every 5 months). Focus's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On ads, device support 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

Effectivate is free to download; Focus costs $4.99 up front. Effectivate sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $16.90 per month. Focus asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Effectivate ships an update every 11 days, Focus every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Effectivate versus Focus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEffectivateFocus
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating4.0 (12 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings12 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB4 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperEffectivateYingwen Wang

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Effectivate

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$16.901 Month
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$149.991 Year
None

Focus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Effectivate free?
Effectivate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Focus free?
Focus costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Effectivate or Focus have ads?
Neither Effectivate nor Focus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Effectivate or Focus?
Effectivate ships an update every 11 days, and Focus every 5 months. Most recently, Effectivate was updated on October 24, 2026 and Focus on October 25, 2026.

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