# focusedOS vs Cairn

The clearest difference is update cadence: focusedOS at every 2 days against Cairn's every 3 days. focusedOS also leads on iOS requirement (16.1 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. focusedOS sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Cairn sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

focusedOS ships an update every 2 days, Cairn every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | focusedOS | Cairn |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focusedos-focus-and-screen-time/id6479256195/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **32** | — |
| Positive reviews | 77.8% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 days** | Every 3 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 112 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.1** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, Mac | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Michael Tigas](https://appshunter.io/developer/1364337001) | [Shrey Pinnada](https://appshunter.io/developer/6811047463) |

## What reviewers say

### focusedOS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focusedos-focus-and-screen-time/id6479256195)

This app helps you manage digital distractions and boost productivity across your devices. Create custom environments to adjust device behavior for work, study, or breaks, with powerful blocking and ambient sound features.

**Highlights:** Supercharge productivity with one tap, Create custom work/study environments, Block distracting apps and websites, Play ambient sounds for concentration, Automate environments with Shortcuts, Sync environments between iPhone and Mac

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| focusedOS Pro (1 month) | $3.99 | per month |
| focusedOS Pro (1 month) | $5.99 | per month |
| focusedOS Pro (1 month) | $7.99 | per month |
| focusedOS Pro (1 year) | $19.99 | per year |
| focusedOS Pro (1 year) | $29.99 | per year |
| focusedOS Pro (1 year) | $39.99 | per year |


### Cairn

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cairn-your-second-brain/id6811047461)

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cairn+ Lifetime | $14.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is focusedOS free?

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

### Is Cairn free?

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

### Do focusedOS or Cairn have ads?

Neither focusedOS nor Cairn shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, focusedOS or Cairn?

focusedOS ships an update every 2 days, and Cairn every 3 days. Most recently, focusedOS was updated on October 30, 2026 and Cairn on October 31, 2026.

---

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