Comparison

Defer vs Loop

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

Head to head
About

Defer

This app acts as a quick capture inbox for your thoughts and tasks. Simply input items to get them out of your head and into a secure, private space. It syncs across devices and offers export options for your data.

Highlights
  • Quick task capture
  • Private data storage
  • Automatic syncing
  • CSV export
  • Siri and Shortcuts integration
  • Customizable appearance (Pro)
  • Export to Apple Reminders/JSON (Pro)
Features
Read full description

Defer is the app to get things out of your head. It's a task inbox or a capture inbox. Simply open the app, type (or paste!), and move on, knowing the thing will be there when you need it later. It works best with the accompanying Mac app: capture something on your phone, act on it when you're back at your Mac. - Private by Design: All your data is either stored on device or in a private iCloud container if you've got an Apple ID. - Simple: No bloat. Fast. Just write! - Synced Automatically: No account creation needed. If you're signed in with the same Apple ID on multiple iOS devices, everything will just sync. - Export anytime: Take your data with you in the form of a very compatible .csv file. - Integrated with Siri, Shortcuts, and Widgets (activate Siri and then say "Defer Something") - Add dates, or don't! Put stuff out of site / out of mind until you need it. - Pro feature: Make the app your own by customizing colors and fonts. - Pro feature: Export to Apple Reminders or JSON - Pro feature: Use webhooks to send tasks to other apps, on demand or automatically. We take privacy seriously. Really. We don't track anything about you or how you use Defer. More here: https://deferapp.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Loop

This app provides a distraction-free timer to help users achieve deep focus and improve productivity. It offers customizable session lengths, background repetition, and subtle haptic feedback for uninterrupted work sessions.

Highlights
  • Minimalist distraction-free UI
  • Background session repetition
  • Customizable focus and break durations
  • Works with screen off
  • Precise haptic notifications
  • No accounts or ads
Read full description

Loop is a deep-focus timer designed for people who care about flow, craft, and discipline. A minimal interface, subtle haptics, and customizable session lengths help you get into focused work quickly—without the noise, badges, or gamification of typical productivity apps. Whether you're working through a long sprint, training attention, studying, writing, meditating, or simply trying to stay off your phone, Loop gives you a clean, intentional space to focus. Why Loop is different Minimal, elegant design — A distraction-free UI crafted for clarity and calm. Loop mode (background repetition) — Sessions automatically repeat so you can stay in flow without interruptions. Customizable timing — Set your focus, break, and long-break durations to match your rhythm. Works with screen off — Save battery and stay locked-in while the timer continues in the background. Precise haptics — Gentle taps notify you without breaking your concentration. No accounts, no ads, no clutter — Designed for people who want focus, not another feed. Perfect for Deep work Studying Writing & coding Meditation / breathwork timing Pomodoro-style sessions Creative sessions Anyone building discipline or reducing screen time Loop helps you create space for your best work. No friction. No dopamine traps. Just focus. Privacy & Respect Loop collects zero data. Your focus belongs to you.

Screenshots

Defer4 screens
Loop3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Defer at Free against Loop's $2.99. Defer also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (23 vs 1). Loop's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). 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

Defer is free to download; Loop costs $2.99 up front. Defer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Loop asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Loop holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Defer has 23 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Defer ships an update every 2 weeks, Loop every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Defer versus Loop: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDeferLoop
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.8 (23 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews90.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings23 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.2 — better18.4
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLevi Nelson, LLChsla0001

Customer experience

Defer

All ratings23 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral4.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive90.9%
Neutral9.1%
Negative0.0%

Loop

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Defer

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly$5.991 Year
None

Loop

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Defer free?
Defer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Loop free?
Loop costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Defer or Loop?
Loop is rated higher. Defer averages 4.8 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while Loop averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Defer or Loop have ads?
Neither Defer nor Loop shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Defer or Loop?
Defer ships an update every 2 weeks, and Loop every 2 months. Most recently, Defer was updated on September 30, 2026 and Loop on October 6, 2026.

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