Comparison

FocusNova vs App Blocker & Focus

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

Head to head
About

FocusNova

Features
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Unlock Your Full Potential with Our Powerful Pomodoro Timer and App Blocker! Struggling to stay focused in a world full of distractions? Say goodbye to procrastination and hello to peak performance with our innovative Pomodoro Timer and App Blocker combo. This powerful productivity tool helps you make the most of your time, whether you're working, studying, or pursuing personal projects. Key Features: Classic Pomodoro Technique: Work in focused 25-minute intervals, followed by short 5-minute breaks. After four "Pomodoros," take a longer 15-30 minute break to recharge. Intelligent App Blocking: Automatically blocks distracting applications and websites during focus sessions. Stay on task and maximize your productivity. Task Management: Organize and prioritize your to-do list within the app. Break down larger projects into manageable Pomodoro sessions. Progress Tracking: Monitor your productivity with detailed statistics. Track completed Pomodoros, total focus time, and task completion rates. Motivational Notifications: Receive encouraging reminders to start your next Pomodoro or take a break, maintaining a healthy work rhythm. Clean, Distraction-Free Interface: Our minimalist design keeps you focused on what matters most – your work. Why Choose Our Pomodoro Timer and App Blocker? Scientifically Proven: The Pomodoro Technique improves focus, reduces mental fatigue, and enhances overall productivity. Overcome Procrastination: Timed work sessions and app blocking help you start tasks and maintain momentum. Improve Time Management: Gain a better understanding of how you spend your time, leading to improved work-life balance. Reduce Stress and Burnout: Regular breaks prevent mental exhaustion and reduce stress. Boost Creativity: Short, focused work sessions followed by breaks enhance creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. Increase Accountability: Tracking features help you stay accountable to your goals. Versatile Application: Suitable for students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to boost productivity. How It Works: Set Your Tasks: List and prioritize your tasks. Start a Pomodoro: Begin a 25-minute focused work session with automatic app blocking. Work Intensely: Concentrate solely on your chosen task. Take a Break: When the timer rings, take a 5-minute break. Repeat: After four Pomodoros, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. Track and Reflect: Review your progress regularly. Tips for Success: Start Small: Begin with shorter intervals if needed and gradually increase. Honor the Break: Don't skip breaks; they're crucial for maintaining focus and preventing burnout. Customize Your Blocked Apps: Tailor the app blocking feature to your specific needs. Use for Various Tasks: Apply the technique to work, study, writing, or any task requiring focus. Combine with Other Techniques: Pair with methods like time blocking for even greater productivity. The Science Behind the Pomodoro Technique: The technique's effectiveness is rooted in psychological and cognitive science: Aligns with natural attention spans (20-30 minutes) Creates a sense of urgency, increasing focus and motivation Reduces decision fatigue Overcomes the Zeigarnik Effect by creating frequent sense of completion Incorporates principles of spaced learning for better information retention App Blocking: Your Personal Productivity Guardian Customizable Blocklist: Choose which apps and websites to block during Pomodoro sessions. Flexible Blocking: Automatically activates during work sessions and deactivates during breaks. Strengthens Willpower: Trains your brain to focus for longer periods. Provides Productivity Insights: Helps you understand your digital habits. Terms of Use (EULA) https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

App Blocker & Focus

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No social media in the hour before bed. Videos capped at one hour a day. Set it once, and Isshin blocks those apps automatically when the time comes. β–  HOW IT DIFFERS FROM IPHONE SCREEN TIME Built-in Screen Time limits are easy to turn off yourself. Isshin adds a moment of friction right when you reach for your phone out of habit. β€’ A breathing pause before you can unblock β€’ Choose from four strictness levels: longer waits, or missions you must clear to unblock. In Deep (Pro), you can't unblock, and you can't delete any app on your iPhone, until the block ends β–  WHAT YOU CAN DO [FOCUS TIMER] For when you need to focus now. Pick a duration and tap to lock your apps. The apps you chose stay closed until the timer ends. [RULES] Limit apps automatically at the same times every day. For example: β€’ Schedule: pause social media on weekdays from 9 PM to 7 AM β€’ Time limit: short-video apps for up to 30 minutes a day β€’ Open limit: games up to 5 times a day β€’ Walk to unlock (Pro): locked until you walk 3,000 steps Every rule is fully customizable, so you can build ones you'll actually stick with. [BLOCK MISSIONS (Pro)] A small task before you unblock: trace a dot, turn your phone, solve a math problem, or copy a passage. [STATS] Look back on your screen time trends and the time you've taken back. β–  MADE FOR YOU IF β€’ Late-night scrolling is cutting into your sleep β€’ A quick video between tasks turns into an hour β€’ You keep opening social media while studying for exams β€’ You've switched off your own Screen Time limits before β€’ You want to make digital detox an easy habit β–  FREE β€’ Focus timer (unlimited sessions) β€’ 1 rule β€’ Block up to 5 apps β€’ Block screen with a breathing pause β€’ All-time stats β–  ISSHIN PRO β€’ Unlimited rules β€’ Block up to 49 apps, plus categories and websites β€’ Allow list: block everything except the apps you choose β€’ Harder-to-unblock levels (Strict / Intense / Deep) and block missions β€’ Step-based rules with Apple Health β€’ Always-on blocking and adult website blocking β€’ Weekly and daily stats, plus more themes Try Isshin Pro free for 7 days with the annual plan. Start taking back your time today. β–  PRIVACY Isshin uses Apple's Screen Time API. Your Screen Time data never leaves your device, and Isshin can't see what you do inside your apps. For subscription terms, see the links below. Privacy Policy: https://nosy-geography-e61.notion.site/Isshin-Privacy-Policy-3af4cd0e66cb81988367ddac665d479a Terms of Use: https://nosy-geography-e61.notion.site/Terms-of-Service-3ce4cd0e66cb800cbca9d796e38bd367

Screenshots

FocusNova3 screens
App Blocker & Focus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: FocusNova at every 4 days against App Blocker & Focus's every 10 days. FocusNova also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. FocusNova sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per month and App Blocker & Focus sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FocusNova ships an update every 4 days, App Blocker & Focus every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
FocusNova versus App Blocker & Focus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocusNovaApp Blocker & Focus
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 4 days β€” betterEvery 10 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.0 β€” better18.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size31 MB46 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developeriori kojimaYuichiro Honda

In-app purchases

1 purchases

FocusNova

Subscriptions1
  • Subscription7 Days trial$1.991 Month
2 purchases

App Blocker & Focus

Subscriptions2
  • Isshin Pro (Monthly)$5.991 Month
  • Isshin Pro (Annual)7 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is FocusNova free?
FocusNova is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is App Blocker & Focus free?
App Blocker & Focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do FocusNova or App Blocker & Focus have ads?
Neither FocusNova nor App Blocker & Focus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FocusNova or App Blocker & Focus?
FocusNova ships an update every 4 days, and App Blocker & Focus every 10 days. Most recently, FocusNova was updated on November 4, 2026 and App Blocker & Focus on October 31, 2026.

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