Comparison

Nereus vs DepthWork

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

Head to head
About

Nereus

This app helps you focus by blocking distracting applications on your iPhone during dedicated work sessions. It syncs with a desktop application to automatically lock down your phone, allowing you to choose which apps to block and stay productive.

Highlights
  • Blocks distracting apps
  • Deep Work mode
  • Cross-device sync
  • QR code pairing
  • Customizable app blocking
Features
Read full description

~REQUIRES NEREUS DESKTOP APP~ Nereus helps you do your best work by blocking distracting apps on your iPhone during Deep Work sessions. DEEP WORK MODE When you're ready to focus, Nereus shields distracting apps so you can't access them until your session ends. No willpower needed - just scan the QR code from the Nereus Mac app and your phone locks down automatically. CROSS-DEVICE SYNC Pair your iPhone with the Nereus desktop app via QR code. Start a session on your Mac or Windows and your phone blocks until you complete your focus session. APP BLOCKING Select exactly which apps distract you most. Social media, messaging, games - block what you need, keep what matters. STAY DEEP Stay where digital distractions aren't - at the bottom of the sea.

About

DepthWork

Features
Read full description

Most focus apps just count minutes. DepthWork measures the quality of your attention — built for ADHD minds, developers, and anyone who's tried every timer and still can't stay focused. Cal Newport called it deep work. We built the tool that measures whether you actually did it. Designed around peer-reviewed research on attention, habit formation, and flow states, DepthWork turns deep work into a system you can actually train. WHAT MAKES DEPTHWORK DIFFERENT Focus Depth Index (FDI) — a single 0–100 score that reflects how deep your focus really went, not just how long you sat there. Flow state detection — sessions that cross the ~25-minute uninterrupted threshold earn a rare Flow badge, inspired by Csíkszentmihályi's research. Distraction timing matters — interruptions early in a session cost more than late ones, modeling the well-known 23-minute re-focus cost. Goal completion bonus — set a micro-goal before each session — completing it adds a significant bonus to your FDI score. Focus fitness tracking — watch your focus score grow week over week as your sessions get deeper. HOW IT WORKS Set your intention. A short pre-session goal primes your attention before the timer starts. Focus without interruption. The app silently tracks session quality in the background. Get your FDI score. Completion ratio, distraction decay, timing penalty, and goal completion combine into a meaningful number. Build the habit. Your FDI trend, flow badges, and weekly progress chart show how your attention actually improves — not just whether you showed up. ACHIEVEMENTS THAT MEAN SOMETHING Every badge marks a measurable point in your focus development — backed by the same research that powers the FDI score: First Synapse — your first focus session Myelin Builder — one week in, your routine is taking shape Habit Encoded — three weeks of practice, focus starts to feel automatic Neural Architect — one month in, focus is becoming part of who you are Flow Native — six months, flow sessions are a regular part of your week Zone Entered — your first fully uninterrupted session THE RESEARCH BEHIND IT 23-minute distraction recovery (UC Irvine attention research) Repeated, deliberate practice as the foundation of habit-building Goal completion as one of the most reliable reinforcement loops Strategically timed breaks to sustain attention Flow state thresholds drawn from Csíkszentmihályi's work Pink and white noise at low volumes to support sustained attention PRIVATE BY DESIGN No account required All data stays on your device No tracking, no ads, no data sharing Works fully offline WHO IT'S FOR Knowledge workers tired of shallow productivity timers Students preparing for deep, sustained study Writers, designers, developers, researchers, and anyone who lives by their attention People with ADHD rebuilding focus after years of fragmented digital habits PRICING Try DepthWork Premium free for 7 days. After your trial, Premium continues at $1.99/month unless canceled. Cancel anytime in your Apple ID settings. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the end of the trial. Subscription automatically renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscription in your Apple ID account settings. Train your focus. Work deeper. Think clearer. A NOTE ON THE SCIENCE DepthWork is informed by widely cited attention and focus research, but it does not measure your brain directly — there are no EEG sensors or neural readings. The Focus Depth Index is a behavioral score derived from your session activity (interruption timing, goal completion, session length, and distraction patterns). It is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose or treat ADHD or any other condition.

Screenshots

Nereus1 screens
DepthWork4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Nereus at none against DepthWork's 2. Nereus also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). DepthWork's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads and device support 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. DepthWork sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Nereus asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nereus ships an update every 2 months, DepthWork every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Nereus versus DepthWork: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNereusDepthWork
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJoseph BalkanJakub Nowakowski

In-app purchases

None

Nereus

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

DepthWork

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly7 Days trial$17.991 Year

Questions

Is Nereus free?
Nereus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is DepthWork free?
DepthWork is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Nereus or DepthWork have ads?
Neither Nereus nor DepthWork shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Nereus or DepthWork?
Nereus ships an update every 2 months, and DepthWork every 8 days. Most recently, Nereus was updated on September 14, 2026 and DepthWork on October 4, 2026.

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