Comparison

FocusFlight vs simREF

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

Head to head
About

FocusFlight

This app combines aviation themes with productivity tools to help users focus. It blocks distracting apps and allows users to track their focus sessions with personalized routes and achievements.

Highlights
  • Personalized focus sessions
  • Distraction-free "Airplane Mode"
  • App blocking via Screen Time integration
  • Route tagging and focus data tracking
  • Virtual flight map and city unlocks
  • Customizable focus reminders
Features
Read full description

## Focus Timer ## App Blocker In a world full of distractions, FocusFlight offers a unique way to focus: turning every session into an immersive flight journey. From boarding and takeoff to staying focused in the air and landing at the end, FocusFlight combines aviation-inspired design with practical focus tools. It is more than a timer or app blocker — it is an experience that helps you avoid distractions, get into flow, and complete what matters. FocusFlight has been featured by the App Store as App of the Day. Whether you are studying, working, reading, or simply trying to put your phone down, FocusFlight helps you start with intention and end with a sense of completion. FOCUSFLIGHT FEATURES 【Immersive Flight Experience】 Opening FocusFlight feels like boarding a focus flight. Set your boarding pass, choose your task and focus duration, then begin your own deep focus journey. When the session ends, your flight lands safely with a clear sense of achievement. 【Airplane Mode, Block Distractions】 Turn on “Airplane Mode” to block distracting apps and websites during your focus session. Powered by Apple’s Screen Time integration, FocusFlight helps you stay away from interruptions and focus on what matters. 【3D Map Window View】 During your focus session, watch your journey through a 3D map window. As time passes, your flight moves across the world map, turning focus into a journey you can see and feel. 【3D Flight Routes】 Every focus session becomes a visualized flight route. See where you departed, where you are heading, and review the routes you have completed. 【Random Route Mode】 Not sure where to fly? Start with Random Route Mode. No need to choose a destination in advance — just begin focusing, and discover where you land when the session ends. 【FlightLog】 Every focus flight is saved in FlightLog. Review your departure city, landing city, focus duration, flight distance, and route history. 【Membership Cards & Flight Miles】 As your focus time and flight miles grow, you can unlock and upgrade your own membership cards. Each card marks your progress and gives your journey a stronger sense of identity. 【Multiple Map Modes】 FocusFlight offers 3D, satellite, and classic map modes. Explore routes and destinations from different perspectives, and enjoy traveling the world while staying focused. 【White Noise & Focus Music】 During each focus flight, you can turn on white noise or focus music to create a calmer environment for studying, working, or reading. From airplane ambience to soothing focus tracks, FocusFlight helps you enter a quieter, more focused state. 【Focus Records & Data Tracking】 Each session leaves a clear record, including your boarding pass, flight data, route, and focus duration. Use these records to review your focus habits and see the value of every session. 【Different Focus Types】 Choose focus types through seat options, such as study, work, reading, or creative time. Make every flight better matched to your current task, and make focusing more flexible and fun. SUBSCRIBE TO FOCUSFLIGHT • Subscription Plans: “FocusFlight All-Access Plan (Annual Auto-Renewal)” and “FocusFlight All-Access Plan (Monthly Auto-Renewal)”; • Subscription Type: Auto-renewable subscription; • Subscription Price: $18.99/year / $3.99/month; • Cancel Subscription: To cancel your subscription, go to iPhone Settings → Apple Account → Subscriptions, and select “FocusFlight All-Access Plan (Annual Auto-Renewal)” or “FocusFlight All-Access Plan (Monthly Auto-Renewal)” to cancel. If you do not cancel at least 24 hours before the subscription period ends, the subscription will automatically renew. • Renewal: The Apple ID associated with the auto-renewable subscription will be charged through your App Store account within 24 hours before each billing period ends to extend the subscription. • Terms of Service, including subscription policies: https://focus.flights/terms • Privacy Policy: https://focus.flights/privacy

About

simREF

This app provides quick-reference checklists and operational data for flight simulation on iPad. It features interactive normal and abnormal checklists, essential flight data, and a CG/Trim calculator for takeoff planning in a distraction-free, dark UI optimized for cockpit environments.

Highlights
  • Interactive Normal & Abnormal Checklists
  • Operational Data at a glance
  • CG/Trim calculator
  • Offline functionality
  • Dark UI for cockpit environments
  • iPad landscape optimized
Read full description

simREF is a quick-reference companion for flight simulation on iPad. Navigate realistic normal & abnormal checklists and operational data in a distraction-free UI. Features - Interactive Normal & Abnormal Checklists (A319/A320/A321/A330/A340/A350) - Operational Data at a glance (speeds, limitations, references) - CG/Trim calculator for takeoff planning (non A350) Works offline, designed for iPad in landscape Dark UI optimized for cockpit environments Who it’s for Flight-sim enthusiasts seeking a structured, QRH-style workflow on iPad. Notes For flight simulation use only. Not for real-world flight operations or training. simREF is not affiliated with or endorsed by any aircraft manufacturer or add-on developer.

Screenshots

FocusFlight4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: simREF at free with in-app purchases against FocusFlight's subscription. simREF also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 89%). FocusFlight's advantage is ratings volume (9.8K vs 3) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. FocusFlight sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and simREF sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

simREF holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FocusFlight has 9.8K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of FocusFlight's written reviews are positive against 100% of simREF's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FocusFlight ships an update every 5 days, simREF every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
FocusFlight versus simREF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocusFlightsimREF
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (9.8K ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9.8K — better3
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPad
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size292 MB148 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperCement Planet LTDChris-Luca Fischer

Customer experience

FocusFlight

All ratings9,404 ratings
Positive96.7%
Neutral1.7%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews974 reviews
Positive88.8%
Neutral4.6%
Negative6.6%

simREF

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

FocusFlight

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • Developer unresponsive to user feedback and inquiries

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add more realistic flight simulation elements (e.g., flight paths, altitude, speed)
  • Rotate trends page to horizontal layout for better global view
  • Allow customization of aircraft types and interface

simREF

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

FocusFlight

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Annually3 Days trial$18.991 Year
One-time3
  • Lifetime$18.99
  • Lifetime$19.99
  • Lifetime$33.99
2 purchases

simREF

One-time2
  • IndiGo Virtual Integration$2.99
  • simREF Full Access$8.99

Questions

Is FocusFlight free?
FocusFlight is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is simREF free?
simREF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FocusFlight or simREF?
simREF is rated higher. FocusFlight averages 4.8 out of 5 from 9.8K ratings, while simREF averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do FocusFlight or simREF have ads?
Neither FocusFlight nor simREF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FocusFlight or simREF?
FocusFlight ships an update every 5 days, and simREF every 2 weeks. Most recently, FocusFlight was updated on October 24, 2026 and simREF on October 11, 2026.

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