# HCF vs Approval Studio

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Approval Studio at none against HCF's 2. Approval Studio also leads on ads (none vs shown). HCF's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 10 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. HCF sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Approval Studio asks for nothing beyond the download.

HCF ships an update fortnightly, Approval Studio every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HCF | Approval Studio |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hcf-hardcore-focus/id6720709211/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **9** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 10 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 16 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.4 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Flyt19 Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1770646599) | [HiTech Service](https://appshunter.io/developer/1124417233) |

## What reviewers say

### HCF

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hcf-hardcore-focus/id6720709211)

This app helps users break free from distractions and lock into focused work or study sessions. It offers a focus timer, habit tracking, and a gamified rewards system to make productivity engaging and rewarding.

**Highlights:** Hardcore Focus Timer, Gamified rewards and story progression, Distraction-free design, Customizable focus sessions, Habit tracking, Phone locking for accountability

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Focus Pass Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Hardcore Focus Pass | $29.99 | per year |


### Approval Studio

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/approval-studio/id6747336607)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HCF free?

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

### Is Approval Studio free?

Approval Studio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do HCF or Approval Studio have ads?

HCF shows ads; Approval Studio does not.

### Which is updated more often, HCF or Approval Studio?

HCF ships an update fortnightly, and Approval Studio every 10 months. Most recently, HCF was updated on October 21, 2026 and Approval Studio on October 28, 2026.

---

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