HCF vs Focus Bubble
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
HCF
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.
- Hardcore Focus Timer
- Gamified rewards and story progression
- Distraction-free design
- Customizable focus sessions
- Habit tracking
- Phone locking for accountability
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**The Focus App the Works & Lock Into Hardcore Focus** Break free from "doom-scrolling" and distractions with **Hardcore Focus**—the ultimate **focus timer** and **productivity app** designed to help you take control of your time and unlock your potential. Whether you're conquering work tasks, acing your studies, or reclaiming moments for mindfulness, **Hardcore Focus** combines discipline and motivation to help you stay productive. With a **focus timer**, **habit tracker**, and **gamified rewards system**, it transforms productivity into a rewarding adventure. ### **Why Choose Hardcore Focus?** - **Phone Responsibly**: Stay committed to focus sessions with a system that locks distractions out. - **Unlock Your Potential**: Progress through engaging stories and earn rewards for every session completed. - **Minimalist Design**: Stay laser-focused with an interface built to keep interruptions at bay. - **Break Habits, Build Discipline**: Cultivate focus and transform screen time into productivity. ### **Who’s It For?** - **Students**: Focus on studies and eliminate procrastination. - **Professionals**: Boost productivity and achieve career goals. - **Mindfulness Seekers**: Reclaim your attention and find balance. - **Parents**: Lead by example with healthier phone habits. - **Habit Builders**: Build long-lasting focus routines with clear progress tracking. ### **Key Features**: - **Hardcore Focus Timer**: Stay locked into productive sessions without distractions. - **Rewards & Adventures**: Complete focus sessions to earn rewards and advance Grentel’s story. - **Distraction-Free Design**: No pop-ups, no ads—just you and your goals. - **Customizable Sessions**: Tailor focus times to fit your unique needs. - **Quick Start**: No sign-ups, no clutter—just focus. ### **Why Hardcore Focus Stands Out** Unlike other apps, **Hardcore Focus** locks you into your sessions for ultimate accountability. It’s not just a timer; it’s a lifestyle shift. Whether you’re reducing screen time, improving time management, or building better habits, Hardcore Focus is your companion on the journey to transformation. ### **How It Works**: 1. Start your focus session and lock in. 2. Keep your phone down to progress in Grentel’s adventure and earn rewards. 3. Track your success and celebrate the milestones of focus mastery. **Transform your productivity and focus with discipline. Download Hardcore Focus today and reclaim your time.** Hardcore Focus uses Apple’s standard LICENSED APPLICATION END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Focus Bubble
This app helps you reclaim your attention by blocking distracting apps during focused work or study sessions. Collaborate with friends in real-time, holding each other accountable to stay on task and build better focus habits together.
- Collaborative focus sessions
- Real-time participant tracking
- Powerful app blocking
- Customizable app restrictions
- Solo focus mode
- Session code sharing
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FocusBubble - Focus Together, Stay Accountable Your apps are designed to steal your attention. Take it back—together. COLLABORATIVE FOCUS SESSIONS Stop fighting distractions alone. Create or join focus sessions with friends using a simple code. See who's focusing in real-time and hold each other accountable. When you know others are counting on you, you're more likely to stay locked in. POWERFUL APP BLOCKING Select which apps and categories to block, then lock in. Your selected apps become completely inaccessible during focus mode—no exceptions, no workarounds. When locked, blocked apps show a shield screen until you unlock. HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose apps to block 2. Create or join a session 3. Lock in and focus STAY CONNECTED • Share simple session codes with friends • See live participant updates • Track who's actively focusing • Get notifications to stay motivated FOCUS MODES • Solo Focus: Block distractions on your own terms • Collaborative Focus: Join sessions and focus together • Customizable blocking: Choose exactly which apps to restrict PRIVACY & SECURITY Your data stays private. We only use Screen Time permissions to enforce your focus sessions. Sign in securely with Apple to sync sessions across devices. Perfect for students, remote workers, and anyone who wants to reclaim their attention and build better focus habits—together. Download FocusBubble and start focusing with purpose. --- Requires iOS Screen Time permissions to block apps during focus sessions.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Focus Bubble at none against HCF's 2. Focus Bubble also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 days vs fortnightly). HCF's advantage is ratings volume (9 vs 1). On price, rating, review sentiment 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
Both are free to download. HCF sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Focus Bubble asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for HCF against 5.0 for Focus Bubble. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HCF has 9 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
HCF ships an update fortnightly, Focus Bubble every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HCF | Focus Bubble |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (9 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 9 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Flyt19 Inc. | Abraham Mangona |
Customer experience
HCF
Focus Bubble
In-app purchases
HCF
- Focus Pass Monthly3 Days trial$3.991 Month
- Hardcore Focus Pass3 Days trial$29.991 Year
Focus Bubble
No in-app purchases









