HCF vs Lachlan
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/
Lachlan
This app acts as a digital padlock that blocks distracting applications on a set schedule. It requires users to explain their reasons for wanting to access blocked apps, making the decision to bypass the block a conscious one rather than a reflex. It aims to create friction and awkwardness to prevent accidental usage.
- Scheduled app blocking
- Justification required for bypass
- Personalized reminders
- Instant lockdown mode
- Offline functionality
- Home screen widget
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Every app blocker is one tap from off. This one asks why. Lachlan is a small, deeply opinionated padlock who blocks your most distracting apps on a schedule you set, and then makes you explain yourself before he lets you back in. WHY THIS WORKS WHEN NOTHING ELSE HAS Most blockers are a wall you learn to climb in about three seconds. Lachlan is a conversation you have to have with a character who remembers what you said you wanted, and wants to know why you're doing this instead. Most of the time, you find you don't have a good reason to get into these distracting apps. HOW IT WORKS 1. Pick your problem apps. Social media, games, news, whatever's eating your time 2. Set a schedule, time limit, location, or timer to block your apps the way you want. 3. Try to open a blocked app and you'll hit the shield instead. 4. Open Lachlan and make your case. Depending on how good your reason is, he'll grant you 5, 15, or 30 minutes. 5. He keeps score. The fourth unlock of the day does not go like the first. HE ACTUALLY REMEMBERS YOU When you set up, Lachlan asks why you're cutting back and what you'd do with the time you got back. Then he brings it up. "You said you wanted to finish studying" lands very differently at 11pm than a generic productivity notification. He knows your name, your reasons, and exactly how many times you've caved today. Most blockers are stateless. Lachlan is not, and that's the whole difference. ALSO INCLUDED - Trends tab showing you screen time history - Streak system to keep you engaged each day - A home screen widget showing Lachlan's current mood - Custom block screens - Works offline, on a plane, in a tunnel, anywhere Subscription is required for access to the above features. https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: HCF at free with in-app purchases against Lachlan's subscription. HCF also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). Lachlan's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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 and Lachlan sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for HCF against 5.0 for Lachlan. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 8 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
HCF ships an update fortnightly, Lachlan every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HCF | Lachlan |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (9 ratings) | 5.0 (8 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 9 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 35 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Flyt19 Inc. | ND Enterprises |
Customer experience
HCF
Lachlan
In-app purchases
HCF
- Focus Pass Monthly3 Days trial$3.991 Month
- Hardcore Focus Pass3 Days trial$29.991 Year
Lachlan
- Weekly Subscription3 Days trial$3.997 Days
- Lachlan Monthly Subscription$7.991 Month
- Lachlan Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$69.991 Year









