Comparison

Focalist vs FlowStack

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

Head to head
About

Focalist

Manage your tasks efficiently with this fast to-do list app. Set reminders, organize your day, and get notified based on your location. Syncs seamlessly across devices.

Highlights
  • Fast task management
  • Efficient to-do lists
  • Customizable reminders
  • Location-based tasks
  • Cross-platform sync
Features
Read full description

A fast and efficient todo/task manager with reminders. Includes cross-platform sync and location-based tasks. • Edit tasks instantly without getting stuck in an item subscreen. It feels as lightweight as editing a document. • Bring your tasks to you. Everything you need to do is brought to the Now view - like your shopping list when you arrive at the grocery store, or the next task on a project. • Instant sync, with offline-first support. EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

FlowStack

This app helps you beat procrastination and sharpen focus with a simple timer and task manager. Organize your day into routines, stack tasks sequentially, and track your progress with built-in statistics. Ideal for individuals with ADHD, students, and professionals seeking enhanced productivity.

Highlights
  • Flexible task timer
  • Stack tasks sequentially
  • Build habits with daily routines
  • ADHD-friendly focus
  • Live Activities and Dynamic Island integration
  • Track daily & weekly stats
  • Unlimited tasks (free version)
Features
Read full description

No ads. No account required. Just focus. FlowStack is a simple productivity timer, task manager, and routine app designed to beat procrastination and sharpen focus by having a clear name and timer for your task. Use it as a flexible timer for personal, work or study tasks, daily routines, or a focus tool if you struggle with multitasking or constant task switching. FlowStack keeps you on track and making real progress, one task at a time. In FlowStack, each task or to-do has an estimated duration and a timer that starts ticking down when you start the session. This makes it easier starting the task, and helps you get into a flow state by focusing on one task at a time. The current task is also shown as a Live Activity and in the Dynamic Island, making it easy to stay on task even while you're using another app. Once you're done, FlowStack pushes you into the next task. Need more time to finish the first task? Simply add more time to the timer, or continue in a flow state where time is unlimited. If you want to use it as a to-do list rather than focus session, you can also complete a task without starting the timer. Perfect for: • Procrastinators who struggle getting started • People with ADHD seeking simple focus tools • Anyone organizing tasks into daily routines • Users wanting a simple system for recurring tasks • Fans of Pomodoro and Atomic Habits (habit stacking, time blocking) • Professionals and students boosting productivity and focus • Anyone starting good habits—fitness, mental health, cleaning, learning, etc. What makes FlowStack different? • Flexible task timer. Like Pomodoro, but customizable and clear • Stack tasks in sequence. Avoid distractions, build flow by doing tasks after eachother (habit stacking) • Build habits with daily routines (morning routine, workout, study, business tasks) • ADHD-friendly focus and clean time blocking, no clutter • Great for deep work, project planning, personal growth • Tasks, focus timers, routines all in one simple app Core features: • Stack tasks with individual timers to stay focused on one task at a time (Live Activities and Dynamic Island shows the current task name and time left) • Flexibly time block your schedule for focused productivity. Each task has an estimated duration, easily extendable in case you need more time for a task • Unlimited tasks & templates for recurring tasks (2 template/routine limit for free users, unlimited one-off tasks for free users) • Track daily & weekly stats for motivation • Lightweight, minimalist. No accounts, no ads, generous free version available FlowStack is your ADHD-friendly productivity tool to block distractions, maintain momentum, and stay organized. Whether you're tackling homework, working remotely, or aiming for a structured day, FlowStack turns your to-do list into action. Boost time management Stay productive with a built-in flexible Pomodoro timer Get motivated with simple progress tracking Apple terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Focalist4 screens
FlowStack4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Focalist at free against FlowStack's freemium. FlowStack's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks) and ratings volume (8 vs 2). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. Focalist sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month and FlowStack sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Focalist against 4.9 for FlowStack. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 8 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Focalist ships an update every 3 weeks, FlowStack every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Focalist versus FlowStack: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocalistFlowStack
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.9 (8 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings28 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB115 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDavid RickardNero studios

Customer experience

Focalist

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

FlowStack

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Focalist

Subscriptions2
  • Focalist Premium (Monthly)$1.491 Month
  • Focalist Premium (Annual)$12.001 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$46.00
3 purchases

FlowStack

Subscriptions2
  • Premium access monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Premium access yearly3 Days trial$22.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is Focalist free?
Focalist is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FlowStack free?
FlowStack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Focalist or FlowStack?
Focalist is rated higher. Focalist averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while FlowStack averages 4.9 from 8 ratings.
Do Focalist or FlowStack have ads?
Neither Focalist nor FlowStack shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Focalist or FlowStack?
Focalist ships an update every 3 weeks, and FlowStack every 5 days. Most recently, Focalist was updated on September 24, 2026 and FlowStack on September 8, 2026.

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