Comparison

Kaizen vs Cadence Focus

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

Head to head
About

Kaizen

This app helps you achieve daily growth through task management, habit building, and focus modes. It guides you to identify distractions and build momentum with visual progress tracking.

Highlights
  • Smart task management
  • Morning ritual builder
  • Focus mode to identify distractions
  • Streak tracking for motivation
  • Visual progress analytics
  • Custom habit design
Features
Read full description

Welcome to Kaizen – your personal companion for mastering productivity and efficiency. Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen (改善) or "continuous improvement," our app helps you achieve 1% growth every single day. Tame your "inner monkey"—that primal urge for distraction—and transform your focus. Whether you're building new habits or managing complex projects, Kaizen provides the structure you need to succeed. Master Your Day with 4 Powerful Modes: 1. Smart Task Manager: Simplify your life. Create, edit, and organize work and personal tasks in one intuitive interface. Stay on top of your to-do list anywhere, anytime. 2. Morning Ritual Builder: Own your morning, own your day. Design custom habits and daily routines that energize your mind. Get smart reminders to ensure you never miss a beat. 3. The Anti-List (Focus Mode): Stop the drain. Identify time-wasting habits and energy-killers. By tracking what not to do, you clear the path for deep work and vital tasks. 4. Streaks & Visual Progress: Fuel your motivation. Track your daily streaks to build unstoppable momentum and visualize your journey with detailed analytics. Watch your progress grow as you turn small actions into lifelong results. Boost productivity, structure your routine, and focus on what truly matters. Join thousands of users on the path to efficiency. Download Kaizen today and start your journey of continuous improvement.

About

Cadence Focus

Features
Read full description

Cadence Focus — Not another Pomodoro app. Your brain doesn't work like everyone else's. Answer 4 quick questions, get a focus method matched to how you actually work, and an AI Coach that learns from every session. 6 FOCUS METHODS • Pomodoro 25/5 (free), Deep 50/10, Ultradian 90/20, Flowtime, Custom, Animedoro 50/20 • 5-minute starter tip when getting started feels impossible ANIMATED TIMER THEMES Pick how your timer looks: the signature progress ring or a growing plant (both free), or Pro themes — hourglass, candle, water, rocket, mountain, and an evolving pixel pet that grows the more you focus. FITNESS MODE Interval workouts with work and rest rounds. Tabata free; HIIT, Stretch and fully custom intervals with Pro. Clear on-screen WORK/REST flips, plus alarms that still fire when your phone is locked. WIND DOWN — NIGHT MODE • Rain scene free; Pro sleep and breathing scenes with curated soundscapes • Guided 4-7-8 breathing; durations up to infinite AI COACH Weekly insights from your session data, smart method re-evaluation, best focus hours, distraction patterns, and daily goal tips. SOUND MIXER + SPOTIFY (Pro) 12 built-in sounds, online library, mix up to 5 sounds, save presets. Spotify liked songs and playlists during focus. CALENDAR AND SCHEDULING Plan blocks for today or tomorrow, local reminders, sync to Calendar, import events as tasks. APP BLOCKER Block distracting apps during focus with Screen Time integration and custom shield. STUDY ROOMS Join with a 6-character code, live presence, chat, and shared focus energy. GROWTH TREE & YOUR ISLAND Plant a tree each session — it grows when you finish, wilts if you quit. Move the trees you earn onto your own isometric island, unlock new zones from Meadow to Summit at session milestones, and collect decorations as rewards. SMART SESSIONS Distraction tracking, +5 min extension, session journal, categories, daily goals, streaks, weekly score, Pro streak freezes. WATCH, WIDGET AND LIVE ACTIVITIES Apple Watch app, Dynamic Island, lock screen, home widget. LEADERBOARDS AND LEVELS Per-method global boards, Starter to Legend progression, achievement badges. STATS AND TASKS Heatmap, completion rates, CSV export. Link tasks to sessions. Pro: unlimited tasks. CADENCE AI PRO — 7-DAY FREE TRIAL All methods, AI Coach, full stats, calendar sync, app blocker, Spotify, unlimited sounds and tasks, 2 streak freezes per month. 16 LANGUAGES Light/dark theme. Pro features are clearly marked throughout the app. Continue without an account — guest sessions sync in the cloud and merge automatically when you sign up or sign in. Optional account for leaderboard, study rooms, and Spotify. Sign in with email, Apple, or GitHub. ALSO ON MAC Cadence Focus runs on Apple silicon Macs too. Your timer, ambient sounds, coach and stats sync through your account, and Cadence Pro works on every device. Pair the free Cadence companion to pause distracting sites in your browser while you focus. Learn more at https://getcadenceai.app Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://getcadenceai.app/privacy Download Cadence Focus. Find the rhythm that fits your brain.

Screenshots

Kaizen4 screens
Cadence Focus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Kaizen at none against Cadence Focus's shown. Kaizen also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Cadence Focus's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 8 months). On price, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Kaizen sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Cadence Focus sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kaizen ships an update every 8 months, Cadence Focus every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Kaizen versus Cadence Focus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKaizenCadence Focus
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMykola ChebotarovRaul Alex Ratiu

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Kaizen

One-time1
  • Buy me a cup of coffee$1.99
3 purchases

Cadence Focus

Subscriptions2
  • Cadence Pro Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Cadence Pro Yearly7 Days trial$24.901 Year
One-time1
  • Cadence Pro Lifetime$79.99

Questions

Is Kaizen free?
Kaizen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cadence Focus free?
Cadence Focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Kaizen or Cadence Focus have ads?
Cadence Focus shows ads; Kaizen does not.
Which is updated more often, Kaizen or Cadence Focus?
Kaizen ships an update every 8 months, and Cadence Focus every 3 days. Most recently, Kaizen was updated on October 30, 2026 and Cadence Focus on November 5, 2026.

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