Comparison

Deep Focus Timer ∞ vs Reader

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

Head to head
About

Deep Focus Timer ∞

A minimalist, full-screen countdown timer designed to eliminate distractions. Set custom durations, start with one tap, and focus on your task with a clean visual display and customizable alarms. Ideal for studying, work sessions, or any activity requiring focused time.

Highlights
  • One-tap start with custom durations
  • Full-screen visual countdown
  • Screen stays awake during sessions
  • Multiple completion tones
  • Minimal, dark-mode-first interface
Features
Read full description

A clean, full-screen countdown timer for any task. Pick a duration. Tap start. The screen becomes a quiet, full-bleed countdown. When time is up, an alarm plays. That's the whole product. WHO IT'S FOR - Studying for a test - Time-boxing a deep work block - Kitchen timing while you cook - Reading sessions - A short nap or rest - Any other moment that needs a clean countdown without distractions FEATURES - One-tap start with custom durations from 1 minute to several hours - Full-screen visual countdown — your phone shows the timer, nothing else - Screen stays awake during a session, no auto-lock interruptions - Multiple completion tones to pick from - Minimal, dark-mode-first interface designed to disappear once you're focused WHY DEEP FOCUS TIMER - Made by a small studio that uses it every day - No subscription, no accounts, no streak guilt - Doesn't try to be more than a timer Set it. Start it. Get to work.

About

Reader

Features
Read full description

Reader turns the EPUBs you already own into books read aloud, in a voice you choose, entirely on your iPhone. CLASSIC BOOKS, BUILT IN Open the app and start listening. A shelf of classic novels is included free, with cover art made for them, refreshed for the season. No book purchases, no extra downloads, no account to make. YOUR OWN BOOKS TOO Bring any EPUB from Files, Safari, AirDrop, or another app. Standard Ebooks and Project Gutenberg both offer thousands of free, beautifully prepared books, and Reader points you to them. READ ALOUD, IN YOUR VOICE Reader uses Apple's built-in voices, so you can pick the one you actually want to listen to and change it whenever you like. Every word is highlighted as it is spoken, so you can follow along, look up, and find your place again. BUILT FOR LONG LISTENING • Playback continues with the screen locked, with controls on the Lock Screen • Adjust the reading pace from half speed to double • Your place is saved, and a book reopens where you left it • Jump between chapters, or scrub to any point • Choose your typeface and size, including OpenDyslexic WORKS ANYWHERE Reading and speech happen on your device. Once your books and voices are available, no connection is needed to listen, so Reader works on a plane, underground, or off the grid. Your books stay on your iPhone. FREE TO READ Every reading feature is available to everyone. There are no listening limits, no subscription, and no paid feature tier. Reader is supported by banner ads, with an optional one-time purchase to remove them. Reader is built and supported by one person who reads every message. If something is wrong or missing, write to nick@thefreereader.app.

Screenshots

Deep Focus Timer ∞1 screens
Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Deep Focus Timer ∞ at none against Reader's 1. Reader's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Deep Focus Timer ∞ asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Deep Focus Timer ∞ ships an update every 3 months, Reader every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Deep Focus Timer ∞ versus Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDeep Focus Timer ∞Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.6 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer辰巳家有限公司Nick Ueda

In-app purchases

None

Deep Focus Timer ∞

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Reader

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$2.99

Questions

Is Deep Focus Timer ∞ free?
Deep Focus Timer ∞ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Reader free?
Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Deep Focus Timer ∞ or Reader have ads?
Both Deep Focus Timer ∞ and Reader show ads.
Which is updated more often, Deep Focus Timer ∞ or Reader?
Deep Focus Timer ∞ ships an update every 3 months, and Reader every 5 days. Most recently, Deep Focus Timer ∞ was updated on October 10, 2026 and Reader on October 24, 2026.

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