Comparison

time[Box] vs Focus Only

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

Head to head
About

time[Box]

This minimalist timer app helps you focus on tasks with a clean interface and intuitive controls. It offers a satisfying spin control for setting time and smart notifications to keep you on track. Ideal for productivity sprints, meditation, or quick tasks.

Highlights
  • Satisfying spin control for setting timers
  • One-touch start for quick timers
  • Clean and clutter-free interface
  • Smart notifications with haptics and sound
  • Dark mode support
  • Ideal for Pomodoro technique and study sprints
Read full description

timeBox keeps it simple so you can focus on what matters—your work, your next big idea or just your kid's naptime. Why You'll Love This App: • Satisfying Spin Control: Set your timer with a delightfully tactile dial, inspired by classic analog timers. • One-Touch Start: Quickly set a minute or hour timer with intuitive controls. • Clean Design: No clutter—just a sleek interface to help you stay on track. • Smart Notifications: Subtle haptics and a gentle ding let you know when time's up. • Dark Mode: Seamlessly switch between light or dark based on your preference. • Stay Focused: Whether it's a study sprint, workout interval, or a quick break, time[Box] helps you manage your minutes. Sometimes an app only needs to do one thing really well—time[Box] does exactly that. Set your timer, stay focused, and enjoy a beautifully minimal experience. Perfect for: • Pomodoro technique and productivity sprints. • Mindful breaks and meditation. • Quick tasks, workouts, baby or cooking timers. time[Box] your day and see how much more you can get done. Massive feature update coming soon!

About

Focus Only

Features
Read full description

Make time for focused work, without a complicated productivity system. Focus Only gives you a clear countdown, flexible breaks, and a timer you can check without reopening the app. Whether you’re working, studying, or making time for a personal project, choose your session length and start when you’re ready. CHECK YOUR TIMER AT A GLANCE See your remaining time on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island with Live Activities. On supported Always-On displays, your Live Activity stays visible while the screen is dimmed. Keep the app open for a large countdown, with the option to keep your screen awake or dim it while the timer runs. FOCUS AT YOUR OWN PACE • Choose focus sessions from 10 to 60 minutes • Set breaks from 5 to 20 minutes • Pause and resume when plans change • Choose from seven in-app completion sounds, or turn sounds off CONTROL YOUR TIMER WITH SIRI Start a focus session or break, pause, resume, stop, or ask how much time is left. Use the same actions in Shortcuts to include Focus Only in your routines. SEE WHAT YOU COMPLETED Review your completed focus sessions by day. See how many sessions you finished and how much focused time you recorded. MADE FOR IPHONE AND IPAD Use Focus Only in light or dark appearance, with VoiceOver support and timer announcements. The app and its Siri and Shortcuts actions support English and German. Choose a task. Start your timer. Focus.

Screenshots

time[Box]3 screens
Focus Only3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: time[Box] at weekly against Focus Only's every 3 weeks. time[Box] also leads on iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

time[Box] ships an update weekly, Focus Only every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
time[Box] versus Focus Only: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parametertime[Box]Focus Only
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWilliam HobbsTobias Ostner

In-app purchases

None

time[Box]

No in-app purchases

None

Focus Only

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is time[Box] free?
time[Box] is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Focus Only free?
Focus Only is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do time[Box] or Focus Only have ads?
Neither time[Box] nor Focus Only shows ads.
Which is updated more often, time[Box] or Focus Only?
time[Box] ships an update weekly, and Focus Only every 3 weeks. Most recently, time[Box] was updated on October 17, 2026 and Focus Only on October 28, 2026.

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