Comparison

Idle vs Loop

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

Head to head
About

Idle

Features
Read full description

Idle is a chat app built around widgets that lets your group chat do more than just talk. Because every group is different, so is every chat on Idle. Your rec softball team can add a calendar widget and a roster tracker. Your small business might need a shared Todo list widget or a place to share links. Your book club can create a poll or write in a shared notepad. And your neighborhood group can make announcements and add events to the board. In Idle, you never get features you didn’t ask for and you’re never missing the ones you need. WIDGES FOR ANY GROUP Every group has unique needs so only add the widgets that you need [Calendar] - Meetups, games, and sessions everyone can see at a glance [Events]- Post events with details and RSVPs so nothing slips through [Signup Sheets] - Keep tabs on attendance, scores, signups, or progress [Notepad]- Shared notes, lists, and agendas the whole group can edit [Paid Memberships] - Collect dues, fees, or contributions right inside the group [Polls] - Vote on the next book, the next date, the next anything [Announcements] - Pin the things that matter so they don't get buried New widgets are added regularly, so there's always more to choose from. CREATE YOUR OWN Need something that’s not off the shelf? Create your own custom one made just for your group. If your group has a need, your chat can meet it. SET THE VIBE Make the space feel like your group with custom wallpapers, your own emojis, and name tags. Idle Chat should feel like being in a friends’ living room, not the JPMorgan office. Terms: https://idlechat.app/terms Privacy: https://idlechat.app/privacy

About

Loop

This app provides a distraction-free timer to help users achieve deep focus and improve productivity. It offers customizable session lengths, background repetition, and subtle haptic feedback for uninterrupted work sessions.

Highlights
  • Minimalist distraction-free UI
  • Background session repetition
  • Customizable focus and break durations
  • Works with screen off
  • Precise haptic notifications
  • No accounts or ads
Read full description

Loop is a deep-focus timer designed for people who care about flow, craft, and discipline. A minimal interface, subtle haptics, and customizable session lengths help you get into focused work quickly—without the noise, badges, or gamification of typical productivity apps. Whether you're working through a long sprint, training attention, studying, writing, meditating, or simply trying to stay off your phone, Loop gives you a clean, intentional space to focus. Why Loop is different Minimal, elegant design — A distraction-free UI crafted for clarity and calm. Loop mode (background repetition) — Sessions automatically repeat so you can stay in flow without interruptions. Customizable timing — Set your focus, break, and long-break durations to match your rhythm. Works with screen off — Save battery and stay locked-in while the timer continues in the background. Precise haptics — Gentle taps notify you without breaking your concentration. No accounts, no ads, no clutter — Designed for people who want focus, not another feed. Perfect for Deep work Studying Writing & coding Meditation / breathwork timing Pomodoro-style sessions Creative sessions Anyone building discipline or reducing screen time Loop helps you create space for your best work. No friction. No dopamine traps. Just focus. Privacy & Respect Loop collects zero data. Your focus belongs to you.

Screenshots

Idle4 screens
Loop3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Idle at Free against Loop's $2.99. Idle also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months). Loop's advantage is iOS requirement (18.4 vs 26.0). On 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

Idle is free to download; Loop costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Idle ships an update every 6 days, Loop every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Idle versus Loop: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIdleLoop
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.018.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size112 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSynthetic Solutions, Inc.hsla0001

In-app purchases

None

Idle

No in-app purchases

None

Loop

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Idle free?
Idle is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Loop free?
Loop costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Idle or Loop have ads?
Neither Idle nor Loop shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Idle or Loop?
Idle ships an update every 6 days, and Loop every 2 months. Most recently, Idle was updated on September 28, 2026 and Loop on October 6, 2026.

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