Comparison

Hardcore Focus vs Pomodoro Timer

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

Head to head
About

Hardcore Focus

This app encourages focused work by having users commit to a single, meaningful task for a two-hour period. It blocks distractions and tracks your focus sessions, helping you accomplish real work instead of just managing tasks.

Highlights
  • Single daily task focus
  • 2-hour deep work timer
  • Distracting app blocking
  • Distraction tracking
  • Progress logging
  • Streaks and achievements
  • Widgets and Live Activities
Features
Read full description

Less phone. More life. Hardcore Focus is an iPhone app blocker with Screen Time. Block the apps that steal your attention, do real deep work, and fill the time you get back with habits that stick. No to-do lists. No calendar. Three things: Shield, Focus, Habits. BLOCK THE NOISE Shield blocks your most distracting apps with Screen Time — on a schedule, during a focus session, or always on. You choose how hard it is to get back in: • No Bypass — locked is locked • 15-Minute Bypass — one short, deliberate exception DO DEEP WORK The Focus tab is a single button. Tap it and work for as long as you want — no countdown, just an open timer that runs until you’re done. Block distracting apps for the session, keep the screen awake, and watch your daily focus goal fill up. Pause and resume when you need to. BUILD HABITS THAT STICK Track daily habits and routines by time of day. Check them off, count reps, or run a timed habit. Some habits track themselves — link them to Apple Health or to time spent in apps you actually want to use. Keep the streak alive. ALSO • Apple Watch — start sessions and complete habits from your wrist • Siri & Shortcuts — “Start a focus session,” “Mark off my habit” • Widgets, Live Activities & Dynamic Island • Complete habits from the Lock Screen, Control Center, or a widget • On-device AI insights into your focus patterns • Apple Music focus playlists, inside the session • iCloud sync across iPhone, iPad & Apple Watch PRIVATE BY DESIGN Zero data collection. Insights run on-device with Apple Intelligence — your data never leaves your phone, and anything you sync stays in your own iCloud. SUBSCRIPTION Hardcore Focus requires a subscription. Start with a 7-day free trial, then pick Weekly (3.99), Monthly (8.99), or Annual ($49.99 — best value). Payment is charged to your Apple Account. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel anytime in Settings. Terms: https://www.hardcorefocus.com/terms Privacy: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdfla/

About

Pomodoro Timer

Features
Read full description

FocusDay is a pomodoro focus timer based on the Pomodoro technique that's designed to help you stay focused, finish tasks, and understand how you spend your time. It keeps things simple so you can concentrate without interruptions. Focus with intention using a distraction-free tomato focus timer. Work in clear, timed sessions with a study timer that keeps you on track without clutter. Start focus sessions directly from your todos. Create tasks, then launch a session from any todo so your focus time always has context. A simple way to connect planning and execution. Track your progress over time. Every session is saved automatically so you can review past sessions, see patterns, and stay consistent. A clean time tracker and work tracker without unnecessary charts. Designed for both work and study. FocusDay works as a Pomodoro timer, study tracker, focus keeper, tomato timer, and study timer for students and professionals alike. Key features Pomodoro timer with todo integration Distraction-free focus timer Start sessions directly from tasks Session history and progress tracking Simple study tracker and work tracker FocusDay helps you focus on what matters and build better habits over time. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Hardcore Focus1 screens
Pomodoro Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Pomodoro Timer at every 5 days against Hardcore Focus's every 2 months. Hardcore Focus's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Hardcore Focus sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Pomodoro Timer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hardcore Focus ships an update every 2 months, Pomodoro Timer every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Hardcore Focus versus Pomodoro Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHardcore FocusPomodoro Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (11 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.026.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEric KuhnJia Ge

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Hardcore Focus

Subscriptions3
  • Hardcore Focus Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Hardcore Focus Pro Monthly$8.991 Month
  • Hardcore Focus Pro Annual$49.991 Year
2 purchases

Pomodoro Timer

Subscriptions1
  • Pro Monthly$3.991 Month
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$9.99

Questions

Is Hardcore Focus free?
Hardcore Focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pomodoro Timer free?
Pomodoro Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Hardcore Focus or Pomodoro Timer have ads?
Neither Hardcore Focus nor Pomodoro Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hardcore Focus or Pomodoro Timer?
Hardcore Focus ships an update every 2 months, and Pomodoro Timer every 5 days. Most recently, Hardcore Focus was updated on September 19, 2026 and Pomodoro Timer on September 17, 2026.

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