Comparison

Hardcore Focus vs Gaze

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

Hardcore Focus blocks distracting apps with Screen Time, then runs a focus session toward a daily goal. Habits next to it. No account. No VPN. Three things: Focus, Habits, and Shield. No to-do list. No calendar. SHIELD — BLOCK THE NOISE Block the apps that steal your day with Apple’s native Screen Time API. 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 FOCUS — DO DEEP WORK One button. Tap it and work until you’re done — no countdown, no 25-minute cycle. Keep the screen awake. Optional Apple Music focus playlist. Watch your daily focus goal fill up on the ring. Pause when life happens. Live Activity and Dynamic Island keep the timer visible. HABITS — FILL THE TIME YOU GET BACK Stack habits into routines by time of day. Check them off, count reps, or run a timed habit. Workouts, walks, and mindful minutes can auto-complete from Apple Health. Keep the streak on the habits that matter. ALSO • Apple Watch — start sessions and complete habits from your wrist • Siri & Shortcuts • Widgets, Live Activities & Dynamic Island • On-device insights into your focus patterns (on your phone) • Apple Music focus playlists inside the session • iCloud sync across iPhone, iPad & Apple Watch — no Hardcore Focus account PRIVATE BY DESIGN Zero data collection. Anything you sync stays in your own iCloud. WHO IT’S FOR People who already know which apps steal the day and keep opening them anyway. Block, focus, show up for the habits. WHO IT’S NOT FOR SUBSCRIPTION Hardcore Focus requires a subscription. Annual includes a 7-day free trial. Then Weekly ($3.99), Monthly ($8.99), or Annual ($49.99). 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 → Subscriptions. Terms: https://www.hardcorefocus.com/terms Privacy: https://www.hardcorefocus.com/privacy Support: https://www.hardcorefocus.com

About

Gaze

Read full description

Delete those cute little Pomodoro timers. They politely remind you. We execute you. Gaze is not a productivity app - it's a digital prison cell. The moment you hit Start, the countdown begins. Your only job on this device is absolute focus. Switch apps, reply to a text, even swipe down for notifications - instant FAIL. No exceptions. No excuses. No second chances. [CORE TORTURE & DARK AESTHETICS] Absolute Stare: Pure minimalist void-black design. Screen stays awake forever, becoming the coldest cyber-warden on your desk. Brutal Execution: Leave the app and a massive blood-red FAILED stamp slams the screen + heavy haptic blast. A real physical slap for your weakness. Deep Space Brainwash (Pro): Not birds or rain. This is a crushing, mechanical spaceship drone that drowns reality and welds your brain to the desk. Desk Monitor Mode: Native iPad full-screen optimized. Turn your idle tablet into an intimidating cyberpunk surveillance toy. Built for: Chronic procrastinators, exam warriors, ADHD minds, and dark aesthetic addicts. Pricing: Zero subscription BS. One-time purchase. Lifetime unlock of all premium dark wardens and intense isolation tracks. Think your focus is unbreakable? Prove it.

Screenshots

Hardcore Focus1 screens
Gaze3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Gaze at 13.0 against Hardcore Focus's 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. Hardcore Focus sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Gaze sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Hardcore Focus versus Gaze: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHardcore FocusGaze
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (12 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS26.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEric Kuhn祥孟 李

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Hardcore Focus

Subscriptions3
  • Hardcore Focus Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Hardcore Focus Pro Monthly$8.991 Month
  • Hardcore Focus Pro Annual7 Days trial$49.991 Year
1 purchases

Gaze

One-time1
  • PRO Lifetime Unlock$3.99

Questions

Is Hardcore Focus free?
Hardcore Focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Gaze free?
Gaze is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Hardcore Focus or Gaze have ads?
Neither Hardcore Focus nor Gaze shows ads.

Other comparisons