Comparison

GradeGrind vs Focustown

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

Head to head
About

GradeGrind

This app helps students improve focus and grades by scheduling distraction-free sessions, tracking progress, and setting weekly goals. It also manages deadlines, parses course syllabi with AI, and calculates GPA.

Highlights
  • Scheduled focus sessions with app blocking
  • Discipline score and streak tracking
  • Weekly commitment and progress goals
  • Deadline and workload management
  • AI course syllabus parsing
  • GPA calculation and target tracking
Features
Read full description

Key Features: Planned Focus & App Blocking - Schedule distraction-free focus sessions that block you from opening other apps. Lock into your work, choose what assignment you’re tackling, and log your actual progress when you finish. Discipline Score & Streaks - Get a daily score for how well you stuck to your commitments. Keep streaks alive to prove consistency. Weekly Commitments - Every Sunday, set your focus hours and assignment progress goals. GradeGrind holds you accountable to the plan. Discipline History Calendar - End each day with a quick 1-tap check-in. See your pattern of discipline build across the weeks. Deadlines & Workload - All your assessments in one place. Update progress and track workload by week so nothing sneaks up on you. Schedule - View your classes, events, and planned focus sessions together in one clean calendar. AI Course Parsing - GradeGrind is quick to set up as AI will parse your syllabus. GPA Tracking - GradeGrind calculates your GPA and shows what you need on upcoming assessments to hit your target grade. If you have any questions or features you would like to see, please email us at gradegrindapp@gmail.com *All features above require a paid subscription. TERMS: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Focustown

This app provides a virtual study environment with others worldwide. Choose from cozy settings, join real-time focus sessions, and earn rewards to customize your experience. It's designed to help users stay motivated and productive during study or work.

Highlights
  • Cozy study environments
  • Study with real people globally
  • Earn coins and customize character
  • Study sessions with friends
  • Built-in focus timer
Features
Read full description

Study with people from all over the world in a cozy low poly environment. Focustown helps you achieve your dreams one focus session at a time. Pick your vibe — a cozy cafe or a quiet library — and join a server where you can sit next to real people studying in real time. Whether you're a student grinding for exams or a working professional tackling your next big project, you're never alone on your journey. FEATURES: • Cozy Study Environments – Choose between beautifully designed cafes and libraries to set the perfect study mood. • Study With Real People – Join servers and focus alongside others from around the world in real time. • Earn Coins & Customize – Complete focus sessions to earn coins and decorate your character with fun accessories. • Study With Friends – Start sessions with your real friends and hold each other accountable. • Focus Timer – A built-in study timer to keep you on track and make every session count. Focustown was built to inspire millions of students and working professionals — reminding them that they're not alone in their journey to make a dent in this universe. Your dreams are worth every focus session. Start yours today. Similar apps include: Forest, Focus Tree, Flora, or Study Bunny Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

GradeGrind4 screens
Focustown4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Focustown at free with in-app purchases against GradeGrind's subscription. Focustown also leads on ratings volume (9.6K vs 26) and update cadence (daily vs every 5 days). GradeGrind's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, 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. GradeGrind sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.29 per month and Focustown sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for GradeGrind against 4.8 for Focustown. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Focustown has 9.6K ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GradeGrind ships an update every 5 days, Focustown daily. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
GradeGrind versus Focustown: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGradeGrindFocustown
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (26 ratings) — better4.8 (9.6K ratings)
Positive reviews—77.3% of reviews
Number of ratings269.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysDaily — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank—#173 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB1.1 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHealthyAI LLCSecond Round Inc.

Customer experience

GradeGrind

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Focustown

All ratings9,567 ratings
Positive95.3%
Neutral2.5%
Negative2.2%
Written reviews1,056 reviews
Positive77.3%
Neutral9.5%
Negative13.3%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

GradeGrind

Subscriptions5
  • Unlimited14 Days trial$2.291 Month
  • Unlimited14 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Unlimited14 Days trial$7.996 Months
Show 2 more
  • Unlimited14 Days trial$9.951 Year
  • Unlimited14 Days trial$9.991 Year
10 purchases

Focustown

Subscriptions4
  • Foucstown Pro Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Foucstown Pro Yearly$19.991 Year
  • Foucstown Pro Yearly$39.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Foucstown Pro Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time6
  • Starter Pack$0.99
  • Pocketful Golden Beans$0.99
  • Purchase Coffee Boost$0.99
Show 3 more
  • Sack of Golden Beans$2.99
  • Bucket of Golden Beans$9.99
  • Bucket of Golden Beans$19.99

Questions

Is GradeGrind free?
GradeGrind is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Focustown free?
Focustown is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, GradeGrind or Focustown?
GradeGrind is rated higher. GradeGrind averages 4.8 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while Focustown averages 4.8 from 9.6K ratings.
Do GradeGrind or Focustown have ads?
Focustown shows ads; GradeGrind does not.
Which is updated more often, GradeGrind or Focustown?
GradeGrind ships an update every 5 days, and Focustown daily. Most recently, GradeGrind was updated on October 30, 2026 and Focustown on November 11, 2026.

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