Comparison

Pomodoro Timer vs Focus/Rest

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

Head to head
About

Pomodoro Timer

This app helps you regain control of your focus by blocking distracting applications. It uses a system-based approach rather than relying on willpower, with customizable timers and a digital clock display to aid concentration.

Highlights
  • App blocking for deep focus
  • Customizable Pomodoro timer
  • Landscape digital clock display
  • Stopwatch for time tracking
  • Multiple clock mood designs
  • Ad-free experience
Features
Read full description

You decided to focus—and somehow ended up on social media or watching videos again. Sound familiar? It's not because you lack willpower. Today's apps, social media above all, are designed to make you open them without thinking. Instead of letting your time be spent on autopilot, Deskmate helps you choose for yourself how to spend it. Deskmate doesn't rely on willpower. Just start the timer— that's your "focus switch." Open only the apps you want to focus on, and let Deep Focus block the rest. Protect your focus time with a system, not self-restraint. Deskmate is an app that quietly helps you choose how you spend your time. — KEY FEATURES — ■ Landscape Digital Clock Place it on your desk for a beautiful time display—your cue to get into focus mode. ■ Pomodoro Timer Automatically repeats a "25 minutes of focus + 5 minutes of break" cycle. Work and break lengths are fully customizable. ■ Stopwatch Simply track your study and work time. ■ Deep Focus Blocks the apps you choose, like social media and video apps, while you focus. Protects your focus with a system, not willpower. ■ Moods (clock designs) Clock designs like "Rainy Day" and "Midnight City" that change the atmosphere of your desk. No ads, in any feature. Deskmate never shows anything that gets in the way of your focus. — PERFECT FOR — • People who mean to focus but end up scrolling social media • Anyone who wants to dive deep into study or work • People working or studying from home who struggle to stay focused • Anyone looking for a quiet, ad-free app — CHANGE THE MOOD OF YOUR DESK — Deskmate is designed for landscape mode. No flashy decorations. No annoying ads. A simple design that blends into your desk. Before you know it, it's a permanent fixture there. Your desk companion. — STOP "MINDLESS SCROLLING" WITH A SYSTEM — "I keep opening Instagram without thinking." "Suddenly I'm watching YouTube." That's where Deep Focus comes in. While you focus, the apps you try to open simply won't launch. No need to fight temptation with willpower. Deskmate keeps you from getting sidetracked—so you don't have to. Your focus time stays yours. — PLANS — ■ Free • All clock, Pomodoro timer, and stopwatch features • Ambient sounds • "Simple Digital" mood • Deep Focus (up to 30 minutes per day) ■ LIGHT • All moods • Future content, including new moods • Deep Focus (up to 30 minutes per day) ■ PRO • Everything in LIGHT • Unlimited Deep Focus LIGHT and PRO are each available as a monthly or yearly subscription. Prices vary by country and region, so please check the App Store for details. New subscribers can try it free for 7 days. — GET STARTED — The clock, timer, and stopwatch are free to use, always. You can also try Deep Focus free for up to 30 minutes a day. A quiet companion for your desk—and your focus. You decide how to spend your time. — ABOUT SUBSCRIPTIONS — • After the 7-day free trial, the price of your selected plan will be charged to your Apple Account automatically. • Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. • You can manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use: https://sites.google.com/view/deskmate-termsofuse-en Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/deskmate-privacypolicy-en

About

Focus/Rest

Features
Read full description

Focus/Rest is a premium Pomodoro timer designed to help you stay productive with a stunning, physics-driven interface. SET YOUR RHYTHM Spin the control wheel to dial in your focus and rest durations. The responsive wheel features real inertia — flick it and watch it coast to your perfect time. Switch between Focus and Rest modes with a single tap on the glass lens. STAY IN THE ZONE Once your timer starts, a breathing glass lens pulses gently as time counts down. When the period ends, the next one begins automatically — Focus and Rest cycle endlessly until you decide to stop. No interruptions, no tapping "next." DYNAMIC ISLAND & LIVE ACTIVITY Your timer lives in the Dynamic Island and Lock Screen. The countdown continues seamlessly even when you leave the app, automatically cycling through Focus and Rest periods. Tap controls right from the Dynamic Island — play, pause, stop, or switch modes without opening the app. FEEL THE TRANSITION Custom haptic patterns mark each transition: an energising pulse when Focus begins, a calming wave when Rest starts. Your body learns the rhythm before your eyes even see the screen. CRAFTED DETAILS • Glass morphism lens with real-time parallax driven by device motion • Breathing glow animation that follows your timer • Rotatable control wheel with physics-based inertia • Color-coded modes: purple for Focus, green for Rest • Multiple alert sounds with per-mode customization • Works in portrait and landscape MINIMAL & FOCUSED No accounts. No subscriptions. No ads. No tracking. Just a timer that respects your time as much as you do.

Screenshots

Pomodoro Timer4 screens
Focus/Rest4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Pomodoro Timer at 15.1 against Focus/Rest's 17.6. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Pomodoro Timer sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Focus/Rest sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pomodoro Timer ships an update every 9 days, Focus/Rest every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Pomodoro Timer versus Focus/Rest: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPomodoro TimerFocus/Rest
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size254 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerkosuke nagadoriDavyd Habshydze

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Pomodoro Timer

Subscriptions5
  • LIGHT Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • PRO Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • LIGHT Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • PRO Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • PRO Yearly (Founder)1 Year trial$49.991 Year
1 purchases

Focus/Rest

One-time1
  • Pro Unlock$0.99

Questions

Is Pomodoro Timer free?
Pomodoro Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Focus/Rest free?
Focus/Rest is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Pomodoro Timer or Focus/Rest have ads?
Neither Pomodoro Timer nor Focus/Rest shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pomodoro Timer or Focus/Rest?
Pomodoro Timer ships an update every 9 days, and Focus/Rest every 5 days. Most recently, Pomodoro Timer was updated on November 12, 2026 and Focus/Rest on November 5, 2026.

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