Comparison

GentleFocus vs Effortless Focus

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

Head to head
About

GentleFocus

Features
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GentleFocus reimagines productivity for ADHD minds and anyone who struggles with traditional focus methods. No more guilt, just gentle support that adapts to you. WHY GENTLEFOCUS IS DIFFERENT β€’ Brain Dump First: Capture tasks instantly without organizing β€’ Flexible Focus Modes: From 5-min sprints to mystery durations β€’ Visual Progress: Color-coded timer that's satisfying to watch β€’ Smart Breaks: Curated activities to recharge without losing momentum β€’ No Judgment: Skip sessions, extend time, or reset without guilt TIMER MODES THAT WORK WITH YOU β€’ Quick Start: Jump into 15-min sessions instantly β€’ Flexible Flow: Adjust duration on the fly (10-45 min) β€’ Pomodoro Classic: Traditional 25/5 intervals β€’ Random Mystery: Surprise durations keep things interesting β€’ Emergency Focus: 5-minute rescue sessions β€’ Energy-Based: Match timer to your current energy β€’ Deadline Mode: Work backwards from due dates DESIGNED FOR ADHD BRAINS β€’ Clean, distraction-free interface β€’ Large, tappable controls β€’ Gentle notifications (never jarring) β€’ Task time tracking without pressure β€’ Visual and audio cues for transitions β€’ Dark mode for sensitive eyes PREMIUM FEATURES β€’ Unlimited timer modes β€’ Advanced analytics and insights β€’ Custom timer durations β€’ Recurring task templates β€’ Export session data Apple Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Built by someone with ADHD, for people with ADHD. Finally, a timer that gets it.

About

Effortless Focus

Features
Read full description

Most focus apps make you watch time. You stare at countdowns. You wait for breaks. You think about finishing. You think about focusing. That’s not focus. Effortless Focus removes the clock. No pressure. No streaks. No forcing. Just you and your work. Open the app. Start when you’re ready. Slip into your work. Finish naturally. Acknowledge yourself. That’s it. You,Your work and your intention. Effortless Focus just removes the friction.

Screenshots

GentleFocus4 screens
Effortless Focus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Effortless Focus at none against GentleFocus's 2. Effortless Focus also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 10 days) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. GentleFocus sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Effortless Focus asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GentleFocus ships an update every 10 days, Effortless Focus every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on May 19, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Β· 3 level
GentleFocus versus Effortless Focus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGentleFocusEffortless Focus
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 4 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo β€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” better
Requires iOS17.613.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size9 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEl ghali khalidSiddharth Rana

In-app purchases

2 purchases

GentleFocus

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly Premium$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • Lifetime access$12.99
None

Effortless Focus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GentleFocus free?
GentleFocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Effortless Focus free?
Effortless Focus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do GentleFocus or Effortless Focus have ads?
Neither GentleFocus nor Effortless Focus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GentleFocus or Effortless Focus?
GentleFocus ships an update every 10 days, and Effortless Focus every 4 days. Most recently, GentleFocus was updated on May 19, 2026 and Effortless Focus on September 9, 2026.

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