Comparison

Focus Buddy, ADHD Focus Timer vs Focusbuddy

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

Head to head
About

Focus Buddy, ADHD Focus Timer

This app pairs you with a shy artist companion to help you overcome procrastination and distraction. Work together to transform an empty studio into a thriving creative space, making progress visible and rewarding.

Highlights
  • Artist companion for focus sessions
  • Transforming a virtual studio
  • Earning rewards for focus
  • Building motivation through connection
  • Visual progress tracking
Features
Read full description

**Stop Fighting Your Brain. Start Building With Your Buddy.** Tired of productivity apps that make you feel guilty when you struggle to focus? You're not broken, and you don't need another timer that judges your every move. You need a companion who understands that some days are harder than others, and that real progress comes from showing up consistently - not perfectly. Focus Buddy transforms your daily struggles with procrastination and distraction into a meaningful partnership. Instead of battling your ADHD brain or fighting against your natural rhythms, you'll work alongside a shy artist companion who faces the same challenges you do. Together, you'll build something beautiful while getting things done. **HERE'S HOW WE HELP YOU SUCCEED:** **1. We Replace Shame With Understanding** Your artist buddy has just moved into a new creative space but - just like you - has misplaced all their supplies and feels overwhelmed by the empty room. There's no judgment here, only the shared experience of starting over and figuring things out together. Every focus session helps both of you grow stronger. **2. We Make Progress Visible And Rewarding** Watch your companion's empty studio transform into a thriving creative sanctuary as you complete focus sessions. Earn pencils to unlock furniture, art supplies, and decorations. See immediate, beautiful results that prove your effort matters, even when your main tasks feel overwhelming or abstract. **3. We Build Genuine Motivation Through Connection** This isn't just gamification - it's a real relationship. Your buddy reacts to your presence, grows more confident through your support, and creates a space you'll both love spending time in. When focus feels impossible, you're not just working for yourself - you're helping someone who believes in you. **THE EXPERIENCE:** - Start by discovering an empty studio with mysterious covered easels - Help your companion find their misplaced art supplies through focus sessions - Transform the space together with beautiful decorations - Watch your buddy grow from shy to confident - Build a creative sanctuary you'll both love **COMING SOON:** - Enhanced buddy animations and emotional interactions - Gallery system to collect and share your companion's artwork - Commission specific pieces and collaborate on masterpieces **PERFECT FOR:** - Students who need study motivation without punishment - Professionals managing ADHD while building healthy work habits - Anyone tired of productivity apps that create more guilt - Creative minds who want focus tools that honor their artistic nature - People seeking genuine connection in their productivity journey **WHY FOCUS BUDDY WORKS:** Traditional productivity apps treat focus like a battle you need to win. Focus Buddy treats it like a partnership you need to nurture. Your companion's growth mirrors your own journey—every small effort creates something beautiful, and every session brings you both closer to your potential. The empty studio isn't failure. It's possibility. And you're not facing it alone. --- **SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED:** Focus Buddy requires a yearly subscription to access all features described above, including the companion experience, studio transformation, earning pencils, unlocking furniture and decorations, and all buddy interactions. **New users receive a 3-day free trial with full access to all features.** After the trial period, a yearly subscription is required to continue using the app. You can cancel anytime during the trial period without being charged. Help & Support: https://www.yourfocusbuddy.com/help Privacy Policy: https://www.yourfocusbuddy.com/legal/privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://www.yourfocusbuddy.com/legal/terms Support: help@yourfocusbuddy.com

About

Focusbuddy

Features
Read full description

Focusbuddy is a to-do app that actually understands how ADHD brains work. No guilt. No streak panic. No wall of overdue tasks screaming at you. Just small, doable quests, a warm companion cheering you on, and a garden that grows every time you show up for yourself. START IS THE HARDEST PART, SO WE MADE IT TINY • Turn any task into a quest, and break scary ones into small steps at the spiciness level you choose • 5-Minute Sprints: just start. You're allowed to stop after five minutes. (You often won't.) • Focus timer with Live Activities: your countdown lives in the Dynamic Island, so you can leave the app without losing your session A COMPANION, NOT A DRILL SERGEANT • A friendly sprout companion celebrates your wins, remembers your progress, and never judges a bad day • The companion is an AI that runs on your device by default. It's not a human, and it will gently remind you of that • Body-doubling mode: work alongside your companion when tasks feel too lonely to face GENTLE STREAKS THAT FORGIVE • Your Streak Garden grows with your effort, and a rough day never burns it to the ground • Transition rituals between tasks: a 2-minute breather with breathing, body scan, or a glass of water • Daily energy check-in adjusts what the app asks of you: low-energy days get lighter quests MADE FOR YOUR BRAIN, RESPECTFUL OF YOUR DATA • No account, no ads, no tracking across apps. Your quests, chats, Safety Plan and health data never go to analytics. • Anonymous usage analytics help us improve the app: which screens you open, what you tap, and screen recordings with your typing hidden. Turn it off anytime in Settings. • Optional iCloud sync to your own private iCloud. We can't read your iCloud data. • Optional Apple Health integration (read-only) to celebrate movement and protect your streak when you're unwell • Voice brain dump with on-device transcription: your voice never leaves your phone • A Safety Plan with crisis resources is always one tap away A NOTE FROM US Focusbuddy is a wellness tool, not medical care. It doesn't diagnose or treat ADHD or any condition. Please talk to your clinician about treatment. And your companion, as lovely as it is, is AI, not a person. Small wins matter. Come plant one. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Focus Buddy, ADHD Focus Timer3 screens
Focusbuddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Focus Buddy, ADHD Focus Timer at every 6 weeks against Focusbuddy's every 3 months. Focus Buddy, ADHD Focus Timer also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.0). On price, 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. Focus Buddy, ADHD Focus Timer sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Focusbuddy sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Focus Buddy, ADHD Focus Timer ships an update every 6 weeks, Focusbuddy every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Focus Buddy, ADHD Focus Timer versus Focusbuddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocus Buddy, ADHD Focus TimerFocusbuddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (9 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings9 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.4 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size182 MB50 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperMaxim RusakovicAlexander Nielsen

In-app purchases

11 purchases

Focus Buddy, ADHD Focus Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Focus Buddy$9.991 Month
  • Premium Focus Buddy Yearly7 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time9
  • Windows - Beginner - Glitter Frame$0.29
  • Posters - Beginner - Classic Movies$0.29
  • Carpets - Beginner - Cloud Soft$0.49
Show 6 more
  • Hobby - Beginner - Pastel Plants$0.49
  • Desks - Beginner- Crystal Workspace$0.49
  • Corner - Beginner - Glitter Plant$0.49
  • Posters- Beginner- Pastel Superhero$0.49
  • Boards - Beginner - Pastel Tasks$0.49
  • Windows - Beginner - Rainbow Blinds$0.49
2 purchases

Focusbuddy

Subscriptions1
  • Focusbuddy Plus$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Focusbuddy Lifetime$24.99

Questions

Is Focus Buddy, ADHD Focus Timer free?
Focus Buddy, ADHD Focus Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Focusbuddy free?
Focusbuddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Focus Buddy, ADHD Focus Timer or Focusbuddy have ads?
Neither Focus Buddy, ADHD Focus Timer nor Focusbuddy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Focus Buddy, ADHD Focus Timer or Focusbuddy?
Focus Buddy, ADHD Focus Timer ships an update every 6 weeks, and Focusbuddy every 3 months. Most recently, Focus Buddy, ADHD Focus Timer was updated on October 24, 2026 and Focusbuddy on October 22, 2026.

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