Control vs Cadence AI Focus
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Control
Engage in private AI conversations with lightweight, open-source language models that run entirely on your device. Enjoy offline functionality and complete data protection without any data collection or sharing. Choose and switch between models to find the best AI assistant for your needs.
- Private AI conversations
- Local LLM processing
- Offline functionality
- Data privacy
- Model selection
- No account required
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Your AI conversations with complete privacy. Control is a free LLM interface that puts you in charge of your AI experience. Chat with lightweight open source language models while keeping your data completely private. These mobile-optimized models offer basic AI assistance with the trade-off of complete privacy and offline functionality - everything runs locally on your device. This is a basic tool. Privacy & Data Protection: All processing happens on your device with no data collection or sharing. Your conversations never leave your phone and no accounts, logins, or cloud storage are required. Works completely offline with zero network dependencies for chat, no tracking or analytics. Your data stays yours and history resets after every session or 24 hours, whichever comes first, ensuring no persistent data storage. Choice: Choose from various open source language models and switch between models instantly to find the perfect AI assistant for your specific needs. Free and open source with no subscriptions or hidden costs.
Cadence AI Focus
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CadenceAI — Not another Pomodoro app. Your brain doesn't work like everyone else's. Answer 4 quick questions, get a focus method matched to how you actually work, and an AI Coach that learns from every session. 6 FOCUS METHODS • Pomodoro 25/5 (free), Deep 50/10, Ultradian 90/20, Flowtime, Custom, Animedoro 50/20 • 5-minute starter tip when getting started feels impossible ANIMATED TIMER THEMES Pick how your timer looks: the signature progress ring or a growing plant (both free), or Pro themes — hourglass, candle, water, rocket, mountain, and an evolving pixel pet that grows the more you focus. FITNESS MODE Interval workouts with work and rest rounds. Tabata free; HIIT, Stretch and fully custom intervals with Pro. Clear on-screen WORK/REST flips, plus alarms that still fire when your phone is locked. WIND DOWN — NIGHT MODE • Rain scene free; Pro sleep and breathing scenes with curated soundscapes • Guided 4-7-8 breathing; durations up to infinite AI COACH Weekly insights from your session data, smart method re-evaluation, best focus hours, distraction patterns, and daily goal tips. SOUND MIXER + SPOTIFY (Pro) 12 built-in sounds, online library, mix up to 5 sounds, save presets. Spotify liked songs and playlists during focus. CALENDAR AND SCHEDULING Plan blocks for today or tomorrow, local reminders, sync to Calendar, import events as tasks. APP BLOCKER Block distracting apps during focus with Screen Time integration and custom shield. STUDY ROOMS Join with a 6-character code, live presence, chat, and shared focus energy. GROWTH TREE & YOUR ISLAND Plant a tree each session — it grows when you finish, wilts if you quit. Move the trees you earn onto your own isometric island, unlock new zones from Meadow to Summit at session milestones, and collect decorations as rewards. SMART SESSIONS Distraction tracking, +5 min extension, session journal, categories, daily goals, streaks, weekly score, Pro streak freezes. WATCH, WIDGET AND LIVE ACTIVITIES Apple Watch app, Dynamic Island, lock screen, home widget. LEADERBOARDS AND LEVELS Per-method global boards, Starter to Legend progression, achievement badges. STATS AND TASKS Heatmap, completion rates, CSV export. Link tasks to sessions. Pro: unlimited tasks. CADENCE AI PRO — 7-DAY FREE TRIAL All methods, AI Coach, full stats, calendar sync, app blocker, Spotify, unlimited sounds and tasks, 2 streak freezes per month. 16 LANGUAGES Light/dark theme. Pro features are clearly marked throughout the app. Continue without an account — guest sessions sync in the cloud and merge automatically when you sign up or sign in. Optional account for leaderboard, study rooms, and Spotify. Sign in with email, Apple, or GitHub. ALSO ON MAC CadenceAI runs on Apple silicon Macs too. Your timer, ambient sounds, coach and stats sync through your account, and Cadence Pro works on every device. Pair the free Cadence companion to pause distracting sites in your browser while you focus. Learn more at https://getcadenceai.app Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://getcadenceai.app/privacy Download CadenceAI. Find the rhythm that fits your brain.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Control at none against Cadence AI Focus's 3. Control also leads on ads (none vs shown). Cadence AI Focus's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.5). On price, update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Cadence AI Focus sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Control asks for nothing beyond the download.
Control ships an update every 5 days, Cadence AI Focus every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Control | Cadence AI Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 48 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Carlos Tarrats | Raul Alex Ratiu |
In-app purchases
Control
No in-app purchases
Cadence AI Focus
- Cadence Pro Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- Cadence Pro Yearly7 Days trial$24.901 Year
- Cadence Pro Lifetime$79.99









