Comparison

Dotly vs Koku

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

Head to head
About

Dotly

Features
Read full description

Dotly — capture to Workflowy in seconds. A fleeting thought. A sudden idea. A task you can't afford to forget. Dotly helps you capture it instantly and send it straight to Workflowy. Whether you're offline or on the move, Dotly keeps your thoughts safe until you're ready to sync. Designed for speed and calm, it brings the art of writing and the beauty of structure together — in one elegant flow. Features: - Instant Capture: Add notes, ideas, or reminders to Workflowy in seconds. No friction, no fuss. - Offline Outbox: Write anytime, anywhere. Dotly queues your notes and syncs automatically when you're back online. - Minimal Design: A clean, fluid interface that keeps you focused on what matters: your thoughts. - Smart Shortcuts: Capture with a single tap from widgets or keyboard shortcuts. Send instantly, stay in the flow. - History: Review everything you've sent. Your capture timeline, always accessible. - Custom Settings: Choose how and where your dots land inside Workflowy. - Cross-Platform: Available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. One purchase unlocks all platforms. Dotly is for thinkers, creators, and builders — for anyone who believes that every great project begins with a single thought. Download Dotly and start capturing.

About

Koku

This app helps you focus on tasks with customizable work and rest intervals. It offers a simple, distraction-free interface and integrates with your home screen and Apple Watch for easy access and control. Enjoy deep work without accounts, streaks, or subscriptions.

Highlights
  • Customizable focus and rest sessions
  • Classic Pomodoro rhythm option
  • Home Screen widget for quick access
  • Live Activities on lock screen
  • Apple Watch companion app
  • Minimalist, distraction-free design
Features
Read full description

Koku is a focus timer for deep work. Focus. Rest. Repeat. Set your own session lengths or use the classic rhythm - twenty-five minutes of focus, five minutes of rest, a longer break every four sessions. Each minute is a dot. Watch them fill. - No accounts. - No streaks. - No subscriptions. Just time, and the work in front of you. Add Koku to your Home Screen for quick access - start, pause, and skip sessions right from the widget. Keep the timer visible on your lock screen with Live Activities. Koku also includes an Apple Watch companion app that works with the iPhone app, so you can check your timer and control sessions from your wrist. Designed for iPhone, with an Apple Watch companion. Light and dark mode. Works in any language. Koku (刻) is the Japanese word for a moment of time.

Screenshots

Dotly4 screens
Koku4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Koku at none against Dotly's 1. Koku also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 5 weeks). Dotly's advantage is device support (4 vs 2). On price, ads and iOS requirement 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. Dotly sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Koku asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dotly ships an update every 5 weeks, Koku every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Dotly versus Koku: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDotlyKoku
PriceFreeFree
Rating—3.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS26.0 — better26.4
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndriy BezemchukRodolfo Alberto Lopez Terriquez

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Dotly

One-time1
  • Dotly Pro (Lifetime)$2.99
None

Koku

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Dotly free?
Dotly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Koku free?
Koku is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Dotly or Koku have ads?
Neither Dotly nor Koku shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Dotly or Koku?
Dotly ships an update every 5 weeks, and Koku every 3 days. Most recently, Dotly was updated on October 6, 2026 and Koku on October 11, 2026.

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