Comparison

Focus vs Aside

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

Head to head
About

Focus

Features
Read full description

Your brain forgot how to focus. You open Instagram for five minutes. Suddenly, it’s midnight. Focus helps you block distracting apps, reduce screen time, stop doomscrolling, and protect the time you want to spend studying, working, creating, or resting. BLOCK DISTRACTIONS BEFORE THEY STEAL YOUR TIME Choose the apps and websites that distract you most, then create a blocking system that works for your day. β€’ Start an immediate focus block β€’ Schedule recurring focus sessions β€’ Set daily app limits β€’ Control endless scrolling β€’ Protect study, work, and sleep time FOCUS THAT FIGHTS BACK When you try to open a distracting app, Focus interrupts the impulse and helps you return to what matters. Less mindless scrolling. More intentional time. BUILD VISIBLE MOMENTUM Small focus sessions turn into meaningful progress. β€’ Complete focus sessions β€’ Build and maintain streaks β€’ Earn XP and unlock progress β€’ Track your focused time β€’ See the time you are taking back CREATE A SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR YOU Use Focus for: β€’ Studying and exam preparation β€’ Deep work and creative projects β€’ Reducing social media use β€’ Building healthier screen habits β€’ Staying present during your day β€’ Creating distraction-free routines YOU DON’T NEED MORE WILLPOWER Distractions are designed to keep you scrolling. Focus gives you the structure, friction, and accountability needed to break the automatic loop. Set your limits. Protect your attention. Build better habits. Take your time back with Focus. Some features require a Focus Pro subscription. Subscription details and pricing are displayed before purchase. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://focuslife.space/privacy-policy

About

Aside

Features
Read full description

Aside helps you block distracting apps, reduce doomscrolling, and stay focused when it matters most. Whether you are studying, working deeply, sleeping better, or spending less time on social media, Aside gives you a calmer way to take control of your screen time. No login. No judgment. No pressure. Create intentional blocking sessions for social apps, video apps, games, and anything that pulls your attention. Start a focus session, put your phone aside, and let Aside help you stay committed through the moments that usually slip away. Aside is designed to feel simple, warm, and motivating. It is never strict or overwhelming. A small purple companion named Pip keeps you going, and gentle streaks show your consistency building over time, without guilt if you miss a session. KEY BENEFITS - Block distracting apps during focus sessions so you can actually start - Reduce doomscrolling and impulsive checking with simple, real-time limits - Set recurring schedules for the times you need focus most, like mornings or late nights - Build streaks and track your progress without pressure - Take short challenges that help you form better phone habits - See honest insights into your screen time trends so you know what is changing - Stay motivated with Pip, your friendly companion USE ASIDE WHEN YOU WANT TO - Stop wasting time on social media - Focus on work or study - Avoid late-night scrolling - Build a digital detox routine - Create healthier phone habits - Protect your attention during deep work Aside uses Apple’s Screen Time API to help you select and block distracting apps on your device. Your app selections and blocking activity stay private on your iPhone. No account. No cloud tracking. Take a break from distractions. Put them aside. Aside Premium Aside Premium is an auto-renewable subscription with weekly and yearly options. Pricing and duration are shown clearly before purchase in the app. No account is required to use Aside. Purchases are managed through your Apple ID. You can restore your subscription in the app if you reinstall or switch devices. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://asideblocker.com/en/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Support: https://asideblocker.com/en/help

Screenshots

Focus4 screens
Aside4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Focus at none against Aside's shown. Aside's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 9 days). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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. Focus sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Aside sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Focus ships an update every 9 days, Aside every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
Focus versus Aside: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocusAside
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysEvery 3 days β€” better
AdsNo β€” betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad β€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 β€” better16.4
Further details β€” not scored
Size88 MB58 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMohammed Sunain AliKioshi Okamoto

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Focus

Subscriptions3
  • Focus Pro Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Focus Pro Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Focus Pro Yearly3 Days trial$24.991 Year
2 purchases

Aside

Subscriptions2
  • Aside Premium3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Aside Premium7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Focus free?
Focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aside free?
Aside is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Focus or Aside have ads?
Aside shows ads; Focus does not.
Which is updated more often, Focus or Aside?
Focus ships an update every 9 days, and Aside every 3 days. Most recently, Focus was updated on October 24, 2026 and Aside on October 25, 2026.

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