Comparison

NoMo vs DeskTabby

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

Head to head
About

NoMo

Features
Read full description

Block distracting apps. Build a village with your focus. NoMo helps you make time for studying, work, reading, or simply being away from the scroll. Choose distracting apps, start a focus session, and turn completed focus time into a little village of your own. BLOCK DISTRACTIONS, FREE • Block chosen apps during focus sessions with Apple's Screen Time permission. • Use the focus timer even if you decline blocking permission. • Start without providing an email address or signing in with Apple. FOCUS → COINS → VILLAGE • Earn coins from qualifying completed focus sessions. • Save for homes, gardens and details that make your village feel like you. • Choose colours, arrange pieces and give animal companions a home. • Welcome pets and explore more of your island as you progress. A CALMER ROUTINE • Choose a focus duration or use count-up mode. • Settle into free ambient sounds or focus in silence. • See your focus time add up and keep a private, device-local journal. OPTIONAL NOMO PREMIUM NoMo Premium adds website blocking, scheduled Quiet Hours, full focus insights, weekly Field Notes, additional village designs and sound mixing. Some designs require NoMo Premium plus earned coins. Membership does not unlock every displayed item immediately or multiply the normal coin-earning rate. Pieces you acquire remain yours to place and edit after membership ends. Pets and regions also depend on your progress. YOUR DATA, CLEARLY EXPLAINED Connected guest mode creates a technical account for synced progress. Link an email or Apple identity to recover that account on another installation. Your v2 journal stays on the device. Optional first-party Usage analytics starts off; essential account, sync and purchase processing is separate. No advertising tracking. PURCHASE INFORMATION NoMo is free to start. Optional NoMo Premium monthly and annual subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled. Founder Lifetime is a one-time, non-consumable purchase with no recurring charge. The App Store shows your exact price, currency, billing period and introductory-offer eligibility before confirmation. Payment is charged to your Apple Account. Manage or cancel subscriptions in Apple Account subscription settings. Cancel at least 24 hours before the current period ends to avoid renewal. Account deletion does not cancel billing. Restore purchases using the same Apple Account. Terms: https://nomoinc.co/terms Apple standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy: https://nomoinc.co/privacy

About

DeskTabby

This app uses a charming virtual cat to help you stay focused using the Pomodoro technique. It offers a gentle, non-judgmental approach to productivity, rewarding your progress with in-game growth and customization options. Enjoy offline functionality and privacy-focused features.

Highlights
  • Pomodoro focus sessions
  • Live Activity on Dynamic Island and Lock Screen
  • Cat growth and customization
  • Offline functionality
  • Daily goals and streaks
  • Optional cosmetic in-app purchases
Read full description

Make a little time for one thing, with a cat beside you. DeskTabby keeps you company while you read, study, write, or work on something of your own. · Meet your cat: Bring it home, then start when ready. You can also choose a one-minute trial. Naming your cat and choosing a personality can wait. · One thing at a time: Choose a task or start a simple focus session. Pause and return when you need to. · Pick up again: Leave a short progress note or a next step, then find it when you come back. · A shared history: Look back on focused time, completed sessions, and the things you did together. Your cat grows with your focus. · A look of your own: Choose coat colors, patterns, and eyes. Try hats, glasses, scarves, little companions, and desk or sleep scenes together. · Optional gift packs: Some cosmetic choices are available as in-app purchases. They do not buy focus time or growth. · Private by default: No DeskTabby account, ads, analytics, or tracking. Task names and notes are stored locally and excluded from the optional iCloud progress backup. Local file backup and optional private iCloud progress backup are separate choices. Bring one thing. Leave a line. Come back whenever you are ready.

Screenshots

NoMo4 screens
DeskTabby4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: DeskTabby at every 5 days against NoMo's every 3 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. NoMo sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and DeskTabby sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NoMo ships an update every 3 weeks, DeskTabby every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
NoMo versus DeskTabby: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNoMoDeskTabby
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB130 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperGleb Suchkov Kalmykob军 郭

In-app purchases

3 purchases

NoMo

Subscriptions2
  • NoMo Premium$5.991 Month
  • Premium Annual7 Days trial$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$69.99
9 purchases

DeskTabby

One-time9
  • Eyewear Pack$3.99
  • Headwear Pack$3.99
  • Patterns Pack$3.99
Show 6 more
  • Neckwear Pack$3.99
  • Sleep Scene Pack$3.99
  • Desk Scene Pack$3.99
  • Pastel Coat Pack$5.99
  • Sidekicks Pack$5.99
  • Everything, Forever$24.99

Questions

Is NoMo free?
NoMo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DeskTabby free?
DeskTabby is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do NoMo or DeskTabby have ads?
Neither NoMo nor DeskTabby shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NoMo or DeskTabby?
NoMo ships an update every 3 weeks, and DeskTabby every 5 days. Most recently, NoMo was updated on October 25, 2026 and DeskTabby on October 29, 2026.

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