# Terrible Focus vs FocusPal

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Terrible Focus at none against FocusPal's 3. FocusPal's advantage is ratings volume (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (17.2 vs 26.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. FocusPal sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Terrible Focus asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Terrible Focus against 5.0 for FocusPal. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. Both last shipped on October 16, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Terrible Focus | FocusPal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/terrible-focus/id6756170441/reviews) | [5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focuspal-pomodoro-timer/id6777933781/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **3** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 40 MB | 145 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **17.2** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Verena Ortlieb](https://appshunter.io/developer/6789599030) | [LIFEPLUS TECH LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1480626984) |

## What reviewers say

### Terrible Focus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/terrible-focus/id6756170441)

This app uses a unique approach to focus by locking your phone while a virtual potato companion builds a home. Your focus directly contributes to their progress, creating a sense of shared accomplishment without pressure or punishment. It offers a gentle, human-made experience designed to reduce phone-related anxiety.

**Highlights:** Phone locking focus timer, Virtual companion progress, Hand-drawn art and animations, Pause sessions without penalty, Dynamic, evolving environment, No streaks or user comparison

**In-app purchases:** none


### FocusPal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focuspal-pomodoro-timer/id6777933781)

This app offers a personalized Pomodoro timer experience by allowing users to create a "Pal" from their own photos. It includes features to block distractions, display a live countdown on the Lock Screen, and track focus sessions with detailed reports.

**Highlights:** Customizable Pal companion from photos, Pomodoro timer with adjustable durations, Focus Shield to block distractions, Live countdown on Lock Screen and Dynamic Island, Animated Pal companions, Customizable focus backgrounds, Focus time tracking and stats reports

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Pro | $2.99 | per month |
| Annual Pro | $19.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Pro | $26.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Terrible Focus free?

Terrible Focus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is FocusPal free?

FocusPal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Terrible Focus or FocusPal?

Terrible Focus and FocusPal are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 3 ratings respectively.

### Do Terrible Focus or FocusPal have ads?

Neither Terrible Focus nor FocusPal shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Terrible Focus or FocusPal?

Terrible Focus ships an update weekly, and FocusPal weekly. Most recently, Terrible Focus was updated on October 16, 2026 and FocusPal on October 16, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*