Comparison

Focus Friend vs Tempo

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

Head to head
About

Focus Friend

Features
Read full description

Can't get started? Lose focus halfway through? Focus Friend is a calm focus timer built for ADHD brains and anyone who fights procrastination. One gentle session at a time. No pressure. No guilt. Just a timer that helps you begin. START IN SECONDS β€’ Pick a session type: Focus, Reading, Meditation, Quick Nap or Sleep β€’ Choose a length or save your favourite presets β€’ Type what you're working on so your brain knows the one thing to do SEE TIME PASS β€’ A clear countdown dial or a soothing hourglass with falling sand β€’ Follow your session on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island with Live Activities β€’ Start and end chimes so you never have to watch the clock CALM SOUNDS FOR FOCUS β€’ Rain, forest, ocean, cafΓ©, fireplace, piano, white noise and more (full library with Plus) β€’ Mix in background sound for study, reading or winding down to sleep β€’ Switch sounds mid-session without breaking your flow BUILD THE HABIT β€’ Daily focus time, streaks and a calendar heatmap of your progress β€’ Rate how each session felt and spot what works for you β€’ Gentle daily reminders at the time you choose MADE FOR YOU β€’ Light, dark or system theme β€’ Your data stays on your device. No account needed. FOCUS FRIEND PLUS Upgrade for the full sound library, no ads and advanced insights with yearly trends and session breakdowns. Choose monthly, yearly or a one-time lifetime purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple ID. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel in your App Store account settings. Focus Friend is a productivity tool. It is not a medical device and does not diagnose or treat ADHD. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Tempo

Features
Read full description

Tempo is a native focus timer built for the Apple ecosystem. No accounts, no clutterβ€”just clear work and break intervals to help you stay on track. Focus with rhythm Move through focus sessions, short breaks, and long breaks with a clean design and a distraction-free interface. Tap the ring to start, pause, or resume. Ready-made presets Choose from proven focus systems: - Classic β€” the standard Pomodoro method (25/5) - 52/17 β€” longer blocks for deep work - Short β€” quick intervals for fast tasks - Create your own presets with custom durations, breaks, and auto-start options. Stay on track without opening the app Live Activity on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island (supported iPhones). The timer keeps running in the background and restores when you return. Feedback when it matters Notifications when each segment ends. Optional sound and haptic feedback when you complete a session or cycle. Built for Apple Native SwiftUI design for iPhone, iPad, and Mac (menu bar). Light and dark mode, accessibility support, and a consistent experience across your devices. Privacy first Your preferences and presets are stored locally on your device. No sign-up. No tracking. Download Tempo and find your work rhythm. https://tempo.tobiasruano.com/privacy/ https://tempo.tobiasruano.com/terms/

Screenshots

Focus Friend4 screens
Tempo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tempo at none against Focus Friend's 3. Tempo also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 months). On price, ads, 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 Friend sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Tempo asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Focus Friend ships an update every 3 months, Tempo every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
Focus Friend versus Tempo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocus FriendTempo
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 9 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo β€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size78 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAvineet GuptaTobias Ruano

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Focus Friend

Subscriptions2
  • Focus Friend Plus β€” Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Focus Friend Plus β€” Yearly14 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Focus Friend Plus β€” Lifetime$14.99
None

Tempo

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Focus Friend free?
Focus Friend is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tempo free?
Tempo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Focus Friend or Tempo have ads?
Neither Focus Friend nor Tempo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Focus Friend or Tempo?
Focus Friend ships an update every 3 months, and Tempo every 9 days. Most recently, Focus Friend was updated on October 26, 2026 and Tempo on October 25, 2026.

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