Comparison

FlowFocus vs CTRL Focus

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

Head to head
About

FlowFocus

Features
Read full description

A free Pomodoro focus timer with no ads and no account to create. Open FlowFocus, pick a task and start focusing. The timer, tasks, stats, Apple Watch app and widgets are all free. Simple and ADHD-friendly: one task, one clear countdown and nothing to set up. Made for studying and exams, deep work and coding, writing, reading and getting through your to-do list. FOCUS YOUR WAY • Classic 25/5 Pomodoro, or your own presets for focus, short break and long break • A long break after the number of sessions you choose • Link a task to a session and watch its pomodoro count grow • Ambient focus sounds to drown out the noise around you ALWAYS IN VIEW • Live Activity on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island • Home Screen widgets and Control Center controls to start a session in one tap • Apple Watch app: start, pause and follow your timer from your wrist • Siri and Shortcuts: start a focus session with your voice • Mac menu bar app with global keyboard shortcuts TASKS THAT KEEP SCORE • Estimate how many pomodoros a task needs and see how many you have done • Priorities and due dates • Pick the task you are working on right from the timer SEE YOUR PROGRESS • Today and This Week focus charts • Full session history • Streak calendar that shows every day you focused • Export your data any time, or log sessions to your calendar if you turn it on PRIVATE BY DESIGN • No sign-up: your tasks and sessions sync on their own between your iPhone, iPad and Mac when they use the same Apple Account • No ads and no tracking across other apps • Delete all of your data from inside the app at any time FLOWFOCUS PRO (OPTIONAL) Everything above stays free. If you want more, FlowFocus Pro adds: • All 16 color themes and all 16 focus sounds • Commitment mode: once a session starts, it cannot be paused, reset or skipped • Unlimited app blocking with Screen Time: block every app and category that distracts you until the session ends (one is free) • Month view and insights in Stats • CSV export • Unlimited custom presets FlowFocus Pro is available as a monthly or yearly subscription, each with a 3-day free trial, or as a one-time lifetime purchase. Prices are shown in the app before you buy. Payment is charged to your Apple Account when you confirm the purchase, or when the free trial ends. A subscription renews automatically unless it is cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and your account is charged for the renewal within 24 hours before the period ends. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings at any time. Restore earlier purchases from Settings in the app. Made for students revising for exams, developers in deep work, writers on a deadline, and anyone who works better in focused sprints. Questions or ideas? Write to support@tappect.com. We read every message. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.tappect.com/apps/flowfocus/privacy

About

CTRL Focus

Features
Read full description

You do not need another noisy productivity app. You need a simple way to start focused work, stay with it and build momentum. CTRL Focus is a clean deep work timer designed to help you protect your attention, structure your sessions and make focused work easier to start. Start a focus session, choose your duration and stay with one clear task at a time. Whether you are studying, building, writing, coding or working on your next project, CTRL Focus helps you create a simple rhythm for deep work. What you can do with CTRL Focus: Start focused work sessions Choose custom session durations Track your focus time Build visible focus momentum Review your stats Create a cleaner work rhythm Reduce friction before starting deep work Use CTRL Focus for: Deep work Studying Coding Writing Creative work Exam preparation Work sprints Pomodoro-style sessions Building better focus habits No clutter. No unnecessary complexity. Just a clean system for starting focused sessions and showing up consistently. Start a session. Protect your attention. Build momentum.

Screenshots

FlowFocus4 screens
CTRL Focus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CTRL Focus at none against FlowFocus's 3. FlowFocus's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs weekly) and device support (5 vs 2). On price and ads 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. FlowFocus sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. CTRL Focus asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FlowFocus ships an update every 4 days, CTRL Focus weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 2 level
FlowFocus versus CTRL Focus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFlowFocusCTRL Focus
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size129 MB54 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTappect LLCCTRL Studio UG (haftungsbeschrankt)

In-app purchases

3 purchases

FlowFocus

Subscriptions2
  • FlowFocus Pro Monthly3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • FlowFocus Pro Yearly3 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • FlowFocus Pro Lifetime$24.99
None

CTRL Focus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FlowFocus free?
FlowFocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CTRL Focus free?
CTRL Focus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do FlowFocus or CTRL Focus have ads?
Neither FlowFocus nor CTRL Focus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FlowFocus or CTRL Focus?
FlowFocus ships an update every 4 days, and CTRL Focus weekly. Most recently, FlowFocus was updated on October 30, 2026 and CTRL Focus on October 28, 2026.

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