Comparison

TakeTime vs Focustown

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

Head to head
About

TakeTime

This app helps you avoid distractions by requiring a brief learning activity before accessing blocked apps. You can create custom learning modules from PDFs and images, or use pre-made content to stay focused and productive.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps
  • Complete learning activities
  • Create custom study modules
  • Convert PDFs to learning content
  • Simple and fast UI
  • Designed for focus
Features
Read full description

Study before you scroll. TakeTime blocks distracting apps and makes you complete a quick study question before you can keep using them. Trying to stop wasting time on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or games? TakeTime helps turn those moments into SAT prep, AP review, LeetCode practice, flashcards, or questions from your own class materials. Perfect for SAT prep AP exam review LeetCode and coding interviews College classes High school courses Language learning Flashcards Quiz practice PDF study guides Lecture slides and notes How TakeTime helps Block distracting apps Choose the apps you want to limit using Apple Screen Time. Answer before unlocking When you hit your limit, TakeTime gives you a short learning activity before you can continue. Learn in quick reps Read a short explanation, answer a quiz, review a flashcard, or practice a question in under a minute. Upload your own material Add PDFs, notes, screenshots, slides, and worksheets. TakeTime turns them into quizzes and study modules. Share PDFs into TakeTime Send study materials from Files, Safari, Google Drive, Canvas, Notion, or other apps using the iOS Share Sheet. Stay consistent TakeTime helps you study during the moments when you normally get distracted. Examples Review SAT grammar before opening TikTok Answer an AP Bio question before scrolling Instagram Practice a LeetCode pattern before watching YouTube Review lecture slides before opening Snapchat Turn a PDF study guide into quick quiz questions Privacy TakeTime uses Apple’s Screen Time API. App blocking runs on your device, and your browsing history never leaves your phone. Uploads are processed to generate questions and learning cards. Screen Time permission is required for app blocking. All features described require a subscription. Terms of Service: https://taketime.app/terms.html Support: https://www.taketime.app/support.html Privacy Policy: https://www.taketime.app/privacy.html

About

Focustown

This app offers a virtual co-working space with cozy, low-poly environments where users can study or work alongside others globally. It features customizable avatars, in-app timers, and the ability to connect with friends for shared focus sessions.

Highlights
  • Cozy study environments
  • Study with real people globally
  • Earn coins and customize avatars
  • Study sessions with friends
  • Built-in focus timer
Features
Read full description

Study with people from all over the world in a cozy low poly environment. Focustown helps you achieve your dreams one focus session at a time. Pick your vibe — a cozy cafe or a quiet library — and join a server where you can sit next to real people studying in real time. Whether you're a student grinding for exams or a working professional tackling your next big project, you're never alone on your journey. FEATURES: • Cozy Study Environments – Choose between beautifully designed cafes and libraries to set the perfect study mood. • Study With Real People – Join servers and focus alongside others from around the world in real time. • Earn Coins & Customize – Complete focus sessions to earn coins and decorate your character with fun accessories. • Study With Friends – Start sessions with your real friends and hold each other accountable. • Focus Timer – A built-in study timer to keep you on track and make every session count. Focustown was built to inspire millions of students and working professionals — reminding them that they're not alone in their journey to make a dent in this universe. Your dreams are worth every focus session. Start yours today. Similar apps include: Forest, Focus Tree, Flora, or Study Bunny Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

TakeTime4 screens
Focustown4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Focustown at free with in-app purchases against TakeTime's subscription. Focustown also leads on update cadence (daily vs fortnightly) and ratings volume (9.3K vs 20). TakeTime's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (100% vs 77%). On price, 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. TakeTime sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Focustown sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Focustown holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Focustown has 9.3K ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of TakeTime's written reviews are positive against 77% of Focustown's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TakeTime ships an update fortnightly, Focustown daily. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
TakeTime versus Focustown: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTakeTimeFocustown
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (20 ratings)4.8 (9.3K ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better77.0% of reviews
Number of ratings209.3K — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyDaily — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank—#191 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.016.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB1.1 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTenille HyunSecond Round Inc.

Customer experience

TakeTime

All ratings20 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative5.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Focustown

All ratings9,189 ratings
Positive95.3%
Neutral2.5%
Negative2.2%
Written reviews1,002 reviews
Positive77.0%
Neutral9.6%
Negative13.4%

In-app purchases

6 purchases

TakeTime

Subscriptions5
  • TakeTime Pro Weekly Discount$4.997 Days
  • TakeTime Pro Monthly$9.991 Month
  • TakeTime Pro Weekly3 Days trial$9.997 Days
Show 2 more
  • TakeTime Pro Yearly Discount3 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • TakeTime Pro Yearly3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • 5 Upload Credits$2.99
10 purchases

Focustown

Subscriptions5
  • Foucstown Pro Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Foucstown Pro Yearly$19.991 Year
  • Foucstown Pro Yearly$39.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Foucstown Pro Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Foucstown Pro Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time5
  • Starter Pack$0.99
  • Pocketful Golden Beans$0.99
  • Sack of Golden Beans$2.99
Show 2 more
  • Bucket of Golden Beans$9.99
  • Bucket of Golden Beans$19.99

Questions

Is TakeTime free?
TakeTime is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Focustown free?
Focustown is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, TakeTime or Focustown?
Focustown is rated higher. TakeTime averages 4.5 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Focustown averages 4.8 from 9.3K ratings.
Do TakeTime or Focustown have ads?
Focustown shows ads; TakeTime does not.
Which is updated more often, TakeTime or Focustown?
TakeTime ships an update fortnightly, and Focustown daily. Most recently, TakeTime was updated on November 5, 2026 and Focustown on November 6, 2026.

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