Comparison

PenTimer vs Next Thing

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

Head to head
About

PenTimer

Features
Read full description

PenTimer is a simple focus timer built around the classic 25-minute work and 5-minute break rhythm. Start a session, focus on your task, and stop whenever you’re done. Each session is saved using its real start and end time and stored as an event in Apple Calendar. These sessions are also shown as clear time blocks on a daily timeline, similar to how events appear in the Calendar app. There are no complex settings, no accounts, and no distractions. PenTimer is designed to stay out of your way and help you see how you actually spend your focused time throughout the day. Features Fixed 25-minute work sessions and 5-minute breaks Stop early or let the timer finish naturally Sessions saved as events in Apple Calendar Real start and end times recorded Daily timeline view with clear time blocks No accounts, no tracking, no ads PenTimer works entirely on your device and respects your privacy. Focus, one session at a time.

About

Next Thing

This app helps you focus on one task at a time using the simple Ivy Lee Method. Prioritize your top tasks each evening and tackle them sequentially the next day, reducing stress and boosting effectiveness. Ideal for those who find traditional to-do lists overwhelming.

Highlights
  • Ivy Lee Method task prioritization
  • Single-task focus
  • Evening task selection
  • Daily habit building
  • Lock screen widgets
  • Home screen widgets
  • Focus bell reminders
Features
Read full description

Most productivity apps make you more stressed, not less. Endless lists, complex systems, notifications pulling you in every direction. Next Thing is different: one list, one task at a time. Built on the Ivy Lee Method, a century-old system famously used by Charles Schwab, Next Thing strips productivity down to its most powerful form. Each evening, choose your most important tasks and rank them in order of priority. The next day, focus on one thing at a time. That's it. We've heard from users with ADHD that this single-task approach is a game changer. No overwhelming lists, just the next thing in front of you. How it works: - Add tasks to your list anytime a thought crosses your mind - Each evening, pick your top 6 and rank them by priority - The next day, focus on one task at a time. Done or skip. Nothing else. - Build the habit with streaks and satisfying completion moments - Optional morning and evening reminders, off unless you turn them on NEW: Projects Some work is bigger than a day. Tap the pill in the corner to switch to Projects mode, with the same calm, one-thing-at-a-time focus. - Break projects into tasks and subtasks - Add owners, start dates, and due dates - Progress rings fill as you check off subtasks - Rank your projects and see each one's next step on your focus screen - Check off the next step with one tap, right from the focus screen - Archive finished projects and restore them anytime Free to use, including one active project. Upgrades are one-time purchases. No subscription, ever. Ivy Lee Pro: - Live Activity and Dynamic Island - your current task, always in view - Lock screen widgets - see your #1 task without unlocking your phone - Home screen widget - see your #1 task without opening the app - Focus bell - set a reminder to check in on your current task - Streaks heatmap - track your consistency over time - Recurring tasks - daily habits auto-return to your list - Custom app icons and focus screen themes - Unlimited task list Projects Pro: - Unlimited active projects Complete: - Everything in Ivy Lee Pro and Projects Pro, for less than buying both Already own Pro from an earlier version? Thank you. Projects Pro is included, free. Your privacy matters. No account required, no login, no data sharing. Your tasks live on your device and nowhere else. Stop managing your productivity system. Start doing your next thing.

Screenshots

PenTimer4 screens
Next Thing4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PenTimer at none against Next Thing's 3. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Next Thing sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. PenTimer asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
PenTimer versus Next Thing: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPenTimerNext Thing
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequency—Every 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.517.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size0 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEMIRHAN SIMSEKJEREMIAH DANIEL ROBERTS

In-app purchases

None

PenTimer

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Next Thing

One-time3
  • Ivy Lee Pro$3.99
  • Projects Pro$5.99
  • Next Thing Complete$7.99

Questions

Is PenTimer free?
PenTimer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Next Thing free?
Next Thing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PenTimer or Next Thing have ads?
Neither PenTimer nor Next Thing shows ads.

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