NodeSketch vs FocusLens
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NodeSketch
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YOUR IDEAS, WITHOUT BOUNDARIES. NodeSketch is a high-performance, minimalist infinite canvas for visual thinkers, students, developers, designers, and creators. Sketch freely, build powerful mind maps, organize complex ideas, and turn inspiration into action—all in one focused workspace. Whether you’re mapping an app architecture, taking handwritten notes, studying for an exam, planning a project, or brainstorming your next big idea, NodeSketch gives your thoughts room to move in every direction. WHY NODESKETCH? In a world of cluttered note-taking apps and complicated drawing suites, NodeSketch prioritizes simplicity, speed, and focus. It combines the freedom of paper with the flexibility of an infinite digital workspace—without getting in your way. SKETCH ON AN INFINITE CANVAS • Never run out of room on a boundless canvas • Draw naturally with Apple Pencil • Use pressure and tilt for expressive shading • Enable pencil-only drawing with palm rejection • Quickly undo and redo strokes, erasing, image moves, and more • Keep your work readable with ink that adapts to dark mode BUILD POWERFUL MIND MAPS Turn scattered thoughts into structured, visual ideas. • Create automatically arranged topic trees • Add notes, tasks, emoji, and cross-links • Drag topics to reorganize your map • Focus on one branch at a time • Edit your map as an indented outline • Search across topics and content • Import OPML and FreeMind files • Export maps as outlines, OPML, PNG, or PDF LEARN AND PRESENT YOUR IDEAS Go beyond brainstorming with tools designed for learning and communication. • Study mind maps as interactive flashcards • Present maps one topic at a time • Turn handwritten notes into editable mind maps • Attach sketches to individual topics • Generate private, on-device summaries and subtopic suggestions with Apple Intelligence on supported devices START FASTER WITH TEMPLATES Jump-start your work with templates for: • Brainstorms • Study and lecture notes • Meeting notes • Project plans • Cornell notes • SWOT analyses • Weekly planning • Storyboards • App wireframes • Grid and ruled paper ORGANIZE EVERYTHING Keep your creative library clean and easy to navigate. • Organize documents with folders • Search your entire library • Find mind map topics and recognized handwriting • Access content through Spotlight • Move seamlessly between sketches and mind maps WORK ACROSS YOUR APPLE DEVICES Automatic iCloud sync keeps your work up to date across Mac, iPhone, and iPad when you use the same Apple ID. Start an idea on one device and continue wherever inspiration finds you. SHARE AND INTEGRATE • Share complete NodeSketch documents • Import Markdown, OPML, and FreeMind maps • Use Siri, Shortcuts, Quick Note, and the Share extension • Export work for studying, presenting, or sharing with others A WORKSPACE DESIGNED FOR FOCUS NodeSketch’s high-contrast interface, full-bleed canvas, and refined Liquid Glass design keep your ideas front and center. Floating tools remain close when needed and out of the way when they’re not. NODESKETCH PRO Upgrade to unlock the full creative studio: • Unlimited documents and mind map topics • Handwriting-to-mind-map conversion • Apple Intelligence tools • Flashcards and presentation mode • Premium templates • Folder organization • Lines, arrows, rectangles, and ellipse tools • Streamlined, smoother ink • Grid and lined paper styles • Custom color palettes • Photos and document scans • PDF, transparent PNG, and high-resolution exports The free version includes up to three active documents and up to ten topics per mind map, so you can explore the essential NodeSketch experience before upgrading. Stop thinking in pages. Start thinking in space. Download NodeSketch and give your ideas room to grow. Charged to Apple ID; renews unless canceled 24h. Privacy Policy: https://polarisview.com/apps/nodesketch/privacy-policy/ Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
FocusLens
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FocusLens is the iOS companion for the Mac focus time tracker that measures only the time you actually look at the screen using your camera. Key Features: • Today's Focus Dashboard View focus time, session count, and focus rate measured on your Mac at a glance • Hourly Heatmap Visualize your 24-hour focus pattern to discover your personal golden hours • Weekly/Monthly Stats Track focus habits with 7-day bar charts and monthly trend line charts • Goal Management Set daily/weekly focus goals and monitor your progress • Achievement System Collect badges for focus streaks, cumulative hours, and more • Cloud Sync Sign in with Google or Apple to automatically sync data from your Mac • 6 Languages Supported English, 한국어, 日本語, 简体中文, 繁體中文 • 100% Privacy All face detection is processed locally on Mac. No video is ever stored. ※ This app is a companion for FocusLens on Mac. Focus time tracking is performed on your Mac.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: FocusLens at weekly against NodeSketch's every 5 months. On price, ads, 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
Both are free to download. NodeSketch sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and FocusLens sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
NodeSketch ships an update every 5 months, FocusLens weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NodeSketch | FocusLens |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Isaias Batista | Noh Woo Joo |
In-app purchases
NodeSketch
- Plus Member$2.991 Month
- Plus Member7 Days trial$19.991 Year
FocusLens
- FocusLens Pro - Lifetime$3.99









