Comparison

Focus Rail vs Train Mode

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

Head to head
About

Focus Rail

This app transforms focus sessions into engaging train journeys across real railway routes. Stay motivated by watching your progress on a map as you complete work or study blocks. It offers a more visually dynamic alternative to traditional timers.

Highlights
  • Gamified train journeys for focus sessions
  • Pomodoro and deep work session options
  • Live Activities for active sessions
  • Trip history and session statistics
  • Ambient sound options
  • Customizable map styles
Features
Read full description

Focus Rail is a focus timer that turns work and study sessions into train journeys across real railway routes. Choose a starting station, set a session length, and board your train. As you stay focused, your route moves forward on the map. It is a simple idea, but it makes a plain timer feel much more alive. Focus Rail is built for people who want more than a countdown: • Start study sessions with a clear ritual • See progress through a moving train and live route • Use Pomodoro style sessions or longer deep work blocks • Keep active sessions visible with Live Activities • Review past trips and build a routine you can stick with • Add ambient sound when you want a calmer workspace What you can do: • Pick an origin station and travel to real destinations • Set short study bursts or long deep work sessions • Follow your journey on the map in real time • Use optional screen controls when you want fewer distractions • Check trip history and session stats • Choose map styles that match your mood • Get reminders to start your next session Focus Rail works well for study, reading, writing, coding, exam prep, and quiet solo work. If Pomodoro timers feel too flat and traditional focus apps feel too cold, this gives you something more motivating without getting in your way. Focus Rail Pro unlocks more map styles, full trip history, Live Activities, and extra ways to stay on track. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Train Mode

Features
Read full description

All aboard for fewer distractions. Train Mode turns focus into a calm train ride. Choose a city, pick a route, board the train, and stay on track while you work, study, read, write, or take a break from distracting apps. Instead of staring at a plain timer, Train Mode gives your focus session a beginning, a journey, and an arrival. Your ride moves through station milestones, helping you feel progress without constantly checking your phone. HOW IT WORKS Choose a city. Pick a train ride. Board the train. Stay focused until you arrive. Train Mode is designed for people who want a more playful, calming way to start and finish focused sessions. FEATURES • Train-themed focus sessions Pick a ride and turn your work time into a journey. • City and route selection Choose from different cities and train rides, each with its own mood and duration. • Station progress Move through simple station milestones as your session continues. • App blocking support Use Screen Time permissions to help block selected distracting apps and categories during a ride. • Arrival summary When the ride ends, see your completed session and celebrate arriving on track. • Calm visual design A cozy train-inspired interface with clean routes, gentle progress, and a focused atmosphere. • Flexible focus lengths Use short rides for quick resets or longer rides for deeper work. TRAIN MODE PRO Unlock more ways to build your personal railway for focus. Pro features may include: • Custom train rides Create your own routes, durations, and station names. • More blocking presets Set up different app-blocking lists for work, study, reading, sleep, or creative time. • Scheduled departures Plan recurring focus rides so your routine starts on time. • Focus stats Track completed rides, focus minutes, streaks, and recent sessions. • Ticket stamps Collect a ticket each time you complete a ride. • Ambient train sounds Add a calming train atmosphere to your focus session. WHY TRAINS? A train ride has a clear departure, a route, and an arrival. Train Mode uses that simple idea to make focus feel less like forcing yourself to be productive and more like stepping into a quiet carriage for a little while. Use Train Mode for: • Studying • Writing • Reading • Deep work • Homework • Creative projects • Screen breaks • Reducing social media distractions • Building a calmer daily routine IMPORTANT NOTE Train Mode cannot turn on Airplane Mode automatically. Instead, it can help block selected distracting apps using Apple’s Screen Time permissions. Board a ride. Leave distractions at the station. Privacy Policy: corearcstudio.com/trainmode/privacy Support: corearcstudio.com/trainmode/support Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Focus Rail4 screens
Train Mode4 screens

Verdict

The call

Focus Rail and Train Mode are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Focus Rail sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Train Mode sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Focus Rail versus Train Mode: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocus RailTrain Mode
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size93 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMithilesh ChellappanCore Arc Studio LLC

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Focus Rail

Subscriptions2
  • Focus Rail Pro$3.991 Month
  • Focus Rail Pro7 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Focus Rail Pro (Lifetime)$35.99
3 purchases

Train Mode

Subscriptions2
  • Train Mode Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Train Mode Pro Yearly$12.991 Year
One-time1
  • Train Mode Pro Lifetime$24.99

Questions

Is Focus Rail free?
Focus Rail is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Train Mode free?
Train Mode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Focus Rail or Train Mode have ads?
Neither Focus Rail nor Train Mode shows ads.

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