ZenWall vs Refocus
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ZenWall
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WHY ZENWALL WORKS WHERE OTHERS FAIL Unlike apps that rely on willpower or easy bypasses, ZenWall creates real cognitive friction: • SMART UNLOCK CHALLENGE Random number sequences block impulsive unlocking. Each attempt requires genuine intent. No "just this once" loopholes. • PARTIAL UNLOCK REWARDS Made a mistake during unlock? Get 1 minute of access per correct digit. Fair, but friction-filled. • SCREEN TIME INTEGRATION True device-level app blocking during sessions. Even force-quitting the app won't help. Your focus fortress persists. • POMODORO BUILT-IN Automated work/break cycles with customizable durations. Screen auto-unlocks during breaks, re-locks for work. Set it and forget it. • LIVE ACTIVITIES Your focus session timer stays visible on the lock screen. Track progress without unlocking. • AMBIENT SOUNDSCAPES Rain, ocean waves, fireplace, meditation sounds, and more. Premium sounds include water fountain, deep meditation, and nature ambience. • ICLOUD SYNC Your settings, preferences, and stats sync across all your iOS devices seamlessly. BUILT FOR: - Deep Work Sessions - 2-hour blocks of uninterrupted creativity - Pomodoro Practitioners - Automated 25/5 work/break cycling - Students & Test Prep - Study sessions from 30 minutes to 3 hours - ADHD Focus Support - Stronger barriers than "gentle reminder" apps - Digital Detox - Break phone addiction with real resistance - Remote Workers - Maintain productivity without constant pings FREE FOREVER: • 30-minute focus sessions • Basic ambient sounds (rain, ocean) • Pomodoro timer • Screen Time blocking • Live Activities • iCloud sync ZENWALL PREMIUM: • Unlimited session durations • Custom session lengths • All premium ambient sounds (6+ soundscapes) • Priority support • Future feature access READY TO BUILD YOUR FOCUS FORTRESS? Download ZenWall now and experience friction-based focus that actually works. No accounts. No tracking. Your privacy protected. Questions? Email: piotr@gebski.cloud Privacy Policy: https://geba89.github.io/ZenWallWebsite/privacy-policy.html Terms: https://geba89.github.io/ZenWallWebsite/terms-of-use.html
Refocus
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Focus is not just about willpower. It can be designed. Refocus is a focus timer created with inspiration from scientific research on attention, breaks, and cognitive load. Today, our minds are constantly exposed to stimulation from smartphones, social media, notifications, videos, and endless streams of short information. When your mind is still filled with that noise, simply starting a traditional focus timer may not be enough to help you switch into a focused state. Refocus begins by preparing the state before focus. First, you take a short break to let your mind cool down and settle. Before the break, you can write down one small thing you want to do afterward. This helps you stop holding the next task in your head while resting, and makes it easier to return to work smoothly when the break ends. Refocus is not just about dividing time. It is about resting, clearing your mind, remembering what comes next, and returning to focus. Main features: ・A focus timer designed with scientific insights in mind ・A unique workflow that starts with a break ・A simple note feature to write down what you will do after the break ・A smooth flow that helps you return to focus after resting ・A simple cycle of focus and break sessions ・Calming animations and a minimal interface Recommended for people who: ・Take time to get into focus ・Feel mentally scattered after using smartphones or social media ・Forget what they were going to do after taking a break ・Want to reset their mind before starting work ・Prefer a simple and calm timer app ・Want to enter focus naturally, without forcing it Rest first. Clear your mind. Leave your next task behind. Then return to focus. Refocus is a timer designed to help create a state where focus can happen more naturally.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Refocus at none against ZenWall's 2. On price, update cadence, ads 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. ZenWall sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Refocus asks for nothing beyond the download.
ZenWall ships an update fortnightly, Refocus every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ZenWall | Refocus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 89 MB | 51 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Piotr Gebski | Hiroki Nishikawa |
In-app purchases
ZenWall
- ZenWall Monthly Premium$4.991 Month
- ZenWall Yearly Premium$39.991 Year
Refocus
No in-app purchases









