Comparison

Flow vs Couchette

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

Head to head
About

Flow

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Flow's blocking concept relies on putting a physical object - the Flow Key - between you and your mobile distractions. Tap it to start a session, and your chosen apps and websites will block instantly. The only way back in is to tap the key again, so the moment you put it out of reach, those distractions go with it. That's where the magic happens. The Flow Key is a premium, matte black metal NFC card that pairs with the Flow app. It's solid, can fit in your pocket or wallet, and is built to be the one thing standing between you and your phone. Flow creates the kind of friction that actually sticks, so you can spend less time on your device and more time on what actually matters in your life. HOW IT WORKS - Set up a mode by choosing which apps or websites to block, or flip it and only allow the apps you need, blocking everything else. - Tap your Flow Key to your phone to instantly start the session. - Place your key somewhere out of reach and where you won't have the urge to grab it. - When you're ready to finish, simply tap the Flow Key again to end your session. The concept is simple, yet highly effective. FEATURES - Modes: Create custom modes for every part of your day. Choose specific apps and websites to block, or switch it around and only allow the apps you need, blocking everything else. Mix and match for Work, Study, Sleep, Gym, or anything else your routine demands. - Schedules: Set recurring focus sessions that start automatically at the times you choose. Your blocks kick in without you having to think about it. - Website Blocking: Block distracting websites alongside your apps. You can block specific domains, all websites at once, or enable adult content filtering, giving you full control over what you can and can't access during a session. - Emergency Overrides: Life happens. Flow includes a limited number of emergency overrides so you can regain access when you genuinely need to, without completely bypassing the system. Use them responsibly. - Personal Stats: Track your focus habits over time with detailed stats. See your daily, weekly, and all time focus time, your current streak, your best days, and how your output trends week over week. The more you use Flow, the clearer your patterns become. - Friends and Community Leaderboard: Add friends and compete on a shared leaderboard. See who's putting in the most focus time each week and use the accountability to push yourself further. YOUR PRIVACY All app blocking runs through Apple's Screen Time framework. Flow never sees which apps you use, what websites you visit, or how you spend your time. That data will always stay on your personal device. Flow is for anyone who's serious about reclaiming their time. Whether you're a student, a professional, or just someone who wants to be more present - the companion Flow Key gives you a tangible way to draw the line between distraction and focus. Welcome to your flow state.

About

Couchette

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Tonight, take an overnight train. Couchette is a focus timer disguised as a European sleeper carriage. Choose a destination, choose how long you have, and let the rhythm of the rails carry you through the work. Your train only moves while you do. β€” YOUR JOURNEY PERSISTS β€” The cabin runs at real pace. If you have 25 minutes on a London–Inverness run, your train stops where it would actually be, somewhere south of Crewe β€” and tomorrow night you board again from that exact spot. A four-hour overnight can take a week of sessions. Your progress is a route, not a streak counter. β€” EIGHT HISTORICAL SLEEPER ROUTES β€” The Carpathian Night. The Trans-Siberian Reverie. The Nightjet over the Brenner. Each one hand-drawn from real timetables, with real stations crossed at the right moment in your session. Plus any destination on Earth. β€” THE COMPARTMENT β€” - A brass-framed window with a parallax landscape drifting past in real time - Rails, cabin creaks and rain on the glass - Station bells as you cross checkpoints - A passport that earns a stamp for every completed or partial journey - A conductor's log on arrival - Audio keeps running while your phone is locked β€” SESSION LENGTHS β€” 25 minutes for deep work. 45 for a study block. 90 for writing. Four hours for a full overnight. For writers, students, makers, and anyone who has wanted their focus time to feel like something other than a stopwatch. β€” MEMBERSHIP β€” Start with a 7-day free trial of Wagon-Lit Annual ($34.99/year). Monthly ($6.99/month) and Lifetime ($79.99) also available. Cancel anytime in App Store settings. The doors are closing. Step aboard. URLs - Support URL: https://couchette.app/support - Marketing URL: https://couchette.app - Privacy Policy URL: https://couchette.app/privacy

Screenshots

Flow4 screens
Couchette4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Flow at none against Couchette's 3. On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Couchette sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Flow asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Flow ships an update every 8 days, Couchette every 9 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 5 level
Flow versus Couchette: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFlowCouchette
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 8 days β€” betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.616.1 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size53 MB56 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRhys NackmanCezar Pauna

In-app purchases

None

Flow

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Couchette

Subscriptions2
  • Wagon-Lit Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Wagon-Lit Annual7 Days trial$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Wagon-Lit Lifetime$79.99

Questions

Is Flow free?
Flow is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Couchette free?
Couchette is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Flow or Couchette have ads?
Neither Flow nor Couchette shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Flow or Couchette?
Flow ships an update every 8 days, and Couchette every 9 days. Most recently, Flow was updated on October 24, 2026 and Couchette on October 24, 2026.

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