# Focustown vs Chess Shield

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Focustown at 77% against Chess Shield's 33%. Focustown also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.5) and update cadence (daily vs every 9 days). Chess Shield's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Focustown sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Chess Shield sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Focustown holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Focustown has 9.1K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Focustown's written reviews are positive against 33% of Chess Shield's.

Focustown ships an update daily, Chess Shield every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Focustown | Chess Shield |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (9.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focustown-pomodoro-timer/id6758457625/reviews)** | [3.5 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-shield/id6772290132/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **9.1K** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | **77.0% of reviews** | 33.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Daily** | Every 9 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | **#198** | — |
| Size | 1.1 GB | 54 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.2 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Second Round Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1818164945) | [Alejandro Trevino Saldana](https://appshunter.io/developer/6772290134) |

## What reviewers say

### Focustown

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focustown-pomodoro-timer/id6758457625)

**Currently charting:** #198 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

This app offers a virtual co-working space with cozy, low-poly environments where users can study or work alongside others globally. It features customizable study rooms, a focus timer, and a system for earning in-app currency to decorate avatars. It aims to combat loneliness and boost productivity through shared focus sessions.

**Highlights:** Cozy study environments (cafe, library), Study with real people globally, Earn coins and customize avatar, Study with friends, Built-in focus timer

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Foucstown Pro Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Foucstown Pro Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Foucstown Pro Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Foucstown Pro Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Foucstown Pro Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Starter Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pocketful Golden Beans | $0.99 | one-time |
| Sack of Golden Beans | $2.99 | one-time |
| Bucket of Golden Beans | $9.99 | one-time |
| Bucket of Golden Beans | $19.99 | one-time |


### Chess Shield

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-shield/id6772290132)

This app helps chess players improve by blocking distracting apps and replacing them with chess puzzles. Solve puzzles to advance your ELO and identify tactical weaknesses. It offers a free tier with basic features and a Pro version for advanced tactics and unlimited app blocking.

**Highlights:** Blocks distracting apps, Replaces app opens with chess puzzles, Puzzles matched to ELO, Tracks ELO in real-time, Tactical insights, Unlimited puzzles (Free), Block multiple apps (Pro)

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Chess Shield Pro | $4.99 | per month |
| Chess Shield Pro | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Focustown free?

Focustown is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Chess Shield free?

Chess Shield is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Focustown or Chess Shield?

Focustown is rated higher. Focustown averages 4.8 out of 5 from 9.1K ratings, while Chess Shield averages 3.5 from 4 ratings.

### Do Focustown or Chess Shield have ads?

Focustown shows ads; Chess Shield does not.

### Which is updated more often, Focustown or Chess Shield?

Focustown ships an update daily, and Chess Shield every 9 days. Most recently, Focustown was updated on November 4, 2026 and Chess Shield on October 31, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*