# Focal vs Beacon

The clearest difference is update cadence: Beacon at every 2 days against Focal's every 4 days. Focal's advantage is ratings volume (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Focal sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Beacon sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Focal against 5.0 for Beacon. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Focal ships an update every 4 days, Beacon every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 8, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Focal | Beacon |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focal-focus-and-blocking/id6758582225/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beacon-adhd-reminders/id6784821903/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 54 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vista Wholesale Central LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1873775285) | [Waypoint Apps LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896156697) |

## What reviewers say

### Focal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focal-focus-and-blocking/id6758582225)

This app helps you regain focus by blocking distracting applications and websites during timed work sessions. It offers customizable timers, progress tracking, and quick start presets to enhance productivity for studying, writing, coding, and more.

**Highlights:** Customizable focus timers, Block distracting apps and websites, Progress tracking and streaks, Quick start presets, Fullscreen timer interface, Clean, distraction-free design

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Focal Pro | $4.99 | per month |
| Focal Pro | $34.99 | per year |


### Beacon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beacon-adhd-reminders/id6784821903)

This app helps individuals with ADHD manage tasks and time effectively. It breaks down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps and uses gentle reminders to keep users on track without causing overwhelm or guilt. It integrates with existing Apple Reminders and Calendar.

**Highlights:** One task at a time display, Visual countdown timers, Guilt-free task management, Task shrinking for easier starts, Task parking lot, Integration with Apple Reminders/Calendar, Smart capture and energy tags

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Beacon Pro (Monthly) | $2.99 | per month |
| Beacon Pro (Annual) | $19.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Focal free?

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

### Is Beacon free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Focal or Beacon?

Focal and Beacon are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do Focal or Beacon have ads?

Neither Focal nor Beacon shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Focal or Beacon?

Focal ships an update every 4 days, and Beacon every 2 days. Most recently, Focal was updated on October 8, 2026 and Beacon on October 8, 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.*