Comparison

FocusCost vs Tempo

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

Head to head
About

FocusCost

Features
Read full description

FocusCost is a Pomodoro timer that reveals the hidden cost of interruptions. Most timer apps count the minutes you spend focused. FocusCost counts what you lose when you don't. Every time you leave the app during a focus session, FocusCost logs it as an interruption. It tracks how long you were away, how long it takes to recover, and shows you exactly how much deep work time you're giving up to distractions. HOW IT WORKS Set your focus duration, break length, and number of cycles. Start a session and the timer runs automatically through your focus-break loops. Leave the app during focus, and FocusCost catches it β€” logging the interruption and tracking your recovery time when you return. TWO TIMER STYLES Choose between a Circular Progress Ring that depletes as time passes, or a Flip Clock with smooth digit-by-digit animations inspired by classic mechanical clocks. Switch between styles anytime, even mid-session. FOCUS PROTECTION During a focus session, leaving the app is treated as breaking focus. When you return, a recovery overlay shows how long you were away, explains the cognitive cost of context switching, and lets you consciously resume. This intentional friction makes the cost of distraction visible. BUILT-IN BROWN NOISE Toggle on procedurally generated brown noise during focus periods to help you concentrate. A subtle tick-tock sound plays during breaks. Transition sounds and haptic feedback keep you aware of session changes without looking at the screen. ANALYTICS THAT MATTER See your productivity data across three time periods β€” Today, This Week, and All Time. β€’ Focus vs. Interruption ratio β€” how much of your session time was real deep work β€’ Context Switch trends β€” are your interruptions improving or getting worse? β€’ Recovery Cost β€” total time lost to getting back on track, expressed as lost Pomodoros β€’ Session Stats β€” completion rate, total cycles, and your longest focused session β€’ Weekly bar chart β€” daily focus time at a glance with streak indicators STREAK TRACKING Build a daily streak by completing at least one session per day. A color-coded progress ring tracks your streak toward a 30-day milestone. Stay consistent and watch your streak grow. SESSION HISTORY Review your last 20 sessions grouped by date. Expand any session to see detailed breakdowns β€” cycle progress, each individual interruption with its away and recovery times, and a focus quality score. FULLY CONFIGURABLE β€’ Focus duration: 5–120 minutes β€’ Break duration: 1–30 minutes β€’ Cycles: 1–10 per session β€’ Auto or manual transitions between focus and break β€’ Sound, vibration, and brown noise toggles β€’ Override silent mode option DESIGNED FOR FOCUS β€’ Clean, minimal interface with no clutter β€’ Dark mode support β€’ Portrait and landscape layouts β€’ VoiceOver accessible β€’ Screen stays awake during active sessions β€’ Zero third-party dependencies β€” your data stays on your device FocusCost doesn't just time your work. It shows you where your focus actually goes.

About

Tempo

Features
Read full description

Tempo is a native focus timer built for the Apple ecosystem. No accounts, no clutterβ€”just clear work and break intervals to help you stay on track. Focus with rhythm Move through focus sessions, short breaks, and long breaks with a clean design and a distraction-free interface. Tap the ring to start, pause, or resume. Ready-made presets Choose from proven focus systems: - Classic β€” the standard Pomodoro method (25/5) - 52/17 β€” longer blocks for deep work - Short β€” quick intervals for fast tasks - Create your own presets with custom durations, breaks, and auto-start options. Stay on track without opening the app Live Activity on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island (supported iPhones). The timer keeps running in the background and restores when you return. Feedback when it matters Notifications when each segment ends. Optional sound and haptic feedback when you complete a session or cycle. Built for Apple Native SwiftUI design for iPhone, iPad, and Mac (menu bar). Light and dark mode, accessibility support, and a consistent experience across your devices. Privacy first Your preferences and presets are stored locally on your device. No sign-up. No tracking. Download Tempo and find your work rhythm. https://tempo.tobiasruano.com/privacy/ https://tempo.tobiasruano.com/terms/

Screenshots

FocusCost4 screens
Tempo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Tempo at 17.0 against FocusCost's 26.2. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FocusCost ships an update weekly, Tempo every 9 days. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 5 level
FocusCost versus Tempo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocusCostTempo
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyWeekly β€” betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.217.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size22 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAmin Ur RehmanTobias Ruano

In-app purchases

None

FocusCost

No in-app purchases

None

Tempo

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FocusCost free?
FocusCost is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tempo free?
Tempo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do FocusCost or Tempo have ads?
Neither FocusCost nor Tempo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FocusCost or Tempo?
FocusCost ships an update weekly, and Tempo every 9 days. Most recently, FocusCost was updated on October 25, 2026 and Tempo on October 25, 2026.

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