Anchor vs FlipTick
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Anchor
This app enforces focus by blocking distracting applications at the system level, eliminating willpower reliance. It offers various focus modes, ambient soundscapes, and progress tracking to help users build better habits. Optional cloud sync ensures data privacy.
- System-level app blocking
- Multiple focus modes (Pomodoro, Deep Work)
- Ambient soundscapes
- Progress tracking and analytics
- Task and project management
- Dynamic Island and Lock Screen integration
- Achievements and streaks
Read full descriptionHide full description
Anchor blocks your distracting apps during focus sessions. Not a reminder. Not a nudge. Actually blocked. Most focus apps send a notification hoping you'll resist the urge to scroll. That doesn't work — especially when your brain craves dopamine. Anchor uses Apple's Screen Time API to lock apps at the system level. Try to open Instagram during a session? It won't open. No willpower required. FOCUS MODES Pomodoro: 25 min work, 5 min break with auto-cycling Deep Work: 45-90 min uninterrupted focus Creative Flow: Flexible timing for creative tasks Custom: Set your own duration and breaks REAL APP BLOCKING Select which apps to block during sessions System-level blocking via Apple Family Controls Animated shield screen when you try to open blocked apps No "Ignore Limit" button — apps are genuinely locked DYNAMIC ISLAND & LOCK SCREEN Animated progress ring on your Dynamic Island Timer visible on your lock screen without unlocking Home screen widgets for quick session starts Siri Shortcuts: "Hey Siri, start a focus session" AMBIENT SOUNDSCAPES Rain, ocean, forest, cafe, fireplace, white noise, or silence Mix with your own music or listen standalone TRACK YOUR PROGRESS Focus Score (0-100) based on consistency and completion Weekly and monthly reports with focus charts Heat map calendar showing your focus history Session reflections with mood tracking Streaks with Streak Shield protection (skip one day without breaking) ACHIEVEMENTS Unlock badges as you build your focus habit Track milestones and celebrate progress Apple Health sync writes Mindful Minutes automatically TASKS & PROJECTS Built-in task management for focus sessions Organize tasks into projects Track what you accomplished each session BUILT FOR PRIVACY No ads. No tracking. No data collection. Your data stays on your device Optional cloud sync with end-to-end encryption Built by a solo developer from Finland Free to download with all core features. Pro unlocks unlimited history, all soundscapes, advanced analytics, app blocking, and more. Monthly: €4.99/month (7-day free trial) Yearly: €39.99/year (save 33%, 7-day free trial) Lifetime: €79.99 (one-time purchase) Terms of Use: https://anchorfocusapp.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://anchorfocusapp.com/privacy
FlipTick
Read full descriptionHide full description
Prop up your phone and it becomes a giant flip clock that keeps time while you study. Plan your day in time blocks, tap Start, and let FlipTick run every focus session on a clock you can read from across the room. A FOCUS TIMER YOU CAN SEE FROM ANYWHERE • Full-screen flip clock digits that flip in real time, not a tiny number in the corner • On iPad the clock fills the whole screen, upright or in landscape • Countdown, stopwatch or Pomodoro: set focus and break rounds and FlipTick switches between them for you • Turn your phone sideways and the clock turns with it • Brightness control, auto-dim and an optional glow keep it easy on your eyes and your battery BLOCK DISTRACTING APPS WHILE YOU FOCUS • Pick the apps, categories and websites that pull you away, just once • They lock when a session starts and open again the moment it ends • Open one mid-session and a calm "Stay with it" screen shows your time left • Pomodoro breaks open them again, and each summary counts the distractions you skipped • Built on Apple's Screen Time, so your list stays private. One list is free; Pro adds more lists and Strict mode. Needs iOS 16 or later PLAN YOUR DAY IN TIME BLOCKS • Give every task a time, a length and a Start button • Add subtasks, notes, alerts and repeats • Finish a focus block and it ticks itself off in your plan • Keep your streak going as finished tasks fill in your calendar, day after day SEE WHERE YOUR HOURS GO • Day, week, month and year reports, split by activity • Your peak focus hours, plus average and longest sessions • A daily focus goal, with your progress always in view • Track Study, Deep Work, Reading, Exercise and Meditation, or add your own activities STAY ON TRACK OUTSIDE THE APP • Live Activities on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island • A floating timer (Picture in Picture) that stays on top of other apps while a session runs • 10 Home Screen widgets, including a flip clock, calendars and world clocks A DESK CLOCK WORTH LOOKING AT • Use FlipTick as a desk or bedside clock between sessions • Show the time where you are or in cities around the world • 11 clock faces, from Flip, Nixie and LED to Station and Stopwatch, with 7 flip-panel finishes and your own digit and accent colors • Ambient sounds for focus: rain, brown noise, campfire, sea, thunder, morning, a pendulum, a pocket watch and a ticking clock MADE FOR THE WAY YOU WORK FlipTick is built for students preparing for exams, writers, developers, designers and anyone who does their best work in focused sprints. A short setup shapes your session lengths and reminders around the hours you focus best. And a big, always-visible clock makes a simple visual timer for anyone with ADHD or anyone who loses track of time. FREE TO START, PRO WHEN YOU WANT MORE FlipTick is free to use, with no account: every day, 4 focus sessions of up to 25 minutes or one long session of up to 60 minutes, plus the Flip, Minimal and Precision clocks, the day planner, widgets, Live Activities and the floating timer, and a week of history. FlipTick Pro lifts the limits and unlocks every clock face, flip color and ambient sound, repeating tasks and your full history and reports. FlipTick speaks 15 languages: English, Español, Français, Deutsch, Italiano, Português, Русский, 日本語, 한국어, 中文, हिन्दी, Türkçe, Nederlands, Polski and Bahasa Indonesia. FlipTick Pro is an optional auto-renewing subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple Account when you confirm the purchase. It renews automatically unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel it in your Apple Account settings. Terms of Use: https://ember-focus.jabbarsales.xyz/terms Privacy Policy: https://ember-focus.jabbarsales.xyz/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Anchor at every 4 days against FlipTick's fortnightly. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Anchor sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and FlipTick sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Anchor ships an update every 4 days, FlipTick fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Anchor | FlipTick |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days — better | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 62 MB | 67 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Lassi Kotamaki | ABUZAR MUNIR |
In-app purchases
Anchor
- Anchor Pro Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
- Anchor Pro Yearly7 Days trial$24.991 Year
- Anchor Pro Lifetime$69.99
FlipTick
- Ember Pro Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
- Ember Pro Lifetime$29.99









