Comparison

FocusThree vs Simple Project Manager

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

Head to head
About

FocusThree

This minimalist productivity app helps you reduce overwhelm and finish tasks by focusing on only three active items at a time. It offers a simple system to add tasks, move them to a focus list, and complete them to build momentum.

Highlights
  • Focus on three active tasks
  • Minimalist design
  • Simple task backlog
  • Build productivity momentum
  • Distraction-free interface
  • Organize work and personal tasks
Features
Read full description

FocusThree is a minimalist productivity app and simple to-do list designed to help you focus, reduce overwhelm, and actually finish what you start. Most task manager apps become another thing to manage. FocusThree fixes that. Instead of juggling endless lists, priorities, tags, and complicated systems, FocusThree helps you focus on just three tasks at a time so you can make real progress without overthinking. Simple system. Clear mind. Done. → How FocusThree Works FocusThree uses a simple productivity system built around clarity and focus. Add tasks to your backlog to-do list Move three tasks into your Focus list Complete them and keep your momentum going No complicated setup. No productivity rabbit holes. Just a simple task manager designed for focus. → Why FocusThree Works Most productivity apps try to do everything. FocusThree is different. By limiting your active tasks to three, you avoid overwhelm and stay focused on what actually matters. FocusThree helps you: • Stop feeling overwhelmed by a huge to-do list • Focus on the most important tasks • Finish work faster without multitasking • Build daily productivity momentum • Keep your task system simple and sustainable If you've ever… • Spent more time organizing tasks than doing them • Felt overwhelmed by a never-ending to-do list • Jumped between tasks without finishing anything • Tried multiple productivity systems that didn’t stick • Felt busy but not productive FocusThree was built for you. → A Minimalist Productivity System FocusThree is designed to be: • Simple – no complex setup • Minimal – no overwhelming features • Fast – lightweight and distraction-free • Focused – prioritize what actually matters This is productivity without the clutter. → Perfect For FocusThree works great for: • Professionals managing daily work tasks • Students organizing assignments and studying • Entrepreneurs building projects • Creators managing ideas and priorities • Anyone who wants a simple to-do list and task manager FocusThree is a minimalist task manager and productivity app designed to help you focus on what matters most. Because productivity shouldn’t feel like a second job. Focus on three. Finish what matters. Privacy Policy: https://focusthree.io/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://focusthree.io/terms

About

Simple Project Manager

This app helps you organize and complete your ideas by turning them into satisfying checklists. It offers a clean, distraction-free design with features like progress rings, notes, and simple grouping. Collaboration and sharing are also supported.

Highlights
  • Projects as checklists
  • Live progress rings
  • Notes on ideas
  • Simple grouping
  • Share and collaborate
  • Distraction-free design
Features
Read full description

You've always got ideas. Simple Project Manager is the easiest — and best-looking — way to actually finish them. Every project is a clean checklist you can check off, reorder, and watch fill toward 100%. Add notes, group things your way, and keep it all calm and clutter-free. - Projects as satisfying checklists - A live progress ring on every one - Notes on every idea - Simple grouping to stay organized - Share and collaborate with others - A genuinely beautiful, distraction-free design Upgrade to Big Idea to unlock every theme, unlimited projects, custom app icons, and sync across all your devices. Turn your ideas into done. Become the Idea Guy (or Girl)! Simple Project Manager Big Idea While Simple Project Manager is free to use, you can upgrade to Big Idea to unlock the full suite of project management tools. Subscribe to monthly, annual, or purchase a lifetime license. Subscriptions will auto-renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least a day before each renewal date. You can manage your subscription and turn off auto-renew in Apple account settings. Terms of Use: https://blackforestcompany.com/tc-idea-pal/ Privacy Policy: https://blackforestcompany.com/privacy-policy-idea-pal/

Screenshots

FocusThree4 screens
Simple Project Manager4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: FocusThree at every 5 days against Simple Project Manager's every 3 months. FocusThree also leads on monetization model (free vs freemium) and ratings volume (6 vs 2). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. FocusThree sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month and Simple Project Manager sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for FocusThree against 5.0 for Simple Project Manager. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FocusThree ships an update every 5 days, Simple Project Manager every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
FocusThree versus Simple Project Manager: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocusThreeSimple Project Manager
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (6 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIan KlosowiczBlackforest LLC

Customer experience

FocusThree

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Simple Project Manager

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

FocusThree

Subscriptions1
  • FocusThree Pro$2.991 Month
3 purchases

Simple Project Manager

Subscriptions2
  • Big Idea - Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Big Idea - Annual$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Big Idea - Lifetime$24.99

Questions

Is FocusThree free?
FocusThree is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Simple Project Manager free?
Simple Project Manager is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FocusThree or Simple Project Manager?
FocusThree and Simple Project Manager are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 6 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do FocusThree or Simple Project Manager have ads?
Neither FocusThree nor Simple Project Manager shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FocusThree or Simple Project Manager?
FocusThree ships an update every 5 days, and Simple Project Manager every 3 months. Most recently, FocusThree was updated on October 28, 2026 and Simple Project Manager on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons