FocusCat vs HandsOff
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
FocusCat
Enhance your productivity with a charming feline companion. This app uses the Pomodoro Technique with cute kitten animations that react to your focus sessions, making work and study more enjoyable and less stressful. Track your progress with detailed statistics in a beautifully designed, intuitive interface.
- Pomodoro Technique timer
- Cute kitten animations
- Focus progress statistics
- Simple and intuitive interface
- No registration required
- Cozy design
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A Pomodoro timer with a cat that keeps you company while you study or work. FocusCat is a simple Pomodoro timer: you press play, the kitten wakes up and moves along with your focus session. When the time is up, you both rest. WHY FOCUSCAT - Starts in one tap Open the app, press play, and your focus session begins. An account is optional, so you can try the timer before deciding anything. - Block the apps that pull you away Choose which apps to block during a session and FocusCat holds the line for you. No willpower needed to ignore a notification you never receive. The block lasts as long as the Pomodoro, then everything comes back on its own. - A cat for company The cat animation follows the timer. It is a gentle way to feel that the session is running, with no aggressive alarms and no guilt trips. - Study with friends in real time See who is in a session right now and let them see you. Studying alone is harder than studying next to someone, even when that someone is a name on a screen. Add friends and run your Pomodoro sessions together. - Earn XP for every session you finish Each completed block gives you XP and moves your level forward. Your progress comes from the time you actually focused, not from paying. - Your focus, your intervals Set the length of your focus block, your short break, and your long break. The classic Pomodoro is 25 and 5, but you can run 50 and 10 if that suits you better. - Categories that separate your work Create categories like University, Exam Prep, Work, or Reading, and see how much time went into each one. - Statistics that show the pattern Daily focus chart, study time per day, total time per category, session completion rate, focus vs break, and recent history. WHO IT IS FOR - Students preparing for exams who need a study timer they can trust - University students in the middle of a thesis, a paper, or finals - Study groups who want to focus together without being in the same room - Remote workers who reach the end of the day with no idea where the time went - Anyone who struggles with concentration and studies better in short blocks - Anyone who tried a productivity app before and quit because it was too much HOW THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE WORKS 1. Pick one task 2. Start the 25 minute Pomodoro timer 3. Work without switching tabs until the time is up 4. Take a 5 minute break 5. After four cycles, take a longer break The Pomodoro cycle is short on purpose. Starting is easier when you only have to hold out for 25 minutes, and the FocusCat kitten exists to make those 25 minutes less dry. Download FocusCat, open the Pomodoro timer, and turn your study time into a routine you can actually keep. ____________________________________ Subscription Information and Legal Terms Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your Account Settings after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/159KLO0Wz2Y6tor39p5OC5wzgTnxxN71FrvvkCuKtLp8/edit?usp=sharing Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
HandsOff
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Stop doomscrolling. Take back your attention. HandsOff helps you finally spend less time on your phone. Instead of relying on willpower, HandsOff makes you earn your screen time. Focus first. Scroll later. Put your phone face-down, earn coins while you stay focused, then use those coins only when you intentionally choose to unlock your favorite apps. Less scrolling. More living. ## WHY HANDSOFF? Unlike traditional app blockers, HandsOff doesn't simply lock your apps. It creates healthy friction. Every minute of focus becomes something valuable. Every unlock becomes a conscious decision instead of an impulse. That's how habits change. ## HOW IT WORKS Block the apps that steal your attention Instagram, TikTok, X, Reddit, YouTube—or any app you choose. Focus to earn coins Place your phone face-down or start a focus session manually. Every focused minute rewards you. Unlock intentionally Want Instagram for a few minutes? Spend the coins you've earned. Build lasting habits Complete daily goals, grow your streak, level up, unlock achievements, and reduce your screen time over time. ## FEATURES • Smart app blocking powered by Apple Screen Time • Automatic face-down focus detection • Custom schedules for work, study, bedtime, or weekends • Coin-based unlocking system • Daily goals that adapt to your progress • Streaks, XP, levels and achievements • Beautiful focus garden that grows with your consistency • Live Activities & Dynamic Island support • Mindful breathing before every unlock • Detailed focus statistics and progress tracking ## MONK MODE (PRO) Need absolute focus? Monk Mode is a true commitment. Once activated: • No early exit • No spending coins • No disabling protection • No uninstall workaround The only way out is to finish what you started. Perfect for exams, deep work, studying, reading, or your digital detox. ## YOUR PRIVACY COMES FIRST HandsOff uses Apple's Family Controls framework. Your selected apps, Screen Time information, and activity stay on your device. We never know what apps you use, what you do inside them, or collect your personal browsing data. ## HANDSOFF PRO Unlock powerful features including: • Monk Mode • Unlimited focus history • Future premium tools and improvements Subscriptions • Monthly — $4.99 • Annual — $29.99 (includes a 7-day free trial) • Lifetime — $59.99 (one-time purchase) Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before renewal. You can manage or cancel them anytime in your Apple ID settings. Privacy Policy: https://tryhandsoff.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://tryhandsoff.com/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: HandsOff at none against FocusCat's shown. On price, update cadence, 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. FocusCat sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and HandsOff sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
FocusCat ships an update every 5 days, HandsOff weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | FocusCat | HandsOff |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days — better | Weekly |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 16.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 66 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Forward Tecnologia | JUAN MANUEL GALLICCHIO ANTELO |
In-app purchases
FocusCat
- Monthly Plan1 Month trial$3.991 Month
- Annual Plan1 Month trial$34.991 Year
HandsOff
- Pro Monthly$3.991 Month
- Pro Annual7 Days trial$24.991 Year
- Pro Lifetime$49.99









