Comparison

Bonsai vs Vesper

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

Head to head
About

Bonsai

This app uses a unique approach to focus by growing virtual bonsai trees during your work or study sessions. If you leave the app, your tree wilts, encouraging sustained concentration. Completed sessions add unique trees to your personal digital garden.

Highlights
  • Virtual bonsai tree growth during focus sessions
  • Tree wilts if app is exited, encouraging focus
  • Collect unique, procedurally generated bonsai trees
  • Track focus streaks and statistics
  • Unlock cosmetic items for bonsai customization
  • Ambient background sounds for focus
  • Optional premium features via subscription or purchase
Features
Read full description

A mindful focus timer that turns your concentration into beautiful, one-of-a-kind bonsai trees. Set a timer. Stay focused. Watch a bonsai grow from seed to full bloom right on your screen — but leave the app, and it wilts. Every completed session adds a unique, procedurally generated tree to your personal garden. No two bonsai are ever the same. HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose your duration — 15, 25, 45, 60 minutes or custom duration 2. Stay focused — your bonsai grows in real time as you concentrate 3. Don't leave — if you exit the app, you get 10 seconds of grace before your tree dies 4. Collect your tree — completed sessions are saved to your garden forever THE GARDEN Every tree you grow is yours to keep. Browse your collection in a carousel or grid, tap to see the details, and share your favorites as beautiful image cards. Failed sessions show wilted trees — a gentle reminder to stay present next time. STREAKS & STATS Track your daily focus streak, total sessions, and time spent in flow. See your progress compound over time. UNLOCK COSMETICS Hit milestones to unlock new leaf palettes, pot styles, trunk textures, bark types, and ambient particle effects — over 50 collectible items across 9 categories. Sakura leaves, hexagonal pots, firefly particles, and more. AMBIENT SOUNDS Focus with rain, fireplace, or white noise in the background. Seamless crossfade looping means no jarring gaps. BUILT FOR YOUR ATTENTION - No ads. Ever. - No account required - All data stays on your device - Dark mode support - Haptic feedback at milestones - Screen stays awake during sessions - One pause allowed per session (2 min max) PREMIUM (optional) Unlock everything with a subscription or one-time purchase: - Unlimited garden (free: 10 trees) - Custom session durations - Advanced statistics — weekly charts, monthly heatmap, session history - Premium ambient sounds — brown noise, river - Exclusive high-tier cosmetics - Session tags for organizing your focus - Deep Focus mode - Compost wilted trees Start your 7-day free trial of Premium when you download. Focus Bonsai is built for students, knowledge workers, and anyone who wants to spend less time distracted and more time in flow. Your garden is waiting. --- Terms of Use: https://usebonsai.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://usebonsai.app/privacy

About

Vesper

This app helps users, particularly women, reduce mindless scrolling and regain calm with their phones. It offers gentle pauses before opening distracting apps and allows for scheduled quiet windows to promote focus and intentional usage.

Highlights
  • Screen time protection for distracting apps
  • Morning and Night Quiet Windows
  • Earn 'Glow' for keeping promises
  • Two-minute breathing ritual
  • Intentional app access
  • Calm reward moments
Features
Read full description

Vesper helps you turn the urge to scroll into a reason to move. Choose the distracting apps you want to protect with Apple Screen Time. When you reach for them, Vesper creates a calm pause and guides you toward a verified live walk before granting a bounded opening. When the opening ends, your selected apps return to protection automatically. See your verified daily steps and walking goal on Home, start a live walking session, and follow your progress as you move. If walking is not available, Box Breathing offers a limited fallback. Vesper is designed for women who want less automatic scrolling, more movement, and a softer way to protect their attention—without shame, punishment, or productivity pressure. Features: • Screen Time protection for selected distracting apps • Verified live walking for bounded intentional access • Daily iOS Health step progress and walking goals • Clear protection status and next actions on Home • Automatic re-protection after each opening • Limited Box Breathing fallback • Calm celebrations and a warm star companion Your attention belongs to you. Stop scrolling. Step into her. Vesper offers free onboarding. Additional features require a lifetime purchase or subscription. Terms of use: https://xcompass.ai/terms-of-service

Screenshots

Bonsai4 screens
Vesper4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Bonsai at every 2 days against Vesper's every 2 weeks. On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Bonsai sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Vesper sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. 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 Bonsai against 5.0 for Vesper. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bonsai ships an update every 2 days, Vesper every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Bonsai versus Vesper: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBonsaiVesper
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings22
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.215.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size83 MB65 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDima IvashchukxCompass, LLC

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Bonsai

Subscriptions2
  • Bonsai Premium$4.991 Month
  • Bonsai Premium yearly$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Bonsai Lifetime$69.99
10 purchases

Vesper

Subscriptions8
  • Vesper Weekly3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Vesper Weekly3 Days trial$8.997 Days
  • Vesper Weekly3 Days trial$10.997 Days
Show 5 more
  • Vesper Weekly$12.997 Days
  • Vesper Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Vesper Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Vesper Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Vesper Yearly7 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time2
  • Vesper Lifetime$49.99
  • Believer$99.99

Questions

Is Bonsai free?
Bonsai is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Vesper free?
Vesper is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Bonsai or Vesper?
Bonsai and Vesper are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do Bonsai or Vesper have ads?
Neither Bonsai nor Vesper shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bonsai or Vesper?
Bonsai ships an update every 2 days, and Vesper every 2 weeks. Most recently, Bonsai was updated on November 5, 2026 and Vesper on October 31, 2026.

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