Comparison

Bonsai vs Sylva

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

Sylva

Features
Read full description

Sylva turns your focus time into something you can see grow. Set a timer — 15, 25, 45, 60 minutes, or any custom length — and start your session. Stay focused and off your phone, and your tree grows alongside you. Leave the app before time is up, and the tree doesn't make it. Simple as that. Every completed session becomes a tree in your own personal forest. Over time, you'll build a collection that reflects the real focus you've put in — not points, not streaks for the sake of streaks, just a quiet record of the time you made for yourself. FEATURES - Pomodoro-style focus timer with flexible durations - A growing tree that visually reflects your progress in real time - Your own forest — every session saved, successes and misses alike - Weekly stats: total focus time, current streak, longest streak, success rate - Clean, calm interface designed to stay out of your way - Available in English and Turkish, matching your device language automatically Sylva doesn't track your location, doesn't require an account, and doesn't need permissions it doesn't use. Your focus data stays on your device. Whether you're studying, working, or just trying to put your phone down for a while, Sylva gives you a simple reason to stay present — one tree at a time. Focus. Grow.

Screenshots

Bonsai4 screens
Sylva4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sylva at none against Bonsai's 3. Bonsai's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. Sylva asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Bonsai versus Sylva: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBonsaiSylva
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.215.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size83 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDima IvashchukElvan nal

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Bonsai

Subscriptions2
  • Bonsai Premium$4.991 Month
  • Bonsai Premium yearly$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Bonsai Lifetime$69.99
None

Sylva

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bonsai free?
Bonsai is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Sylva free?
Sylva is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Bonsai or Sylva have ads?
Sylva shows ads; Bonsai does not.
Which is updated more often, Bonsai or Sylva?
Bonsai ships an update every 2 days, and Sylva every 2 weeks. Most recently, Bonsai was updated on November 5, 2026 and Sylva on October 31, 2026.

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