# Bonsai vs Sylva

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.

Both are free to download. Bonsai sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Sylva asks for nothing beyond the download.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bonsai | Sylva |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bonsai-focus-and-study-timer/id6759262068/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Size | 83 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.2 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Dima Ivashchuk](https://appshunter.io/developer/1824969229) | [Elvan nal](https://appshunter.io/developer/6792692903) |

## What reviewers say

### Bonsai

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bonsai-focus-and-study-timer/id6759262068)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bonsai Premium | $4.99 | per month |
| Bonsai Premium yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Bonsai Lifetime | $69.99 | one-time |


### Sylva

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sylva-focus-and-pomodoro/id6802259538)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*