# the boring app. vs CineFocus

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: the boring app. at none against CineFocus's 4. CineFocus's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CineFocus sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. the boring app. asks for nothing beyond the download.

the boring app. ships an update every 2 months, CineFocus every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | the boring app. | CineFocus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-boring-app/id6759265800/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1** | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 3 MB | 68 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [christopher woods](https://appshunter.io/developer/1842645121) | [Akarys Turganbekuly](https://appshunter.io/developer/1626436372) |

## What reviewers say

### the boring app.

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-boring-app/id6759265800)

This app is designed to break the habit of constantly checking your phone. It offers no reward each time you use it, weakening the reflex with every interaction. Enjoy a distraction-free experience with no accounts or data harvesting.

**Highlights:** Breaks reward loop, Weakens checking reflex, No accounts required, No data harvesting, Distraction-free

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### CineFocus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cinefocus-deep-focus-timer/id6761705966)

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Annual | $17.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Plan | $19.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Plan | $34.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is the boring app. free?

the boring app. is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is CineFocus free?

CineFocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do the boring app. or CineFocus have ads?

Neither the boring app. nor CineFocus shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, the boring app. or CineFocus?

the boring app. ships an update every 2 months, and CineFocus every 3 days. Most recently, the boring app. was updated on October 16, 2026 and CineFocus on October 8, 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.*