Kosshi Outliner vs Focus Express
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Kosshi Outliner
This native outliner app allows you to organize thoughts with a hierarchical structure, zoom into specific sections, and format text using Markdown. It supports images, sketches, internal links, and reminders, with seamless iCloud sync across Apple devices.
- Hierarchical outlining with indentation
- Zoom into specific rows
- Markdown formatting
- Image and file embedding
- Apple Pencil sketches
- Internal linking
- Reminders and calendar sync
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Kosshi is a fast, native outliner. Simple and smooth on large outlines. Available on Mac, iPhone, and iPad — one purchase covers all three. Outliner Hit Tab to indent and build a hierarchy. Collapse what you don't need, drag to move things around. Zoom In / Zoom Out Zoom into any row and only its contents are shown. Breadcrumbs tell you where you are, and you can jump home anytime. Markdown Bold, italic, highlight, links, checkboxes, code blocks, and LaTeX math all render right where you type. Formatting markers only appear while editing — move away and they're gone. Images & Files Add images by pasting or dragging, and resize however you want. PDFs and videos show as inline previews too. Apple Pencil Sketches Draw sketches with Apple Pencil on iPad. They sync to Mac and iPhone through iCloud. Search Cmd+F to search your whole outline. Matches get highlighted. Replace works too. Dark Mode Switch between light and dark themes. Automatically follows your system setting. Tags Use #tags to categorize and @tags for dates or status. Filter from the sidebar. Internal Links Type [[ to search and link to another row. Build a web of connected outlines. Bookmarks Press Cmd+D to bookmark a row. Bookmarks appear at the top of the sidebar. Prose Mode Switch a row to Prose Mode for long-form writing. Bullets disappear and children stay expanded. Reminders & Calendar Any @tag with a date syncs to Apple Reminders or Calendar. Use @todo(3/15), @meeting(every monday 10:00), and so on. Keyboard Shortcuts Collapse, move, indent — all without reaching for the mouse. Export Export as Markdown, OPML, or plain text. Your data is never locked in. Auto Backup Restore past outlines from daily backups. Feel free to delete outlines you no longer need. iCloud Sync When iCloud is available, your outlines sync across Apple devices via CloudKit. Data is stored in your iCloud account, and the developer cannot access its contents. Pay Once Built natively for speed. Launches quickly and works offline. One-time purchase covers Mac, iPhone, and iPad — no subscription, no account required. A 7-day free trial is available. Feedback Feature requests and bug reports are always welcome. Reach us via the contact form at https://kosshi.app/contact or on X at @shirokumamake.
Focus Express
This app transforms study or work sessions into a virtual subway journey. Track your focus time by traveling along real subway lines, earning a personalized ticket upon completion. It's designed for those seeking a more engaging and rewarding way to build focus habits.
- Real subway line focus timer
- Customizable route selection
- Immersive subway experience
- Personalized focus tickets
- Transit history tracking
- Arrival notifications
- Save and share tickets
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Focus Express – Travel on a real subway line as long as you stay focused. When you study, work, or simply want to lock in without distractions, Focus Express turns your focus time into a journey along real subway lines. Set your tasks and target focus time, and your Focus Express train will depart. As you stop at each station on the way to your destination, every minute you spend focusing becomes your travel time. ■ How to Use 1. Enter your task and estimated time for today. 2. Choose your preferred country, subway line, starting station, and arrival station. 3. Once the Focus Express departs, your focus time ticks away as you pass through each station one by one. 4. When you reach the final station, your personalized Focus Ticket is issued. ■ Key Features - Real Subway Line-Based Focus Timer: Travel along real subway networks including Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei, New York, London, and more. - Custom Route Selection: Pick your country, line, and stations manually, or use quick select to set your desired focus time in seconds. - Immersive Subway Experience: Real train vibes with departure announcements, station stops, and arrival alerts. - Personalized Focus Ticket: Get a unique travel record card upon completing each session. - Transit History: View all your completed focus sessions with total trips and cumulative focus time at a glance. - Arrival Notifications: Never miss the moment your focus session ends. - Save & Share: Download ticket images to your device and share them with friends. ■ Recommended For - Anyone who wants to track time needed for study, work, reading, or deep focus. - Anyone who finds standard Pomodoro timers boring. - Anyone who wants to build a focus habit in a fun, travel-like way. - Anyone who wants to build momentum and feel a sense of achievement by accumulating focus records. Turn today's focus into an unforgettable journey with Focus Express.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Focus Express at none against Kosshi Outliner's 1. Focus Express also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). Kosshi Outliner's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment 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. Kosshi Outliner sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Focus Express asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | Kosshi Outliner | Focus Express |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days | — |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free — better | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 30 MB | 33 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Junichi Sato | JAEMIN LEE |
Customer experience
Kosshi Outliner
Focus Express
In-app purchases
Kosshi Outliner
- Kosshi Outliner$24.99
Focus Express
No in-app purchases









