Comparison

alphafocus vs Stepwise Timer

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

Head to head
About

alphafocus

Features
Read full description

A beautifully minimal timer designed for focused work sessions. Pick your duration — 15m, 30m, 45m, 1hr, or custom — then choose to count up or count down. A smooth animated ring tracks your progress as you work. Tag each session with what you worked on, add details and location, then review everything in your session history. Features: - Count up or count down with animated progress ring - Preset durations (15m, 30m, 45m, 1hr) or set a custom time - Tag sessions with multiple labels - Add details and location notes - Review session history with today and total stats - Export your history as CSV - Dark and beige themes - No account required, works fully offline - Zero tracking, zero ads, zero data collection Built for people who want to track their time without the clutter. Open the app, pick your time, and start.

About

Stepwise Timer

Features
Read full description

Chain a few timed steps into a "sequence", press play, and Stepwise walks you through it — one step at a time. Each step counts down on its own. When it ends, the next one starts automatically with a sound and a spoken announcement of what's coming up. You never have to look at your phone mid-routine. ■ Made for · Morning routines: stretch, meditate, write down today's three things · Focus work: Pomodoro, with automatic repeat rounds · Workouts and stretching: one set after another, no stopwatch fiddling · Cooking and pour-over coffee: bloom, pour, brew · Winding down: breathe, stretch, lights out ■ What it does · Sequence timing: set a duration per step; auto-advance or wait for your confirmation · Spoken announcements: hear the next step's name, eyes closed · Adjust while running: skip, go back, restart a step, or add +1 minute · Repeat rounds: run the whole sequence a few more times automatically · Finish signal: end the last step with a chime or your own spoken message · Live Activity: see the countdown on the Lock Screen, pause or continue right there · Home Screen widget: start a specific sequence with one tap · Usage stats: a diary of every run, with a 7-day rhythm chart, a calendar and streaks · Folders: keep your sequences organized · Share: import via QR code, or export CSV as a backup · Design with AI: paste the prompt from our support page into your favorite AI, then import the CSV it creates · Fully offline: no account, no ads, no data collection ■ Free vs Premium The free version includes every feature above, with up to 5 sequences and the last 30 days of stats. Premium unlocks unlimited sequences and your full stats history (records are always kept — upgrading brings them all back). ■ Premium subscription · Monthly or yearly plan (price shown on the purchase screen) · First month free for new subscribers; billing starts automatically when the trial ends · Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the period ends · Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase · Manage or cancel anytime in Settings → Apple Account → Subscriptions · Terms of Use (EULA): https://jacobhung.com/stepwisetimer/privacy/ · Privacy Policy: https://jacobhung.com/stepwisetimer/privacy/

Screenshots

alphafocus4 screens
Stepwise Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: alphafocus at none against Stepwise Timer's 2. alphafocus also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 6 weeks). On price, ads, 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. Stepwise Timer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. alphafocus asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

alphafocus ships an update every 5 days, Stepwise Timer every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
alphafocus versus Stepwise Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteralphafocusStepwise Timer
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJAE HO YOONWei Chen Hung

In-app purchases

None

alphafocus

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Stepwise Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Stepwise Timer Premium1 Month trial$0.991 Month
  • Stepwise Timer Premium Yearly1 Month trial$6.991 Year

Questions

Is alphafocus free?
alphafocus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Stepwise Timer free?
Stepwise Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do alphafocus or Stepwise Timer have ads?
Neither alphafocus nor Stepwise Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, alphafocus or Stepwise Timer?
alphafocus ships an update every 5 days, and Stepwise Timer every 6 weeks. Most recently, alphafocus was updated on September 25, 2026 and Stepwise Timer on September 29, 2026.

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