Comparison

Trace vs Refocus

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

Head to head
About

Trace

Features
Read full description

Ever listen to a podcast, love what someone says but then just forget it? Trace enables you to remember the moments that matter. Capture exact quotes from podcasts, easily send them to your favourite notes app. Add a timestamp or use a screenshot to save what you hear. Trace finds the moment and turns it into a clean quote you can keep. How it works: 1. Add a podcast and timestamp 2. Or fill details from a screenshot 3. Get the quote from that moment Use Trace to: • Save quotes without rewinding • Copy highlights into your notes • Share moments as quote cards • Build a personal library of ideas

About

Refocus

Features
Read full description

Focus is not just about willpower. It can be designed. Refocus is a focus timer created with inspiration from scientific research on attention, breaks, and cognitive load. Today, our minds are constantly exposed to stimulation from smartphones, social media, notifications, videos, and endless streams of short information. When your mind is still filled with that noise, simply starting a traditional focus timer may not be enough to help you switch into a focused state. Refocus begins by preparing the state before focus. First, you take a short break to let your mind cool down and settle. Before the break, you can write down one small thing you want to do afterward. This helps you stop holding the next task in your head while resting, and makes it easier to return to work smoothly when the break ends. Refocus is not just about dividing time. It is about resting, clearing your mind, remembering what comes next, and returning to focus. Main features: ・A focus timer designed with scientific insights in mind ・A unique workflow that starts with a break ・A simple note feature to write down what you will do after the break ・A smooth flow that helps you return to focus after resting ・A simple cycle of focus and break sessions ・Calming animations and a minimal interface Recommended for people who: ・Take time to get into focus ・Feel mentally scattered after using smartphones or social media ・Forget what they were going to do after taking a break ・Want to reset their mind before starting work ・Prefer a simple and calm timer app ・Want to enter focus naturally, without forcing it Rest first. Clear your mind. Leave your next task behind. Then return to focus. Refocus is a timer designed to help create a state where focus can happen more naturally.

Screenshots

Trace4 screens
Refocus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Refocus at none against Trace's 2. Refocus also leads on ads (none vs shown). Trace's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Trace sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Refocus asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Trace ships an update every 2 days, Refocus every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 2 level
Trace versus Refocus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTraceRefocus
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB51 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPeter HealyHiroki Nishikawa

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Trace

Subscriptions2
  • Trace Plus Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Trace Plus Annual$89.991 Year
None

Refocus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Trace free?
Trace is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Trace or Refocus have ads?
Trace shows ads; Refocus does not.
Which is updated more often, Trace or Refocus?
Trace ships an update every 2 days, and Refocus every 3 weeks. Most recently, Trace was updated on October 14, 2026 and Refocus on October 31, 2026.

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