Comparison

Orient vs DeskTabby

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

Head to head
About

Orient

This app guides users toward a healthier phone relationship through behavioral psychology and ACT principles. It offers interactive tools to interrupt unhealthy habits and build momentum towards personal goals, rather than just blocking apps.

Highlights
  • Interactive 'Stop Distraction' sequence
  • Build momentum with streaks
  • Cultivate self-awareness
  • Enhance impulse control
  • App blocking functionality
Features
Read full description

Orient helps you build a healthier relationship with your phone using behavioral psychology and ACT. Instead of relying on willpower or merely app blocking, you’ll learn to interrupt unhealthy habits and make choices that align with what matters most to you. What you get: - Interactive "Stop Distraction" sequence based on ACT (acceptance and commitment training) to help you eliminate distraction and go toward what truly matters to you. - Streaks that help you build momentum - App blocking that helps you cultivate self awareness & impulse control *All features described above require a subscription.* Terms of Use: https://theiliumgroup.net/terms Privacy Policy: https://theiliumgroup.net/privacy

About

DeskTabby

This app uses a charming virtual cat to help you stay focused using the Pomodoro technique. It offers a gentle, non-judgmental approach to productivity, rewarding your progress with in-game growth and customization options. Enjoy offline functionality and privacy-focused features.

Highlights
  • Pomodoro focus sessions
  • Live Activity on Dynamic Island and Lock Screen
  • Cat growth and customization
  • Offline functionality
  • Daily goals and streaks
  • Optional cosmetic in-app purchases
Read full description

Make a little time for one thing, with a cat beside you. DeskTabby keeps you company while you read, study, write, or work on something of your own. · Meet your cat: Bring it home, then start when ready. You can also choose a one-minute trial. Naming your cat and choosing a personality can wait. · One thing at a time: Choose a task or start a simple focus session. Pause and return when you need to. · Pick up again: Leave a short progress note or a next step, then find it when you come back. · A shared history: Look back on focused time, completed sessions, and the things you did together. Your cat grows with your focus. · A look of your own: Choose coat colors, patterns, and eyes. Try hats, glasses, scarves, little companions, and desk or sleep scenes together. · Optional gift packs: Some cosmetic choices are available as in-app purchases. They do not buy focus time or growth. · Private by default: No DeskTabby account, ads, analytics, or tracking. Task names and notes are stored locally and excluded from the optional iCloud progress backup. Local file backup and optional private iCloud progress backup are separate choices. Bring one thing. Leave a line. Come back whenever you are ready.

Screenshots

Orient4 screens
DeskTabby4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: DeskTabby at free with in-app purchases against Orient's subscription. DeskTabby also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.2). Orient's advantage is ratings volume (8 vs 2). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. Orient sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and DeskTabby sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Orient against 5.0 for DeskTabby. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Orient ships an update weekly, DeskTabby every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Orient versus DeskTabby: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOrientDeskTabby
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (8 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better2
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.217.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size116 MB130 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe ilium group LLC军 郭

Customer experience

Orient

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

DeskTabby

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Orient

Subscriptions2
  • Orient Monthly Plan7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Orient Yearly Plan7 Days trial$44.991 Year
9 purchases

DeskTabby

One-time9
  • Eyewear Pack$3.99
  • Headwear Pack$3.99
  • Patterns Pack$3.99
Show 6 more
  • Neckwear Pack$3.99
  • Sleep Scene Pack$3.99
  • Desk Scene Pack$3.99
  • Pastel Coat Pack$5.99
  • Sidekicks Pack$5.99
  • Everything, Forever$24.99

Questions

Is Orient free?
Orient is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DeskTabby free?
DeskTabby is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Orient or DeskTabby?
Orient and DeskTabby are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 8 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do Orient or DeskTabby have ads?
Neither Orient nor DeskTabby shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Orient or DeskTabby?
Orient ships an update weekly, and DeskTabby every 5 days. Most recently, Orient was updated on November 5, 2026 and DeskTabby on October 31, 2026.

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