Comparison

FocusTasks vs Needle · Pomodoro Timer

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

Head to head
About

FocusTasks

Features
Read full description

FocusTasks combines a Pomodoro timer and a task manager into one app for building a daily focus habit. No account required. Works fully offline, with no ads and no tracking. Start a session in one tap from the home screen widget or your Apple Watch, and watch your streak grow. ■ Main Features • Pomodoro timer: work and break sessions switch automatically — durations are fully customizable • Task management: organize your day with "Today's Focus" and a backlog • Stats & streaks: daily, weekly and monthly focus time with a streak counter • Share your wins: post "6 pomodoros done today!" in one tap • Home screen widget: your next task and a start button, right on the home screen • Apple Watch: start, pause and complete tasks from your wrist • Notifications: get notified when a session ends, even in the background • Dark mode / available in 9 languages ■ Privacy First • No account. All data stays on your device • No ads, no analytics, nothing leaves your phone ■ Why "End by Time"? In FocusTasks, sessions always end when the timer runs out — even if the task isn't finished. This design uses the Zeigarnik effect: a psychological finding that people remember unfinished tasks better and are more motivated to resume them. By stopping mid-task when the timer ends, your work naturally stays "in progress", making it easier to pick up again later. It lowers the mental barrier to restarting and helps you build a sustainable study and work habit. ■ Great For • Building a study habit for school, exams or certifications • Staying on track while working from home • Anyone who never sticks with task management apps • People looking for a simple, privacy-friendly focus timer ■ Terms of Use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Needle · Pomodoro Timer

Features
Read full description

Needle is a calm, beautiful Pomodoro timer that helps you spend your time on what matters, one session at a time. Pick what you want to focus on, set the length, and start. When the time is up, take a real break. That's the whole method, proven for decades. FOCUS WITHOUT FRICTION • Set the length on a tape in the middle of the screen, then start in one tap • Focus Lock adds a few seconds of friction before you can give up early — or, set to Locked, refuses to let you stop until the block ends • Tag every session: Work, Study, Code, anything you like • A real alarm at the end of a session that breaks through silent mode and Focus SOUND AND SCENES TO WORK TO • A full-screen focus player opens as your session starts • Quran recitations, free for everyone: choose from up to 14 reciters and listen to all 114 surahs • Lofi tracks across three moods — Ambient & Zen, Chillhop & Jazz, Late Night — bundled and offline, no account, no streaming; one free track in every mood, the full library with Needle+ • 40 ambient sounds — rain, nature, night, travel and more — to layer, each with its own volume (Needle+) • Looping video scenes, or none at all SEE WHERE YOUR TIME GOES • A day view, a week strip, and a full session timeline • Build a daily streak and keep it alive • Set a daily goal that fits your life and watch it fill • Export every session to CSV whenever you want ON EVERY SCREEN YOU OWN • iPhone, iPad and Mac — on Mac, a compact Liquid Glass timer that lives in the menu bar • An Apple Watch app that runs sessions on its own • Control Center tiles • Start, pause and stop the timer from Spotlight, Siri and Shortcuts MAKE IT YOURS • Backgrounds and eight alternate app icons • Eleven languages • Dark by design, easy on the eyes at 2am Needle+ (optional subscription) The full lofi library and all 40 ambient sounds, unlimited tags and colors, detailed stats and insights, and Live Activity with the Dynamic Island. Family Sharing supported, so one subscription covers your whole family. Monthly or yearly; payment is charged to your Apple Account and renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Your time is your most valuable asset. Spend it on what matters. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

FocusTasks4 screens
Needle · Pomodoro Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: FocusTasks at 17.0 against Needle · Pomodoro Timer's 26.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. FocusTasks sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Needle · Pomodoro Timer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FocusTasks ships an update every 2 days, Needle · Pomodoro Timer every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 5 level
FocusTasks versus Needle · Pomodoro Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocusTasksNeedle · Pomodoro Timer
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB155 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRoku, K.K.Galiya Zhenis

In-app purchases

4 purchases

FocusTasks

Subscriptions1
  • Support$1.991 Month
One-time3
  • Small Support$0.99
  • Medium Support$3.99
  • Large Support$69.99
2 purchases

Needle · Pomodoro Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Needle+ Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Needle+ Yearly7 Days trial$5.991 Year

Questions

Is FocusTasks free?
FocusTasks is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Needle · Pomodoro Timer free?
Needle · Pomodoro Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do FocusTasks or Needle · Pomodoro Timer have ads?
Neither FocusTasks nor Needle · Pomodoro Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FocusTasks or Needle · Pomodoro Timer?
FocusTasks ships an update every 2 days, and Needle · Pomodoro Timer every 4 days. Most recently, FocusTasks was updated on October 7, 2026 and Needle · Pomodoro Timer on October 20, 2026.

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