DepthWork vs Refrain

Most focus apps just count minutes. DepthWork measures the quality of your attention — built for ADHD minds, developers, and anyone who's tried every timer and still can't stay focused. Cal Newport called it deep work. We built the tool that measures whether you actually did it. Designed around peer-reviewed research on attention, habit formation, and flow states, DepthWork turns deep work into a system you can actually train. WHAT MAKES DEPTHWORK DIFFERENT Focus Depth Index (FDI) — a single 0–100 score that reflects how deep your focus really went, not just how long you sat there. Flow state detection — sessions that cross the ~25-minute uninterrupted threshold earn a rare Flow badge, inspired by Csíkszentmihályi's research. Distraction timing matters — interruptions early in a session cost more than late ones, modeling the well-known 23-minute re-focus cost. Goal completion bonus — set a micro-goal before each session — completing it adds a significant bonus to your FDI score. Focus fitness tracking — watch your focus score grow week over week as your sessions get deeper. HOW IT WORKS Set your intention. A short pre-session goal primes your attention before the timer starts. Focus without interruption. The app silently tracks session quality in the background. Get your FDI score. Completion ratio, distraction decay, timing penalty, and goal completion combine into a meaningful number. Build the habit. Your FDI trend, flow badges, and weekly progress chart show how your attention actually improves — not just whether you showed up. ACHIEVEMENTS THAT MEAN SOMETHING Every badge marks a measurable point in your focus development — backed by the same research that powers the FDI score: First Synapse — your first focus session Myelin Builder — one week in, your routine is taking shape Habit Encoded — three weeks of practice, focus starts to feel automatic Neural Architect — one month in, focus is becoming part of who you are Flow Native — six months, flow sessions are a regular part of your week Zone Entered — your first fully uninterrupted session THE RESEARCH BEHIND IT 23-minute distraction recovery (UC Irvine attention research) Repeated, deliberate practice as the foundation of habit-building Goal completion as one of the most reliable reinforcement loops Strategically timed breaks to sustain attention Flow state thresholds drawn from Csíkszentmihályi's work Pink and white noise at low volumes to support sustained attention PRIVATE BY DESIGN No account required All data stays on your device No tracking, no ads, no data sharing Works fully offline WHO IT'S FOR Knowledge workers tired of shallow productivity timers Students preparing for deep, sustained study Writers, designers, developers, researchers, and anyone who lives by their attention People with ADHD rebuilding focus after years of fragmented digital habits PRICING Try DepthWork Premium free for 7 days. After your trial, Premium continues at $1.99/month unless canceled. Cancel anytime in your Apple ID settings. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the end of the trial. Subscription automatically renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscription in your Apple ID account settings. Train your focus. Work deeper. Think clearer. A NOTE ON THE SCIENCE DepthWork is informed by widely cited attention and focus research, but it does not measure your brain directly — there are no EEG sensors or neural readings. The Focus Depth Index is a behavioral score derived from your session activity (interruption timing, goal completion, session length, and distraction patterns). It is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose or treat ADHD or any other condition.

Refrain is a private focus timer for people who want to start with intent and end with an honest reflection. Before each session, write what you are choosing to focus on. Run the timer. When you finish, rate the session and add a short note. Refrain turns those sessions into a quiet history of rescued time, recent intents, reflection notes, and weekly progress. WHY REFRAIN - Intent prompt before every focus session. - Flexible focus durations from quick resets to deep-work blocks. - Local focus rules for the distractions you want to avoid. - End-of-session reflection with rating and optional notes. - History and stats to review rescued time, sessions, and trends. - Private by design: no account, no ads, no location tracking, no analytics. FREE AND PRO The free version includes the core timer, intent journal, daily focus cap, and starter history. Refrain Pro is an auto-renewable subscription available monthly or yearly. Pro unlocks unlimited focus time, more focus rules, full history, richer reports, and advanced focus-session options. Refrain does not use system-level app blocking, ScreenTime permissions, HealthKit, or location tracking. It is built as a reliable private focus timer that keeps your data on device. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/