Comparison

Refocus vs Orbit

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

Head to head
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.

About

Orbit

Read full description

Set a timer, put the phone down, and actually stay off the apps that pull you away. Orbit is a focus timer built for ADHD brains that set timers and then ignore them. Most timers just count down in the background. Orbit shields your distracting apps for real, using iOS Screen Time, so the pull is gone while you work. A single hand-drawn tangle of line sits on a black screen and slowly threads with color as your session runs. It is your clock, your progress bar, and something calm to rest your eyes on instead of a feed. Touch it and the strands spring and swirl back into place. Why it fits an ADHD brain: - One tap to start. Pick a preset and you are focusing, no setup wall. - Real app blocking, not a nag. The apps you choose stay shielded until the session ends. - A calm, no-shame stop. Sessions wind down gently instead of slamming shut on a hyperfocus. - Focused days, not guilt streaks. Orbit counts the days you showed up and never punishes a miss. - Nothing to read while you focus. Black screen, one moving thing, silence. Free forever: - Focus sessions with the live tangle - A basic streak of your focused days Orbit Pro: - Unlimited sessions and full app blocking - Complete history and insight into where your time actually goes - Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets No ads. No account. Works offline. Your session data stays on your device. Untangle your time. Terms of Use: https://readbuildship.com/apps/orbit/terms

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
Orbit4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Refocus at none against Orbit's 3. Orbit's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Orbit sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Refocus asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update every 3 weeks, Orbit weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
Refocus versus Orbit: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusOrbit
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size51 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHiroki NishikawaJan Piotrzkowski

In-app purchases

None

Refocus

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Orbit

Subscriptions3
  • Orbit Pro Weekly$1.997 Days
  • Orbit Pro Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Orbit Pro Yearly$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Orbit free?
Orbit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Refocus or Orbit have ads?
Neither Refocus nor Orbit shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or Orbit?
Refocus ships an update every 3 weeks, and Orbit weekly. Most recently, Refocus was updated on September 16, 2026 and Orbit on September 9, 2026.

Other comparisons