Comparison

keep it simple. Focus Timer vs Pondoro

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

Head to head
About

keep it simple. Focus Timer

Features
Read full description

keep it simple. is a minimal focus timer built for deep work, studying, and distraction-free productivity. No clutter. No complicated setup. Just start a session and focus. Whether you’re studying, working, or trying to stay off distractions, keep it simple. helps you stay in flow with a clean Pomodoro timer designed to get out of your way. Choose a ready-made focus preset or create your own routine with custom focus sessions, short breaks, long breaks, and cycle lengths. Need something quick? Start a 5, 10, or 20 minute focus timer instantly — no setup required. Features • Minimal Pomodoro timer for focus & deep work • Ready-made and custom focus sessions • Quick countdown timers • Focus statistics & session history • Home Screen widgets • Live Activities support • Notifications & break reminders • Clean, distraction-free design Track your focus time, break time, completed sessions, unfinished sessions, and pause count with built-in statistics. Designed to stay out of your way, keep it simple. helps you focus, rest, and repeat.

About

Pondoro

Enhance focus with an AI companion and a virtual aquarium. Block distracting apps during timed sessions to earn rewards like coins, XP, and unique fish for your growing reef. Enjoy a playful, pressure-free approach to productivity.

Highlights
  • AI focus companion (Pondie)
  • Gamified aquarium progression
  • Optional app blocking
  • Pomodoro-style focus timer
  • Fish collection and breeding
  • Fish racing game
Features
Read full description

Focus, and watch a living reef grow with you. Pondoro turns each Pomodoro session into coins, XP, and new cartoon fish for your own aquarium — calm, private, and never naggy. Made for students, deep workers, and busy ADHD minds. WHY PONDORO IS DIFFERENT Most focus apps punish you when you slip. Pondoro doesn't. No shame, no nagging, no streak guilt — just a calm, offline-first space where showing up is its own reward, and your reef remembers every session. MEET PONDIE, YOUR COMPANION - A friendly little goldfish who actually knows your streak, focus, and fish - Encouragement, help planning your time, and a pep talk when you need one - 100% on-device with Apple Intelligence — private, free, and works offline GROW A LIVING REEF - Every focus session earns coins and XP - Hatch and collect cartoon fish — common & uncommon free, rarer species (rare, epic, legendary) with Plus - Breed rare new species and decorate habitats your way STAY IN FLOW - A reliable, timestamp-anchored timer — locking your phone never cheats a session - A Lock Screen Live Activity keeps your session in view - Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets show your streak and today's progress at a glance - Works with iOS Focus modes — flip on Work or Study and a session is ready when you return - Optional Deep Focus app-blocking — block the apps that pull you away, only while a session runs (free, on-device) - Gentle, optional AirPods posture check-ins — on-device, foreground only - Race the fish your focus earned against in-app rivals — just for fun, no real money CALM AND PRIVATE BY DESIGN - Offline-first — core focus works with no account or connection - On-device AI — your chats with Pondie never leave your phone - No ads, no shame, no nagging - Optional Apple Health sync — completed sessions count as Mindful Minutes - Your data stays yours — export your full focus history as CSV anytime PONDORO PLUS Go further with Pondoro Plus: earn double coins, keep earning past the free daily cap, breed rare fish faster, unlock every fish and rarity, and claim member interiors, premium soundscapes, and Photo Mode. A progression boost — never a wall in front of the real app. Start your first focus session today. Your reef is waiting. Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.pondoro.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.pondoro.app/privacy

Screenshots

keep it simple. Focus Timer4 screens
Pondoro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: keep it simple. Focus Timer at none against Pondoro's 3. On price, update cadence, ads 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. Pondoro sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. keep it simple. Focus Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

keep it simple. Focus Timer ships an update every 4 days, Pondoro every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and July 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
keep it simple. Focus Timer versus Pondoro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterkeep it simple. Focus TimerPondoro
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 5 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB82 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDzmitry SemianovichSebastian Gonzales

In-app purchases

None

keep it simple. Focus Timer

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Pondoro

Subscriptions2
  • Pondoro Plus Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Pondoro Plus Annual3 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pondoro Plus Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is keep it simple. Focus Timer free?
keep it simple. Focus Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pondoro free?
Pondoro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do keep it simple. Focus Timer or Pondoro have ads?
Neither keep it simple. Focus Timer nor Pondoro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, keep it simple. Focus Timer or Pondoro?
keep it simple. Focus Timer ships an update every 4 days, and Pondoro every 5 days. Most recently, keep it simple. Focus Timer was updated on September 14, 2026 and Pondoro on July 16, 2026.

Other comparisons