Comparison

FLIP vs Focus Hourglass

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

Head to head
About

FLIP

This app helps overcome procrastination by using a 2-minute rule to initiate tasks. It features a simple, single-screen interface with haptic feedback and lock-screen visibility to encourage deep work and short breaks.

Highlights
  • 2-minute kickoff timer
  • Flip phone for deep work
  • Sideways phone for breaks
  • Single-screen interface
  • Haptic feedback
  • Lock-screen and Live Activity
  • 100% on-device privacy
Features
Read full description

The hardest part of any task is starting. The 2-minute rule says: just commit to two minutes — then decide whether to keep going. Most of the time, once you've started, you'll keep working far longer. FLIP is a single-screen timer built around that idea. —————————————— HOW IT WORKS • Tap once to start a 2-minute kickoff timer. • When 2 minutes are up, flip your phone face-down to commit to a 20-minute deep-work block. • When deep work ends, turn your phone sideways to take a 5-minute break. • Hold anywhere to cancel — a segmented bar fills with synchronized haptics so the gesture is unmistakable. That's it. No accounts, no settings, no menus. —————————————— DESIGNED FOR FOCUS • Single-screen interface with a retro-digital typeface and edge-to-edge color fill that grows with the timer • Haptic feedback on every state change so you don't have to look at the screen • Lock-screen and Dynamic Island Live Activity — keep the countdown visible without unlocking your phone • A short chime when each phase ends so you can put the phone down and focus —————————————— PRIVATE BY DESIGN • 100% on-device. No accounts, no analytics, no third-party SDKs, no servers. • No data collection. The privacy policy fits on one page. —————————————— WHO IT'S FOR • People who reach for their phone instead of starting a task • Knowledge workers running Pomodoro-like sessions • Students looking for a low-friction focus timer • Anyone who wants the smallest possible app between them and beginning a task Beat procrastination by promising yourself two minutes. Then flip the phone.

About

Focus Hourglass

Read full description

Focus Hourglass is a simple focus timer that starts when you flip your phone over. It recreates the feeling of a real hourglass, helping users reduce phone distractions and stay focused. Core Features: 1. Flip to Start
Choose a focus duration and flip your phone over to begin. 2. Real Hourglass Experience
A flowing hourglass animation makes time feel clear and visual. 3. Pick-Up Reminder
If you turn your phone back during a session, the app reminds you to flip it over and continue focusing. 4. Focus Sounds
Multiple white noise options help create a calm focus atmosphere. 5. Weekly Stats
Track focus time, average duration, success rate, and longest session. 6. Milestones
Unlock achievement badges as you complete focus sessions. Privacy Policy: https://cathycup.github.io/focus_hourglass/privacy-policy

Screenshots

FLIP4 screens
Focus Hourglass4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Focus Hourglass at every 2 days against FLIP's every 3 months. Focus Hourglass also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FLIP ships an update every 3 months, Focus Hourglass every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
FLIP versus Focus Hourglass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFLIPFocus Hourglass
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB36 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIzhan AnsariHangzhou Plus One Daily Technology Co., Ltd.

In-app purchases

None

FLIP

No in-app purchases

None

Focus Hourglass

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FLIP free?
FLIP is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Focus Hourglass free?
Focus Hourglass is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do FLIP or Focus Hourglass have ads?
Neither FLIP nor Focus Hourglass shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FLIP or Focus Hourglass?
FLIP ships an update every 3 months, and Focus Hourglass every 2 days. Most recently, FLIP was updated on September 30, 2026 and Focus Hourglass on September 25, 2026.

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