# CTRL Focus vs Needle · Pomodoro Timer

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CTRL Focus at none against Needle · Pomodoro Timer's 2. CTRL Focus also leads on iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.0). Needle · Pomodoro Timer's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs weekly) and device support (4 vs 2). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Needle · Pomodoro Timer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. CTRL Focus asks for nothing beyond the download.

CTRL Focus ships an update weekly, Needle · Pomodoro Timer every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CTRL Focus | Needle · Pomodoro Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 4 days** |
| Size | 54 MB | 155 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CTRL Studio UG (haftungsbeschrankt)](https://appshunter.io/developer/1860698869) | [Galiya Zhenis](https://appshunter.io/developer/6783874600) |

## What reviewers say

### CTRL Focus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ctrl-focus-deep-work-timer/id6772555209)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Needle · Pomodoro Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/needle-pomodoro-timer/id6801300686)

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Needle+ Monthly | $0.99 | per month |
| Needle+ Yearly | $5.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CTRL Focus free?

CTRL Focus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Needle · Pomodoro Timer free?

Needle · Pomodoro Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do CTRL Focus or Needle · Pomodoro Timer have ads?

Neither CTRL Focus nor Needle · Pomodoro Timer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CTRL Focus or Needle · Pomodoro Timer?

CTRL Focus ships an update weekly, and Needle · Pomodoro Timer every 4 days. Most recently, CTRL Focus was updated on October 6, 2026 and Needle · Pomodoro Timer on October 20, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*