Comparison

Iris Drive vs Pirates

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

Head to head
About

Iris Drive

Features
Read full description

Iris Drive is private file sync for devices you control. Create a local profile or link an existing device, then browse synced files through the native Files app. Share selected folders with people you choose, keep encrypted backups, and open Iris apps from one place. Your files and cryptographic keys stay under your control. Iris Drive has no ads, analytics, or tracking.

About

Pirates

Take back control of your time by blocking distracting apps and websites. Utilize a focus timer with custom soundscapes to enhance productivity. Enjoy a fun, engaging experience with unique characters and ships while gaining clear insights into your progress.

Highlights
  • App and website blocking
  • Focus timer with Pomodoro
  • Customizable soundscapes
  • Engaging character and ship designs
  • On-device blocking via Screen Time API
  • Progress insights
Features
Read full description

A cozy Pomodoro timer with a crew of cat pirates. Start a focus round, sail with your cats, and earn gold when the timer ends. Your distracting apps stay locked until you're done. No accounts, no ads, no tracking. A TIMER THAT FEELS LIKE A GAME • Pick your focus and break lengths, or use the classic 25/5 • Earn gold every time a round ends, not at the end of the week • Recruit 7 cats, dress them in 170+ outfits, and decorate your ship and camp • Come home to a cozy camp with a hammock, a campfire, and cats wandering around while you work BUILT FOR DISTRACTED BRAINS • One big button to start. No setup, no to-do list first • Short rounds with a visible timer, so time stops feeling invisible • Streaks start at 1 day, so a bad week never wipes you out • Mix your own ambient sound: waves, rain, fireplace, lo-fi, and a purring cat KEEPS YOUR PHONE QUIET • Optional app and website blocking with iOS Screen Time. No VPN, no servers • You pick which apps lock during a round. Calls and texts always work • Quit a round early and you lose the reward. Hard mode locks the timer so you can't end it early MORE ON DECK • Live Activity keeps the timer on your lock screen and Dynamic Island • Three daily missions arrive in your mailbox and pay extra gold • Climb 11 pirate ranks from Deckhand to Legend of the Seven Seas • The Captain's log charts every focus minute PERFECT FOR • Students who want study sessions to feel less lonely and more finished • ADHD brains that do better with short rounds and instant rewards • Writers, developers, and anyone whose work needs long stretches of focus PRICING A monthly subscription, an annual subscription with 14 days free, or a one-time lifetime purchase. All unlock the full app. No ads, ever. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your progress stays on your phone. No account, no ads, no tracking. The lock runs on your device through Apple's Screen Time, and your app choices never leave it. The only things the app sends out are anonymous usage statistics and crash reports. Terms of Use: https://cachepapi.github.io/pirates-legal/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://cachepapi.github.io/pirates-legal/privacy/ Study with cat pirates. Your first voyage awaits, Captain!

Screenshots

Iris Drive4 screens
Pirates4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Iris Drive at none against Pirates's 3. Pirates's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 5 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Pirates sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Iris Drive asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Iris Drive ships an update every 5 weeks, Pirates every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Iris Drive versus Pirates: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIris DrivePirates
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size89 MB160 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperSirius Business OyJohn Jang

In-app purchases

None

Iris Drive

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Pirates

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Annual14 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$29.99

Questions

Is Iris Drive free?
Iris Drive is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pirates free?
Pirates is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Iris Drive or Pirates have ads?
Neither Iris Drive nor Pirates shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Iris Drive or Pirates?
Iris Drive ships an update every 5 weeks, and Pirates every 4 days. Most recently, Iris Drive was updated on October 8, 2026 and Pirates on October 21, 2026.

Other comparisons