Comparison

Emphasis vs TimeLog

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

Head to head
About

Emphasis

This app helps users achieve deep work by providing customizable focus intervals and ambient soundscapes. It tracks your focus progress and offers personalized statistics to help you reclaim your time from distractions.

Highlights
  • Customizable focus intervals
  • Ambient background sounds
  • Focus-O-Meter for distraction tracking
  • Personalized progress statistics
  • Cloud sync across devices
  • Highly customizable sessions
Features
Read full description

You sit down to work. 40 seconds later, your hand is already reaching for your phone. Familiar? You’re not lazy. Modern life is engineered for distraction, and trying to force yourself to focus through sheer willpower simply doesn't work. Emphasis doesn’t force you to fight your own brain. One tap, a gentle ambient sound, a steady rhythm—and you’re already in a session. Ended a focus block after 12 minutes instead of 25? That’s 12 minutes of deep work you didn't have before. In Emphasis, every minute counts. 4.7 · 20,000+ reviews · Lightweight at just 75 MB Whether you’re navigating an ADHD brain, tackling a heavy study load, or trying to find clarity in a chaotic work week, Emphasis is a sanctuary from the digital noise. We took the science of the Pomodoro technique and turned it into a gentle, intentional rhythm that respects your natural energy levels. DESIGNED FOR YOUR FLOW STATE: * Immersive Sonic Spaces: Silence background distractions with curated ambient soundscapes. From subtle rhythmic pulses to meditative nature tones, create an environment where getting started feels effortless. * The Focus-O-Meter: Awareness is the first step to change. Select the apps that pull you away from your work and watch your Focus-O-Meter rise as you choose presence over the scroll. It’s not about restriction—it’s about reclaiming the time that belongs to you. * Tailored Focus Blueprints: No two brains work the same. Our onboarding learns your workflow needs from the start, letting you fully customize your session lengths and restorative breaks to prevent burnout before it begins. * Progress, Not Perfection: Focus is a practice, not a destination. Use beautiful, minimalist progress charts and calendar stats to recognize your personal patterns of success and celebrate your consistency. * Apple Ecosystem Sync: Your focus journey shouldn't be tied to one desk. Emphasis syncs seamlessly across your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch to keep your rhythm steady wherever you go. At just 75 MB, Emphasis won’t bloat your device, but it will help clear your mind. Join thousands of us who are choosing a kinder, more intentional way to live and work. Download Emphasis today and let’s find your rhythm together. https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

TimeLog

Effortlessly track study, work, or habit durations with a simple tap. Visualize your progress with beautiful charts and analyze your time across daily, weekly, and monthly views to stay focused and motivated.

Highlights
  • Record daily activities and durations
  • Easy tracking with stopwatch
  • Categorize activities
  • Daily, weekly, and monthly charts
  • Analyze category and action time
  • Calendar view for reflection
  • Supports Dark Mode
Features
Read full description

Stay motivated by making your progress visible. TimeLog helps you record and analyze your study, work, or habit time effortlessly. Just tap to start the timer, and your daily efforts are automatically organized and visualized with beautiful charts. 【App Features】 • Record daily activities and durations • Easy tracking with stopwatch • Categorize your activities • View daily, weekly, and monthly charts • Analyze each category and action • Calendar view for time reflection • Supports Dark Mode Whether you’re preparing for exams, studying for a certification, managing work hours, or tracking daily habits — TimeLog helps you stay consistent, focused, and motivated. Start recording today, visualize your effort, and make your time work smarter for you. -Term of Use https://equatorial-promise-d20.notion.site/17104c92cfe246f0a2f1b28ce440c7c5?pvs=4 -Privacy Policy https://equatorial-promise-d20.notion.site/c4a7b90aab28457db2a8a3403722d43a?pvs=4

Screenshots

Emphasis4 screens
TimeLog4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Emphasis at none against TimeLog's shown. Emphasis also leads on device support (4 vs 1). TimeLog's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Emphasis sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month and TimeLog sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Emphasis ships an update fortnightly, TimeLog every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Emphasis versus TimeLog: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEmphasisTimeLog
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.1K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews83.9% of reviews88.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.1K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size73 MB54 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAleksandr Fiodorovmasashi adachi

Customer experience

Emphasis

All ratings1,058 ratings
Positive92.6%
Neutral2.2%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews1,108 reviews
Positive83.9%
Neutral6.0%
Negative10.0%

TimeLog

Written reviews9 reviews
Positive88.9%
Neutral11.1%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Emphasis

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Timer not working correctly after breaks
  • Task lists not saving properly
  • App crashing on launch for some users
  • Sync issues causing data loss

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to track individual tasks and time spent
  • Landscape mode support
  • Apple Watch app integration
  • More color theme options
  • Improved statistics and progress tracking

TimeLog

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Emphasis

Subscriptions4
  • Emphasis Premium Subscription$3.491 Month
  • Emphasis Premium Subscription$4.991 Month
  • Premium Feature (Yearly Promo)$12.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Emphasis Premium Subscription7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime premium$29.99
  • Lifetime premium$59.99
3 purchases

TimeLog

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly plan1 Month trial$1.991 Month
  • Annual plan$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime plan$29.99

Questions

Is Emphasis free?
Emphasis is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TimeLog free?
TimeLog is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Emphasis or TimeLog have ads?
TimeLog shows ads; Emphasis does not.
Which is updated more often, Emphasis or TimeLog?
Emphasis ships an update fortnightly, and TimeLog every 4 days. Most recently, Emphasis was updated on October 21, 2026 and TimeLog on October 14, 2026.

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