Comparison

Emphasis vs Deep Focus Timer ∞

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

Deep Focus Timer ∞

A minimalist, full-screen countdown timer designed to eliminate distractions. Set custom durations, start with one tap, and focus on your task with a clean visual display and customizable alarms. Ideal for studying, work sessions, or any activity requiring focused time.

Highlights
  • One-tap start with custom durations
  • Full-screen visual countdown
  • Screen stays awake during sessions
  • Multiple completion tones
  • Minimal, dark-mode-first interface
Features
Read full description

A clean, full-screen countdown timer for any task. Pick a duration. Tap start. The screen becomes a quiet, full-bleed countdown. When time is up, an alarm plays. That's the whole product. WHO IT'S FOR - Studying for a test - Time-boxing a deep work block - Kitchen timing while you cook - Reading sessions - A short nap or rest - Any other moment that needs a clean countdown without distractions FEATURES - One-tap start with custom durations from 1 minute to several hours - Full-screen visual countdown — your phone shows the timer, nothing else - Screen stays awake during a session, no auto-lock interruptions - Multiple completion tones to pick from - Minimal, dark-mode-first interface designed to disappear once you're focused WHY DEEP FOCUS TIMER - Made by a small studio that uses it every day - No subscription, no accounts, no streak guilt - Doesn't try to be more than a timer Set it. Start it. Get to work.

Screenshots

Emphasis4 screens
Deep Focus Timer ∞1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Deep Focus Timer ∞ at none against Emphasis's 6. Deep Focus Timer ∞ also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Emphasis's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). On price 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. Emphasis sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month. Deep Focus Timer ∞ asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Deep Focus Timer ∞ holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Emphasis has 1.1K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Emphasis ships an update fortnightly, Deep Focus Timer ∞ every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Emphasis versus Deep Focus Timer ∞: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEmphasisDeep Focus Timer ∞
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.1K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews83.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.1K — better1
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size73 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAleksandr Fiodorov辰巳家有限公司

Customer experience

Emphasis

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

Deep Focus Timer ∞

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
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

Deep Focus Timer ∞

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
None

Deep Focus Timer ∞

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Emphasis free?
Emphasis is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Deep Focus Timer ∞ free?
Deep Focus Timer ∞ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Emphasis or Deep Focus Timer ∞?
Deep Focus Timer ∞ is rated higher. Emphasis averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Deep Focus Timer ∞ averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Emphasis or Deep Focus Timer ∞ have ads?
Deep Focus Timer ∞ shows ads; Emphasis does not.
Which is updated more often, Emphasis or Deep Focus Timer ∞?
Emphasis ships an update fortnightly, and Deep Focus Timer ∞ every 3 months. Most recently, Emphasis was updated on October 3, 2026 and Deep Focus Timer ∞ on September 26, 2026.

Other comparisons