# IMESS vs Focus Timer

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: IMESS at none against Focus Timer's 6. IMESS also leads on iOS requirement (7.0 vs 16.4). Focus Timer's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 6 weeks). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Focus Timer sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. IMESS asks for nothing beyond the download.

IMESS ships an update every 6 weeks, Focus Timer every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | IMESS | Focus Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 6 days** |
| Size | 4 MB | 99 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [My Appy](https://appshunter.io/developer/1018763271) | [Andreas Duca](https://appshunter.io/developer/6793451225) |

## What reviewers say

### IMESS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imess/id889715583)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Focus Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-timer-pomodoro-plus-study/id6813980943)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Focus Timer Pro – Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Pro Yearly – 50% Off | $39.99 | per year |
| Pro Yearly – 25% Off | $59.99 | per year |
| Focus Timer Pro – Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Pro Lifetime – 50% Off | $114.99 | one-time |
| Focus Timer Pro – Lifetime | $229.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is IMESS free?

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

### Is Focus Timer free?

Focus Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do IMESS or Focus Timer have ads?

Neither IMESS nor Focus Timer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, IMESS or Focus Timer?

IMESS ships an update every 6 weeks, and Focus Timer every 6 days. Most recently, IMESS was updated on October 7, 2026 and Focus Timer on October 18, 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.*