Comparison

Pommie vs Focused Work

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

Head to head
About

Pommie

Enhance concentration and efficiency with a structured time management tool. It divides work into focused intervals followed by short breaks, with longer breaks after a set number of cycles. Customize durations, receive alerts, and control the timer from notifications or Siri.

Highlights
  • Distraction-free interface
  • Audio and visual alerts
  • Configurable work/break durations
  • Interactive notifications
  • Planner view
  • Timer profiles
  • Siri shortcuts
  • Home/Lock Screen widgets
Features
Read full description

Increase your focus and boost your productivity by managing your time into strict work and break periods. Focus on a task for 25 minutes then take a 5 minute break. Repeat this three more times, taking a longer 15 minute break before starting the cycle again. Features: • Simple, distraction-free and intuitive interface. • Audio and visual alerts when the next period starts. Over 35 sounds available. • Configurable work and break durations. • Open, pause or stop the timer directly from notifications. • Interactive iOS notifications to view and control the timer. • Planner View shows when Work and Break periods will occur for the next 10 hours. • Use Timer Profiles to configure timer settings for different kinds of task. • Timer Profiles appear in iOS search results. Tap a result to automatically launch the app and change the timer settings. • Siri shortcuts for controlling the timer, getting its status and selecting a Timer Profile. • Shortcuts run in the background without opening the app. A custom, animated, response view shows the current timer status. • Customise which timer status information is included in the response displayed/spoken by Siri. • Use Pommie shortcuts in Apple's Shortcuts app to control Pommie. Background execution is supported. • Manage shortcuts in Pommie's settings screen, the Shortcuts app, or in the Siri & Search section of Apple's Settings app. • Home Screen Widgets to quickly view and control the timer. • Lock Screen Widgets to quickly view the timer. • External display support showing a custom screen-filling view of the timer. • iPad multitasking. • iPad external keyboard shortcuts to control the timer. • Dynamic Text and VoiceOver for the visually impaired. • Handoff the timer to or from Pommie running on another iOS or Mac device. • Independent Apple Watch app, including complications, with its own timer. For more information see https://hacknicity.com/pommie The Pomodoro Technique® is a registered trademark by Francesco Cirillo. Pommie is not affiliated with, associated with, or endorsed by the Pomodoro Technique® or Francesco Cirillo.

About

Focused Work

This app helps users improve focus and productivity through structured timed sessions. It offers customizable timers, goal setting, and distraction blocking to build healthy work habits.

Highlights
  • Customizable focus sessions
  • Pomodoro and Flowmodoro templates
  • Distraction blocking
  • Reflection and goal tracking
  • Statistics and charts
  • Live Activities and widgets
Features
Read full description

## Featured by App Store in 150+ Countries & Regions # Hot This Week # Apps We Love Right Now # Big Apps From Small Teams # New Apps, Features, and Content ## What People Are Saying "A simple, but valuable utility for creating timed focus sessions of productivity." - MacStories "Focused Work helps you stay on track better than ever" - iMore "Focused Work makes it easy to create and manage Focused Sessions." - 9to5Mac "A tool that helps overcome that first step." - Knapsack Focused Work is a powerful timer that helps you focus and be productive. It's purpose-built for people who want to focus for long periods and struggle with this. Add structure to your day with "Focus Sessions" that encourage you to complete goals, tasks, and help you divide your time into Focus, Break, and Prepare stages. Pick from a selection of templates, including a simple timer, Pomodoro - inspired by the Pomodoro Technique, Flowmodoro - inspired by the Flowtime Technique, and other various sessions. You can also create repeatable sessions specifically tailored to your needs. Add stages, set time limits, and much more. Ultimately, Focused Work helps you be more accountable by reminding you to focus, reflect, and build healthy productivity habits by completing various daily goals. **Core Features** · A simple, powerful timer that keeps you on-task Choose what to focus on. Start the timer. Get stuff done! · Curated Basic Sessions to get started Run a Pomodoro session, Flowmodoro session, or even just a simple timer · Create Focus Sessions Tailor them to your needs with a plethora of configurable options · Reminders Be reminded to stay focused, when to take breaks, and also to start a focus session! · Reflection Track what went well for you during your focus session and what you can improve upon · Scratch Pad Jot down thoughts that come to mind during your session and return to them after · Daily Goals Completing your daily focus goals earns you a streak and helps you form healthy productivity habits · Statistics & Charts Review recent productivity across the past week, month, and year · Block Distractions Select apps and websites you want to restrict access to during a session · In-app Shortcuts Automation Automatically perform actions as you progress through your session, such as turning on Focus · Link with Toggl Track Explore advanced time tracking by linking with Toggl to create time entries, assign projects and tags · Productivity Export Export completed sessions in CSV format **iOS & iPadOS Features** Focused Work is available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with extensive support for each platform; · Live Activities Control your session from the Lock Screen or Dynamic Island · Interactive Widgets Control your session, view daily goals, and start a session from the Home Screen · Control Center Widgets Start a session or access the Scratch Pad with Control Widgets · StandBy Interact with your session while iPhone is in StandBy · Spotlight Search Quick start and interact with sessions from search · Focus Filters Filter which sessions can be viewed & started based on the active Focus · App Shortcuts & Siri Start and interact with a session via various shortcuts that can also be linked together · Picture-in-Picture Show a floating timer above other apps with Picture-in-Picture mode · Session Alerts on all devices Start a session on one device and receive update alerts on others with Focused Work installed · iCloud Syncing Sync productivity stats & created sessions between devices · Privacy Focused Your data is securely stored and managed via iCloud. No account registration. · And much more Mac Support, Share Sheet controls, App Icons, Keyboard Shortcuts, VoiceOver, Split View & Slide Over, Low Power Mode, Drag & Drop, Dark Mode, URL Schemes If you have any questions, please reach out to focusedworkapp@michaeltigas.com.au Privacy Policy: https://focusedwork.app/privacypolicy/ Terms of Use: https://focusedwork.app/terms/

Screenshots

Pommie4 screens
Focused Work4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Focused Work at Free against Pommie's $3.99. Focused Work also leads on update cadence (weekly vs monthly) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). Pommie's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 14) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On review sentiment, ads and device support 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

Focused Work is free to download; Pommie costs $3.99 up front. Focused Work sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Pommie asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Focused Work holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Focused Work has 603 ratings behind it against 88, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of Pommie's written reviews are positive against 85% of Focused Work's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pommie ships an update monthly, Focused Work weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Pommie versus Focused Work: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPommieFocused Work
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (88 ratings)4.7 (603 ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.2% of reviews84.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings88603 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB155 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGeoff HackworthMichael Tigas

Customer experience

Pommie

All ratings88 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral4.5%
Negative8.0%
Written reviews78 reviews
Positive78.2%
Neutral11.5%
Negative10.3%

Focused Work

All ratings603 ratings
Positive93.2%
Neutral3.5%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews166 reviews
Positive84.9%
Neutral4.2%
Negative10.8%

User reviews

Pommie

From 88 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and clean interface
  • ⌚️ Excellent Apple Watch integration
  • 💰 One-time purchase, no subscriptions
  • 🚫 No data gathering
  • 🚀 Works independently on Apple Watch

Room to improve

  • 🐛 iPad widget doesn't work
  • 🐛 Sound not working for some users
  • 🐛 Watch app crashes on launch for some
  • 🐛 Inconsistent sync between devices
  • 🐛 Auto-start of next session can be disruptive

Focused Work

From 603 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 GAME CHANGER
  • 👍 Good app
  • 👍 Good Product
  • 🚀 Phenomenal
  • 👍 Great productivity app!

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Shouldn't be a subscription
  • 🐛 Reminders are annoying
  • 🔒 Stop nagging people for reviews
  • 🔒 App for iwatch is still missing in 2025.
  • 🔒 Could be an amazing timer

Bugs and requests

Pommie

Reported bugs

28 issues
  • iPad widget doesn't work
  • Sound not working for some users
  • Apple Watch app crashes on launch
  • Inconsistent sync between devices
  • Auto-start of next session can be disruptive
Show 23 more
  • Watch notifications out of sync with iPhone
  • Drains watch battery for some users
  • Timer continues past end without interaction
  • Apple Watch app errors and reinstallation issues
  • Terrible compatibility with Apple Watch and iMac
  • No tracking or analysis of sessions
  • No progress tracking or goals
  • Limited number of work periods
  • No desktop app synchronization
  • No handoff between devices
  • No data/records of past cycles
  • Watch notifications out of sync
  • No watch complication (older reviews)
  • Limited timer lengths and rounds
  • No pie chart of time per task
  • No option to switch tasks in widget
  • No chronometer option
  • No white noise/ticking sound option
  • No sound when app is in background
  • No dynamic island or live widget support
  • No iCloud sync for timers
  • No manual start period option
  • No color customization for timers

Requested features

28 requests
  • Sound persistence like a timer
  • Real-time sync between watch and phone timers
  • Support for dynamic island and live widgets
  • Automatic iCloud sync for timers
  • White noise/ticking sound option
Show 23 more
  • Metronome sound option
  • Manual start option for next session
  • Color customization for timer parts and status bars
  • Data for time spent on each timer profile
  • Tabulation of pomodoros achieved daily
  • Tracking of pomodoros from the watch
  • More styles and easier access to profiles
  • Dial for setting work duration on the main screen
  • Chronometer as an option
  • Progress tracking and pomodoro goals
  • Pie chart of time per task
  • Option to switch between tasks in the widget
  • Count sessions (e.g., 4/4 = 1 Session)
  • Ability to rewind time by dragging backwards
  • Ability to change individual round times
  • Smaller durations for discreet tasks or custom values for timer lengths
  • Dark mode option
  • Advanced analytics dashboard
  • Handoff between phone, Apple Watch, and Mac app
  • Record or data of cycles done in the past or current day
  • Sync Apple Watch notifications with iPhone
  • Desktop application synchronization
  • Watch complication support

Focused Work

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login screen freezes
  • Incompatible with older devices
  • Stuck on a session: Gap time
  • Desktop doesn't sync with phone

Requested features

4 requests
  • Need iwatch app
  • Calendar integration?
  • Dark mode option
  • Advanced analytics dashboard

In-app purchases

None

Pommie

No in-app purchases

14 purchases

Focused Work

Subscriptions6
  • Focused Work Pro (1 month)$2.991 Month
  • Focused Work Pro - Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Focused Work Pro (1 month)$6.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Focused Work Pro (1 year)3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Focused Work Pro - Yearly3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Focused Work Pro (1 year)3 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time8
  • Little Tip$0.99
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
Show 5 more
  • Large Tip$9.99
  • Massive Tip$19.99
  • Focused Work Pro Lifetime$59.99
  • Focused Work Pro Lifetime$89.99
  • Focused Work Pro Lifetime$119.99

Questions

Is Pommie free?
Pommie costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Focused Work free?
Focused Work is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pommie or Focused Work?
Focused Work is rated higher. Pommie averages 4.5 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while Focused Work averages 4.7 from 603 ratings.
Do Pommie or Focused Work have ads?
Neither Pommie nor Focused Work shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pommie or Focused Work?
Pommie ships an update monthly, and Focused Work weekly. Most recently, Pommie was updated on October 6, 2026 and Focused Work on October 16, 2026.

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