Comparison

Pommie vs Be Focused

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

Be Focused

This app helps you stay focused by breaking down tasks into timed work intervals with short breaks. It offers task management, customizable timers, progress tracking, and cross-device synchronization. Enhance your productivity and concentration with this effective tool.

Highlights
  • Task creation and management
  • Customizable work/break intervals
  • Progress tracking and reports
  • Cross-device synchronization
  • Widgets and Lock Screen controls
  • Sound and notification options
Features
Read full description

Staying on task seems is a real challenge for our screen-bound generation. The Be Focused lets you get things done by breaking up individual tasks among discrete intervals, separated by short breaks. It’s a surprisingly effective way to retain motivation and focus. Create tasks, configure breaks and track your progress throughout the day, week or custom period. Use Be Focused on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac — everything stays perfectly in sync. Task Management • Create and manage tasks • Add notes and due dates to tasks • Organize tasks with tags and filters • Paste task lists from other apps Timer Control • Start, pause, or skip intervals • Auto-start the next interval (optionally) • Plan intervals needed for task completion and track accuracy • Manage completed intervals Timer Customization • Set durations for work sessions, short and long breaks • Define number of intervals before a long break • Set a daily goal for completed intervals • Assign different timer settings to individual tasks Reports • View detailed reports to monitor your progress • Export your data in CSV format Sounds and Notifications • Chronometer ticking sound with adjustable frequency • Variety of alarm sounds • Interactive notifications • Adjustable volume for alarms and chronometer Integration • Sync across all your devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) • Integration with Focus Matrix to manage tasks using urgent/important principle * • Integration with Shortcuts app to automate workflow Quick Access • Widgets for Lock Screen and Home Screen • Live activities for Lock Screen and Dynamic Island • Control to start or stop the timer from the Lock Screen, Controls Center, or Action Button Automation • Integration with Shortcuts app (control tasks and timers via Shortcuts app) • Automate Shortcuts execution on events in Be Focused app Device Support • Apple Watch support • Also available for Mac • Dark and Light mode support Pro Version Features • Single purchase unlocks Pro on iPhone, iPad, and Mac • Sync across all your devices • Tags and filters to organize tasks and maintain focus • Integration with Focus Matrix to manage tasks using urgent/important principle * • Shortcuts execution on events in Be Focused app • Export data in CSV format • No banners, no ads Be Focused is free to download and use forever. However, if you want to access the Pro features on all your iPhones, iPads, and Macs, you can upgrade to the Pro version. The Pro subscription comes in three different options: Monthly, Yearly with a 7-day trial, and Lifetime (one-time payment). Payment will be charged to your App Store account and will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Subscription may be managed and auto-renewal may be turned off in your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://xwavesoft.com/privacy-policy.html Terms of Use: https://xwavesoft.com/terms-of-use.html * Integration with Focus Matrix requires the Pro version of Focus Matrix, sold separately.

Screenshots

Pommie4 screens
Be Focused4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Be Focused at Free against Pommie's $3.99. Be Focused also leads on ratings volume (4.3K vs 88) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). Pommie's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). On 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

Be Focused is free to download; Pommie costs $3.99 up front. Be Focused sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Pommie asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Be Focused holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Be Focused has 4.3K 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 89% of Be Focused's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pommie ships an update monthly, Be Focused every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 1 level
Pommie versus Be Focused: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPommieBe Focused
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (88 ratings)4.7 (4.3K ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.2% of reviews88.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings884.3K — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGeoff HackworthDenys Ievenko

Customer experience

Pommie

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

Be Focused

All ratings4,318 ratings
Positive94.5%
Neutral2.7%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews506 reviews
Positive88.9%
Neutral5.5%
Negative5.5%

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

Be Focused

From 4.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Straightforward and easy to use
  • 🚀 Helps with focus and productivity
  • 💡 Customizable work and break times
  • 📊 Tracks time spent on tasks
  • 🔔 Good notification system

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Syncing issues between devices
  • 🔔 Inconsistent notification sounds
  • 💻 Lack of dark mode
  • 🔍 Difficulty rearranging tasks

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

Be Focused

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Timer resets unexpectedly
  • Timers not syncing correctly across devices
  • Notifications not always working as expected

Requested features

5 requests
  • Option to override Do Not Disturb mode
  • Ability to log partial intervals
  • Time tracking with notes per interval
  • Customizable notification sounds
  • Ability to set task-specific time limits

In-app purchases

None

Pommie

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Be Focused

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pro$2.991 Month
  • Yearly Pro7 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro$39.99

Questions

Is Pommie free?
Pommie costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Be Focused free?
Be Focused is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pommie or Be Focused?
Be Focused is rated higher. Pommie averages 4.5 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while Be Focused averages 4.7 from 4.3K ratings.
Do Pommie or Be Focused have ads?
Be Focused shows ads; Pommie does not.
Which is updated more often, Pommie or Be Focused?
Pommie ships an update monthly, and Be Focused every 5 months. Most recently, Pommie was updated on September 23, 2026 and Be Focused on September 24, 2026.

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