Comparison

Pommie vs Focus

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

Focus

This app helps users improve concentration and productivity by breaking work into structured intervals with scheduled breaks. It offers task management, detailed statistics, and syncs across all Apple devices, including Apple Watch and widgets.

Highlights
  • Customizable Pomodoro timer
  • Unlimited to-do lists
  • In-depth productivity statistics
  • iCloud sync across Apple devices
  • Lock Screen and Home Screen widgets
  • Apple Watch app
Features
Read full description

Do your best work. Focus helps you concentrate with timed focus sessions built on the Pomodoro technique, track your tasks and projects, and see real progress — across all your Apple devices. A calm, proven rhythm: plan, work, break, review. “[…] a tool that can genuinely make people more productive” – MacStories.net “[…] a must-have for anyone who finds themselves easily getting distracted or forgetting to take occasional breaks.” – iDownloadBlog.com I always use Focus when… … I need to start a deep-work session … I want to stop procrastinating and finally begin … I want to break a big project into focused sprints … I’m studying and need to concentrate … I want to protect my time from distractions … I want to build a daily focus habit … I want to see what I actually got done today … I want structure without a heavy, complicated system Benefits * Start focusing in seconds: pick a task, start a session, get to work * The proven Pomodoro rhythm — plan → work → break → review — that gives your attention somewhere to go * Sessions and tasks together: a focus timer plus real task, project, and time tracking (most apps split these into two) * See your progress: daily and weekly activity and goals make focus feel earned, never nagged * Restful breaks that are part of the rhythm, not slacking * Calm and encouraging — momentum, never hustle, grind, or guilt Features * Timed focus sessions with flexible session and break lengths * Tasks, projects, and time tracking * Daily and weekly activity and goals * In-app Learning: short, friendly guides you can apply as you read * Widgets, Live Activities, and Dynamic Island * Siri, Shortcuts, and Spotlight via App Intents * Seamless iCloud sync * Built-in accessibility * Privacy first: your data stays on your devices and in your own iCloud * Available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro * Handcrafted by real humans :-) Focus is free to start. Focus Pro unlocks everything with a 7-day free trial. Thanks for doing your best work with us! We’re always improving Focus. If you have feedback or an idea, we’d love to hear it. About us Focus is made by Jan & Kerstin, two independent app developers based in Germany. We built Focus for our own workdays — to concentrate, make real progress, and still keep things calm. Our goal: a productivity app that’s a joy to use every day. We built this tool for ourselves — and now we’d love to share it with you! Questions? We offer friendly support. Just drop us a note at support@meaningful-things.com and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can. Privacy & Terms https://meaningful-things.com/privacy https://meaningful-things.com/terms

Screenshots

Pommie4 screens
Focus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Focus at Free against Pommie's $3.99. Focus also leads on ratings volume (1.8K vs 88) and update cadence (every 10 days vs monthly). Pommie's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and review sentiment (78% vs 57%). On rating, 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

Focus is free to download; Pommie costs $3.99 up front. Focus sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Pommie asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Pommie against 4.4 for Focus. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Focus has 1.8K ratings behind it against 88, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 78% of Pommie's written reviews are positive against 57% of Focus's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pommie ships an update monthly, Focus every 10 days. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Pommie versus Focus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPommieFocus
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (88 ratings) — better4.4 (1.8K ratings)
Positive reviews78.2% of reviews — better56.9% of reviews
Number of ratings881.8K — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB301 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGeoff HackworthMeaningful Things GmbH & Co. KG

Customer experience

Pommie

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

Focus

All ratings1,835 ratings
Positive86.4%
Neutral2.9%
Negative10.7%
Written reviews304 reviews
Positive56.9%
Neutral12.8%
Negative30.3%

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

Focus

From 1.8K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Time tracking
  • 👍 Minimalist design
  • 🚀 Seamless cross-device sync
  • 👍 Helpful for productivity
  • 👍 Great for Pomodoro technique

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🐛 Sync issues between devices
  • 🐛 Unreliable notifications
  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 🐛 Forced to pay for basic functionality

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

Focus

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Infinite intro screen
  • Prompts to set up app on every open
  • Timer resets unexpectedly
  • Sync issues between iPhone, iPad, and Watch
  • Notifications not working as expected

Requested features

6 requests
  • Ability to duplicate tasks
  • Calendar integration
  • Background sounds
  • Customizable timer lengths
  • Automatic focus mode switching
Show 1 more
  • More detailed analytics and reporting

In-app purchases

None

Pommie

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

Focus

Subscriptions9
  • Focus - Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Focus - 3 Months$14.993 Months
  • Focus Yearly$19.991 Year
Show 6 more
  • Focus Yearly$27.991 Year
  • Focus Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Focus Early Bird7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Focus Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Focus Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Patron Subscription7 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is Pommie free?
Pommie costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Focus free?
Focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pommie or Focus?
Pommie is rated higher. Pommie averages 4.5 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while Focus averages 4.4 from 1.8K ratings.
Do Pommie or Focus have ads?
Neither Pommie nor Focus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pommie or Focus?
Pommie ships an update monthly, and Focus every 10 days. Most recently, Pommie was updated on September 23, 2026 and Focus on September 23, 2026.

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