Comparison

20 Seconds vs Focus

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

Head to head
About

20 Seconds

This app helps build new habits or break existing ones by using a 20-second countdown. It provides a progress indicator and optional sounds or music to aid in distraction and amusement during the countdown.

Highlights
  • 20-second habit timer
  • Progress indicator
  • Distracting sounds and music
  • Automatic start option
  • 30-day trial in Today widget
Read full description

20 Seconds is a simple app, whose only purpose is to count, you guessed it, to 20 seconds. Why, one might ask, 20 seconds? Well, there is a theory that says that 20 seconds is enough time to help you build a new habit, or help you break an existing one. To start with good habits, if you want to do something, you are much more likely to actually do it, if you start within 20 seconds from when you first thought about it. If you wait any longer, you are less likely to go through with it. Conversely, if you want to break a bad habit, waiting 20 seconds after you get the urge, will make it easier for you to avoid doing it. So, when you feel an urge to do something you want to stop doing, start the 20 Seconds app and let it count down. See how you feel about that urge after 20 seconds have passed. While counting down, the app will show a progress indicator, (with or without a random shape), play music or play ticking sounds to distract and amuse you a little bit. It can start counting automatically as soon as you start the app. It also has a 30 day trail of usage in the today widget.

About

Focus

Features
Read full description

Take control of your personal growth. Focus is your all-in-one self-development companion — designed to help you build better habits, journal with intention, and dive deep into distraction-free work sessions. Whether you're trying to break bad habits, build a consistent routine, or stay focused throughout the day, Focus brings the tools you need into one beautifully simple app. Features: Habit Tracker – Build streaks and stay consistent Daily Journal – Reflect, grow, and gain clarity Deep Work Timer – Eliminate distractions and get in flow Progress Overview – Visualize your development over time No clutter. No distractions. Just real tools to help you become your best self — one day at a time. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yCVpYUVdwF4IAVAb_r3-9q6HU2bhP5LwlAxFgKR8kNY/edit?usp=sharing

Screenshots

20 Seconds4 screens
Focus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Focus at none against 20 Seconds's 2. Focus also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months). 20 Seconds's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.1). On price, 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

Both are free to download. 20 Seconds sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Focus asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

20 Seconds ships an update every 3 months, Focus weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
20 Seconds versus Focus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter20 SecondsFocus
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (19 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings19 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size41 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNishco LtdTimileyin Salam

In-app purchases

2 purchases

20 Seconds

One-time2
  • Premium Version$0.99
  • A Kind Tip$0.99
None

Focus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is 20 Seconds free?
20 Seconds is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Focus free?
Focus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do 20 Seconds or Focus have ads?
Neither 20 Seconds nor Focus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 20 Seconds or Focus?
20 Seconds ships an update every 3 months, and Focus weekly. Most recently, 20 Seconds was updated on September 25, 2026 and Focus on September 21, 2026.

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