Comparison

Be Focused Pro vs Ultimate Focus

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

Head to head
About

Be Focused Pro

This app helps you stay focused and productive by breaking down tasks into timed intervals with short breaks. It offers task management, customizable timers, progress tracking, and cross-device synchronization. Achieve your goals with structured work sessions.

Highlights
  • Task creation and management
  • Customizable work and break intervals
  • Progress tracking and reports
  • Cross-device synchronization
  • Lock Screen and Home Screen widgets
  • Apple Watch support
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 * Sync with Mac requires Be Focused Pro for macOS, sold separately. ** Integration with Focus Matrix requires the Pro version of Focus Matrix, sold separately.

About

Ultimate Focus

Enhance your productivity with a visual timer designed for focused work and study. Manage tasks, utilize Pomodoro cycles, block distractions, and track your progress. Sync with your calendar and personalize your experience with customizable themes and sounds.

Highlights
  • Visual timer with drag-to-set functionality
  • Task-specific focus sessions
  • Pomodoro mode for cycles
  • Distracting app and website blocking
  • Calendar sync for sessions and reflections
  • Customizable themes and icons
  • Home Screen widgets and Shortcuts integration
Features
Read full description

Focus is built less on willpower and more on an environment that makes it easy to begin. Ultimate Focus is a simple focus timer designed with only the features you actually need for work and study. Manage separate sessions for each task, review your focus, use Pomodoro mode, block distracting apps, and sync your sessions with Calendar—all in one app. Features - Drag your finger to quickly set the timer. - Organize your focus time by separating sessions for different tasks. - Stay in rhythm with Pomodoro mode for natural cycles of focus and break. - Review how you focused with stats and reflection features. - Sync your focus sessions and reflections with the Calendar app. - Personalize the app with 70+ color themes and app icons. - Check your focus stats or start a timer right away from Home Screen widgets. - Start a timer using Shortcuts. - Block selected apps and websites while you focus. - Use Habits to receive reminders at the times you want. - Customize notification sounds and background music to match your style. (Premium) - Sync and edit your focus records across devices with iCloud. (Premium) If you experience any issues while using the app, have questions, or find a bug, please contact us anytime at hello@ultimatefocus.app. Terms of Use : https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Be Focused Pro4 screens
Ultimate Focus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Ultimate Focus at Free against Be Focused Pro's $19.99. Ultimate Focus also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months) and device support (6 vs 3). Be Focused Pro's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (3K vs 183). On rating, review sentiment, ads and iOS requirement 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

Ultimate Focus is free to download; Be Focused Pro costs $19.99 up front. Ultimate Focus sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Be Focused Pro asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Be Focused Pro against 4.6 for Ultimate Focus. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Be Focused Pro has 3K ratings behind it against 183, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of Be Focused Pro's written reviews are positive against 85% of Ultimate Focus's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Be Focused Pro ships an update every 5 months, Ultimate Focus every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Be Focused Pro versus Ultimate Focus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBe Focused ProUltimate Focus
Price$19.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (3K ratings)4.6 (183 ratings)
Positive reviews80.6% of reviews85.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3K — better183
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB92 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDenys IevenkoStonicSolution

Customer experience

Be Focused Pro

All ratings2,972 ratings
Positive92.6%
Neutral2.9%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews494 reviews
Positive80.6%
Neutral8.1%
Negative11.3%

Ultimate Focus

All ratings183 ratings
Positive90.2%
Neutral4.4%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews94 reviews
Positive85.1%
Neutral5.3%
Negative9.6%

User reviews

Be Focused Pro

From 3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Helps stay focused
  • 👍 Simple and easy to use
  • 🚀 Keeps me on track
  • 👍 Great for productivity
  • 🚀 Customizable timers

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Sync issues between devices
  • 🐛 Notifications not working as expected
  • 🐛 Timers not always accurate
  • 🐛 Buggy and unreliable
  • 🐛 Resets progress randomly

Ultimate Focus

From 183 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and intuitive UI
  • ✨ Beautiful and clean aesthetic
  • ⌚️ Apple Watch integration
  • 📊 Useful analytics and statistics
  • 🖱️ Menu bar timer display

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Pomodoro mode not working for some
  • 🐛 Timer not movable after exiting desktop app
  • 🐛 Session switching on iPhone is confusing
  • 🐛 Subscription not as advertised
  • 🐛 Shortcuts only allow one section selection

Bugs and requests

Be Focused Pro

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Sync issues causing data loss
  • Timers not working correctly
  • Notifications not triggering on silent mode
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching devices

Requested features

6 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Ability to set custom timers per task
  • Option to skip or pause breaks
  • Integration with Apple Watch complications
  • Better reporting and analytics
Show 1 more
  • Ability to import tasks from other apps

Ultimate Focus

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • Pomodoro mode not working
  • Timer not movable after exiting desktop app
  • Session switching on iPhone is confusing
  • Shortcuts only allow one section selection
  • Default timer is always 25 min
Show 12 more
  • Restarting phone requires re-onboarding
  • Alarm sound is too short
  • Icon cannot be moved on home screen
  • Timer doesn't record if stopped early
  • Timer end memo sometimes doesn't display
  • Keynote doesn't show timer overlay
  • App volume cannot be adjusted
  • Dock icon cannot be hidden
  • Sync issues across devices
  • Apple Watch timer stops when screen dims
  • Apple Watch app lacks break timer
  • Timer not resetting correctly

Requested features

37 requests
  • Pause and resume timer functionality
  • Guide website for usage
  • Option to purchase premium
  • Improve iPhone session switching clarity
  • Pomodoro mode without breaks
Show 32 more
  • Ability to add time manually after forgetting to start
  • Count-up (stopwatch) mode
  • Ability to choose own theming colors
  • Weekly report with productivity insights
  • AI to break down trends
  • Continuous timer alarm sound until dismissed
  • Real-time widget for specific sessions
  • Ability to set default timer per session
  • Option to change daily reset time (e.g., 2 AM instead of midnight)
  • Show current time on Apple Watch timer screen
  • Option to hide numbers on menu bar timer
  • Option to have timer circle represent full visual space regardless of duration
  • Ability to run multiple timers simultaneously
  • Bar graph option for timer visualization
  • Stopwatch mode for flexible time tracking
  • Option to change time cycle for daily reset
  • One-time purchase option for premium
  • More sound themes or custom color themes
  • Option to disable retrospect pop-up
  • Digital display option for timer
  • Adjustable alarm volume within the app
  • Option to hide app icon from dock
  • Tutorial for Pomodoro mode settings
  • Option to make timer display on Keynote
  • Sync session and retrospect lists across devices
  • Improve Apple Watch app functionality (e.g., break timer)
  • Option to set timer for over 60 minutes
  • Option to reset timer to start from beginning
  • Option to have timer on every desktop
  • Option to show only icon on menu bar
  • Invert clock colors for focus and break times
  • Ability to change timer duration for each session individually

In-app purchases

None

Be Focused Pro

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Ultimate Focus

Subscriptions3
  • Ultimate Focus - Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Ultimate Focus - Annual7 Days trial$17.991 Year
  • Ultimate Focus - Annual$17.991 Year
One-time1
  • Ultimate Focus - Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is Be Focused Pro free?
Be Focused Pro costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ultimate Focus free?
Ultimate Focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Be Focused Pro or Ultimate Focus?
Be Focused Pro and Ultimate Focus are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3K and 183 ratings respectively.
Do Be Focused Pro or Ultimate Focus have ads?
Neither Be Focused Pro nor Ultimate Focus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Be Focused Pro or Ultimate Focus?
Be Focused Pro ships an update every 5 months, and Ultimate Focus every 3 weeks. Most recently, Be Focused Pro was updated on September 24, 2026 and Ultimate Focus on September 22, 2026.

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