Comparison

Be Focused vs Pomodoro Focus Timer

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

Head to head
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.

About

Pomodoro Focus Timer

This app combines a minimalist timer with a to-do list to enhance focus and productivity. It utilizes the Pomodoro Technique to help users manage tasks and work sessions effectively, offering customizable breaks and session lengths. Real-time syncing ensures your progress is available across all your Apple devices.

Highlights
  • Customizable focus and break sessions
  • Integrated to-do list with task pinning
  • Apple Watch app with complications
  • Home Screen & Lock Screen widgets
  • Live Activity and Dynamic Island support
  • Real-time iCloud sync
  • Focus session statistics and heatmap
Features
Read full description

Focus better. Do more. One beautifully simple app. Pomodoro Focus Timer combines a clean, minimal work timer with a built-in to-do list — so you can plan your tasks and stay focused without juggling separate apps. Built on the proven Pomodoro Technique, it helps you work and study with minimal distraction and maximum productivity, whether you're at the office, in class, or working from home. No clutter. No noise. Just you and your next focus session. HOW IT WORKS 1. Add the tasks you want to work on 2. Pin a task to keep it front and center 3. Start the timer (the classic 25 minutes — or set your own) 4. Take a 5-minute break when it rings (fully customizable) 5. Mark your task complete and repeat A TIMER THAT WORKS THE WAY YOU DO • Customizable focus sessions, short breaks, and long breaks • Auto-start your next break or session — stay in flow, hands-free • Long breaks after every few sessions, on your schedule • Pause, skip, or reset anytime • Keep-screen-on mode and optional completion sounds • A simple, minimal timer that gets out of your way BUILT-IN TO-DO LIST • Add, edit, reorder, and complete tasks in seconds • Pin your most important task to the timer screen • Swipe to complete — or check tasks off right from a widget • Your tasks, always in sync across your devices FULL APPLE WATCH APP • Start, pause, stop, and skip the timer from your wrist • Add tasks and mark them complete — no iPhone needed • Watch face complications for timer, tasks, and your streak • Use your watch as a remote for the timer on your phone WIDGETS & LIVE ACTIVITIES • Home Screen & Lock Screen widgets for timer, tasks, and stats • Live Activity + Dynamic Island — see your countdown and pinned task at a glance • Control Center timer toggle (iOS 18) • Tap to play, pause, skip, or complete a task right from a widget STATS THAT KEEP YOU MOTIVATED • Track focus sessions for today and all-time • Current streak and best streak • GitHub-style activity heatmap • Scrubbable charts by day, week, month, and year • See your most-worked-on tasks and personalized insights SIRI SHORTCUTS • "Hey Siri, start a focus timer" — go completely hands-free SYNCS EVERYWHERE • Real-time iCloud sync across iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch • Your tasks, settings, and stats follow you everywhere MADE TO BLEND IN • Beautiful Dark Mode everywhere • 8 accent colors to match your style • Clean, distraction-free design Whether you're studying for exams, powering through deep work, or just trying to beat procrastination, Pomodoro Focus Timer is the simple, minimal productivity companion that keeps you on track. Terms of Use: https://pawan.info/legal/pomodoro/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://pawan.info/legal/pomodoro/privacy.html

Screenshots

Be Focused4 screens
Pomodoro Focus Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Pomodoro Focus Timer at none against Be Focused's shown. Pomodoro Focus Timer also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months). Be Focused's advantage is ratings volume (4.3K vs 294) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, review sentiment and in-app purchases 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. Be Focused sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Pomodoro Focus Timer sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pomodoro Focus Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Be Focused has 4.3K ratings behind it against 294, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 89% of Be Focused's written reviews are positive against 82% of Pomodoro Focus Timer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Be Focused ships an update every 5 months, Pomodoro Focus Timer monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Be Focused versus Pomodoro Focus Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBe FocusedPomodoro Focus Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (4.3K ratings)4.9 (294 ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.9% of reviews — better82.4% of reviews
Number of ratings4.3K — better294
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsMonthly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB60 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDenys IevenkoPawanpreet Singh

Customer experience

Be Focused

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

Pomodoro Focus Timer

All ratings294 ratings
Positive96.9%
Neutral2.0%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews68 reviews
Positive82.4%
Neutral7.4%
Negative10.3%

User reviews

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

Pomodoro Focus Timer

From 294 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✨ Clean, minimalist design
  • 👍 Simple and intuitive interface
  • 💰 Completely free with no ads
  • ⏱️ Effective focus and productivity tool
  • 🎯 Core Pomodoro functionality works well

Room to improve

  • 🔔 Notification sound too quiet/similar to other alerts
  • 🐛 Timer stops when screen locks
  • ⌚ Apple Watch notifications unreliable
  • 🎨 No dark theme option
  • 🔋 Battery drain concerns

Bugs and requests

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

Pomodoro Focus Timer

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • Timer doesn't work when screen is off or app is in background
  • Apple Watch notifications don't arrive until app is reopened
  • Pause/resume function doesn't actually pause the timer
  • App crashes occasionally
  • Tasks with similar names don't create properly
Show 4 more
  • Pomodoro counter resets at 500
  • Creating tasks can be glitchy
  • Timer doesn't stay running on Apple Watch
  • Notification doesn't trigger until app is opened

Requested features

15 requests
  • Dark theme/dark mode
  • Vibration option on timer completion
  • Horizontal/landscape mode support
  • Background sound options (rain, ocean waves, etc.)
  • Customizable notification sounds and volume
Show 10 more
  • Statistics and activity tracking (daily/weekly/monthly charts)
  • Task history and suggestions
  • Continuous timer option
  • App blocker for distraction prevention
  • Mac version with sync capability
  • Donation option in app
  • Tips section for Pomodoro technique
  • Reset to default button
  • Queue tasks from timer screen
  • Keep timer running when app is closed

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
6 purchases

Pomodoro Focus Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Pomodoro Pro (Monthly)3 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Pomodoro Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time4
  • Snack-Sized Tip$3.99
  • Lunch-sized Tip$9.99
  • Pizza-sized Tip$14.99
Show 1 more
  • Pomodoro Pro - Lifetime$29.99

Questions

Is Be Focused free?
Be Focused is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pomodoro Focus Timer free?
Pomodoro Focus Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Be Focused or Pomodoro Focus Timer?
Pomodoro Focus Timer is rated higher. Be Focused averages 4.7 out of 5 from 4.3K ratings, while Pomodoro Focus Timer averages 4.9 from 294 ratings.
Do Be Focused or Pomodoro Focus Timer have ads?
Be Focused shows ads; Pomodoro Focus Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Be Focused or Pomodoro Focus Timer?
Be Focused ships an update every 5 months, and Pomodoro Focus Timer monthly. Most recently, Be Focused was updated on September 19, 2026 and Pomodoro Focus Timer on September 8, 2026.

Other comparisons