# Be Focused vs Pomodoro Timer

The clearest difference is ads: Pomodoro Timer at none against Be Focused's shown. Pomodoro Timer also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 5 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). Be Focused's advantage is ratings volume (4.3K vs 96). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Be Focused sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Pomodoro Timer sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Be Focused against 4.7 for Pomodoro Timer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Be Focused has 4.3K ratings behind it against 96, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 89% of Be Focused's written reviews are positive against 85% of Pomodoro Timer's.

Be Focused ships an update every 5 months, Pomodoro Timer every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Be Focused | Pomodoro Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (4.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/be-focused-deep-focus-timer/id973130201/reviews) | **[4.7 (96 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pomodoro-timer-foca/id1526204217/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **4.3K** | 96 |
| Positive reviews | **88.9% of reviews** | 85.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 38 MB | 96 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPod, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Denys Ievenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/427936468) | [Yating Lu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1526204219) |

## What reviewers say

### Be Focused

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/be-focused-deep-focus-timer/id973130201)

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:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Pro | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly Pro | $19.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Pro | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- Timer resets unexpectedly
- Timers not syncing correctly across devices
- Notifications not always working as expected

**Requested features**

- 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 Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pomodoro-timer-foca/id1526204217)

This app offers a minimalist Pomodoro timer designed to boost productivity and well-being. It integrates focus sessions with stretching exercises and ambient sounds to enhance concentration and prevent burnout. Track your progress with detailed statistics and categorize your focus sessions for better insights.

**Highlights:** Customizable Pomodoro timer, Integrated stretching exercises, Ambient soundscapes for focus, Detailed focus statistics, Customizable focus categories, Ad-free experience

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Foca Plus macOS (per month) | $1.99 | per month |
| Foca Plus macOS (per year) | $9.99 | per year |
| Unlock customisable categories | $2.99 | one-time |
| Unlock full statistics reports | $2.99 | one-time |
| Unlock customizable auto-run | $2.99 | one-time |
| Unlock extra ambient sound | $4.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Purchase | $9.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Purchase on macOS | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and functional
- 👍 Great for studying
- 👍 No ads
- 👍 Customizable timers
- 👍 Guided stretches

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Session resets when app is closed or phone dies
- 🐛 No notifications or sounds when session ends
- 🐛 Basic analytics are terrible (only week view)
- 🐛 Atrocious value for premium analytics
- 🐛 Cannot set focus time less than 10 minutes

**Reported bugs**

- Session progress not saved when app is closed or phone dies
- No notifications or sounds when focus session ends
- Cannot configure background notification settings
- Focus time slider does not allow setting less than 10 minutes
- App causes high CPU usage/performance issues

**Requested features**

- Widget option
- Ability to choose own playlist for background sounds
- Apple Watch compatibility
- Different sounds for session end/break start
- More calming sounds (ASMR, brown noise, piano music)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Be Focused free?

Be Focused is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Pomodoro Timer free?

Pomodoro Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Be Focused or Pomodoro Timer?

Pomodoro Timer is rated higher. Be Focused averages 4.7 out of 5 from 4.3K ratings, while Pomodoro Timer averages 4.7 from 96 ratings.

### Do Be Focused or Pomodoro Timer have ads?

Be Focused shows ads; Pomodoro Timer does not.

### Which is updated more often, Be Focused or Pomodoro Timer?

Be Focused ships an update every 5 months, and Pomodoro Timer every 4 weeks. Most recently, Be Focused was updated on September 24, 2026 and Pomodoro Timer on September 16, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*