Comparison

Be Focused vs 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

Timer

This app offers a simple and intuitive way to manage your time for various activities. Set custom timers, utilize quick presets, and adjust alarm volumes to suit your needs. Stay on track with home screen widgets and an optional ambient ticking sound.

Highlights
  • Easy timer setting
  • Customizable presets
  • Adjustable alarm volume
  • Ambient ticking sound option
  • Home screen widgets
  • Flexible subscription options
Features
Read full description

Meet Minimal Timer, your perfect companion for all your timing needs. This easy-to-use timer app helps you stay focused and manage your time well, whether you're working, studying, cooking, or just need a gentle reminder. We've designed it to be simple and helpful, so you can do more with less fuss. Set Timers with Ease: With Minimal Timer, setting a timer is straightforward and quick. You can easily set your desired duration in minutes or hours using the clear, easy-to-use keypad interface. Simply type in the time you need, and you're ready to go. If you often use the same times, you'll also love our selection of handy presets that get you started quickly. Or, if you need something specific, you can customize your own timers to fit any activity. Minimal Timer is built to be flexible for your everyday life. Custom Presets: Create and save your own frequently used timer durations. Whether it's for a 25-minute focus session, a 7-minute workout, or a 30-minute cooking reminder, you can set it once and use it again and again with just a tap. This makes starting your favorite timers super quick and easy. Custom Alarm Volume: Adjust your alarm sound to be just right for any situation. Whether you need a loud reminder to get your attention or a quiet chime that won't disturb others, you're in control. This means your timer will always alert you exactly how you want it to. Ambient Ticking Sound: If you like to feel time passing, you can turn on an optional, gentle ticking sound. This subtle feature can help you stay aware of the duration and maintain your focus, creating a calm and productive environment without being distracting. Widgets: Keep an eye on your timers right from your home screen. Our handy widgets let you see your active timers at a glance, so you're always updated on your progress without needing to open the app. It's a convenient way to stay on track throughout your day. Subscription & Cancellation: Enjoy flexible subscription options for premium features. Your payment is charged to your Apple account when you confirm your purchase, and subscriptions renew automatically unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the current period ends. If you start with a free trial, it will switch to a paid subscription unless canceled before the trial is over. You can easily manage or cancel your subscription anytime through your Apple account settings. Ready to make managing your time a breeze? Minimal Timer is designed for everyone, with a clean look and straightforward features that just work. Give it a try today and enjoy the convenience of a reliable and simple timer tool! Terms of Use & Privacy Policy: https://regular-wednesday-69a.notion.site/Terms-of-Use-2b99efd494008031afe9f5cc09712f48 https://regular-wednesday-69a.notion.site/Privacy-Policy-2b79efd4940080e1b734f1af1d853ddb

Screenshots

Be Focused4 screens
Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Be Focused at 89% against Timer's 20%. Be Focused also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). Timer's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 5 months). On price, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Be Focused sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Timer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Be Focused holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Be Focused has 4.3K ratings behind it against 442, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of Be Focused's written reviews are positive against 20% of Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Be Focused ships an update every 5 months, Timer every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Be Focused versus Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBe FocusedTimer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (4.3K ratings) — better4.4 (442 ratings)
Positive reviews88.9% of reviews — better20.0% of reviews
Number of ratings4.3K — better442
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDenys IevenkoStudio 1J, LLC

Customer experience

Be Focused

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

Timer

All ratings442 ratings
Positive84.2%
Neutral2.9%
Negative12.9%
Written reviews35 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral2.9%
Negative77.1%

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

Timer

From 442 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Minimal and simple design
  • 👍 Great for meditation timers
  • 👍 Custom volume feature
  • 👍 Sleek and wonderful app
  • 👍 Imposes discipline for time monitoring

Room to improve

  • 💸 Extremely high weekly subscription cost
  • 💸 Unfair trial requiring subscription
  • 💸 Predatory pricing model
  • 💸 No free version for basic use
  • 💸 App is too expensive

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

Timer

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App swirls for over a minute before loading
  • No widgets found after paying for subscription
  • Unable to get past the first screen without subscribing

Requested features

4 requests
  • Allow limited access to try before subscribing
  • Add an option to control the timer from the widget
  • Add shortcuts support for setting and naming timers
  • Add a 24-hour timer option

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
3 purchases

Timer

Subscriptions3
  • Minimal Timer+3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Minimal Timer+3 Days trial$19.997 Days
  • Minimal Timer+3 variants$79.001 Year

Questions

Is Be Focused free?
Be Focused is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Timer free?
Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Be Focused or Timer?
Be Focused is rated higher. Be Focused averages 4.7 out of 5 from 4.3K ratings, while Timer averages 4.4 from 442 ratings.
Do Be Focused or Timer have ads?
Be Focused shows ads; Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Be Focused or Timer?
Be Focused ships an update every 5 months, and Timer every 4 days. Most recently, Be Focused was updated on September 19, 2026 and Timer on September 21, 2026.

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