# Be Focused vs Timer

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.

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.

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.

Be Focused ships an update every 5 months, Timer every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Be Focused | Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (4.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/be-focused-deep-focus-timer/id973130201/reviews)** | [4.4 (442 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timer-minimal-timer/id1661418622/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4.3K** | 442 |
| Positive reviews | **88.9% of reviews** | 20.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 38 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Denys Ievenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/427936468) | [Studio 1J, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1639917300) |

## 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


### Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timer-minimal-timer/id1661418622)

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:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Minimal Timer+ | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Minimal Timer+ | $19.99 | per 7 days |
| Minimal Timer+ | $79.00 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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 24, 2026 and Timer on September 21, 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.*