Comparison

Be Focused vs Pomo Simple 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

Pomo Simple Timer

This minimalist timer app helps boost productivity by implementing the Pomodoro Technique. It features customizable work and break sessions, progress tracking, and smart notifications to help you build lasting focus habits.

Highlights
  • Minimalist timer interface
  • Customizable work and break durations
  • Statistics tracking with charts
  • Streak counter for habit building
  • Smart notifications and sound alerts
  • Background and dark mode support
Features
Read full description

Pomo is a beautifully designed Pomodoro timer app that helps you boost productivity and maintain focus. Built with a clean, minimalist interface, Pomo makes it easy to implement the proven Pomodoro Technique in your daily workflow. Key Features: Simple Timer Interface - Clean, distraction-free design with visual progress indicator Work & Break Sessions - Automatically alternates between work periods and breaks Customizable Durations - Adjust work, short break, and long break periods to fit your needs Statistics Tracking - Monitor your daily and weekly productivity with detailed charts Streak Counter - Track consecutive days of productivity to build lasting habits Smart Notifications - Get notified when sessions end, even when the app is in background Sound Alerts - Optional audio notifications for session completion Background Mode - Timer continues running when you switch apps Dark Mode Support - Seamlessly adapts to your device's appearance settings Perfect for students, professionals, and anyone looking to improve their focus and time management. The app follows the classic 25-minute work / 5-minute break cycle, with longer breaks after every 4 sessions.

Screenshots

Be Focused4 screens
Pomo Simple Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pomo Simple Timer at none against Be Focused's 3. Pomo Simple Timer also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 months). Be Focused's advantage is ratings volume (4.3K vs 1). On price, device support 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. Pomo Simple Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pomo Simple Timer holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Be Focused has 4.3K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Be Focused ships an update every 5 months, Pomo Simple Timer every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Be Focused versus Pomo Simple Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBe FocusedPomo Simple Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (4.3K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings4.3K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDenys IevenkoCHRISTIAN DANIEL ARZALUZ TELLEZ

Customer experience

Be Focused

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

Pomo Simple Timer

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Pomo Simple Timer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
None

Pomo Simple Timer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Be Focused free?
Be Focused is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pomo Simple Timer free?
Pomo Simple Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Be Focused or Pomo Simple Timer?
Pomo Simple Timer is rated higher. Be Focused averages 4.7 out of 5 from 4.3K ratings, while Pomo Simple Timer averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Be Focused or Pomo Simple Timer have ads?
Be Focused shows ads; Pomo Simple Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Be Focused or Pomo Simple Timer?
Be Focused ships an update every 5 months, and Pomo Simple Timer every 2 weeks. Most recently, Be Focused was updated on October 10, 2026 and Pomo Simple Timer on September 24, 2026.

Other comparisons