# Focus vs Pomodoro

The clearest difference is monetization model: Pomodoro at free with in-app purchases against Focus's subscription. Pomodoro also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (11K vs 1.8K). Focus's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 10 days vs monthly). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Focus sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Pomodoro sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Pomodoro holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pomodoro has 11K ratings behind it against 1.8K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 57% of Focus's written reviews are positive against 50% of Pomodoro's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Focus ships an update every 10 days, Pomodoro monthly. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Focus | Pomodoro |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-deep-work-timer/id975017240/reviews) | **[4.7 (11K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pomodoro-focus-timer/id1265128036/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1.8K | **11K** |
| Positive reviews | **56.9% of reviews** | 50.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 301 MB | 106 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Meaningful Things GmbH & Co. KG](https://appshunter.io/developer/896347016) | [DelightApps Corp.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1634225208) |

## What reviewers say

### Focus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-deep-work-timer/id975017240)

This app helps users improve concentration and productivity by breaking work into structured intervals with scheduled breaks. It offers task management, detailed statistics, and syncs across all Apple devices, including Apple Watch and widgets.

**Highlights:** Customizable Pomodoro timer, Unlimited to-do lists, In-depth productivity statistics, iCloud sync across Apple devices, Lock Screen and Home Screen widgets, Apple Watch app

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Focus - Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Focus - 3 Months | $14.99 | per 3 months |
| Focus Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Focus Yearly | $27.99 | per year |
| Focus Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Focus Early Bird | $29.99 | per year |
| Focus Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Focus Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Patron Subscription | $59.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Time tracking
- 👍 Minimalist design
- 🚀 Seamless cross-device sync
- 👍 Helpful for productivity
- 👍 Great for Pomodoro technique

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🐛 Sync issues between devices
- 🐛 Unreliable notifications
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🐛 Forced to pay for basic functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Infinite intro screen
- Prompts to set up app on every open
- Timer resets unexpectedly
- Sync issues between iPhone, iPad, and Watch
- Notifications not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Ability to duplicate tasks
- Calendar integration
- Background sounds
- Customizable timer lengths
- Automatic focus mode switching


### Pomodoro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pomodoro-focus-timer/id1265128036)

Enhance your focus and productivity with a timer that breaks work into intervals. This app helps you manage tasks using the Pomodoro technique, offering customizable timers, relaxing sounds, and progress tracking. It supports various Apple devices and works offline.

**Highlights:** Pomodoro technique timer, Customizable intervals, Relaxing sound player, iOS widgets and Apple Watch support, Task management, Progress tracking, White noise integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Club | $0.99 | per month |
| Pomodoro - premium | $1.99 | per month |
| Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Premium | $7.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime premium | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Simple and efficient
- 🎨 Customizable timers and sounds
- 📊 Helpful statistics and tracking
- 👍 Effective for productivity and focus

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy notifications and timers
- 💰 Too many features locked behind paywall
- 🔇 Unreliable audio playback
- 🔍 Lacking basic functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Timer stops counting when switching apps
- Notifications not working consistently
- Premium features not functioning as expected
- App crashing or freezing on certain devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to sync timers across devices
- More customization options for backgrounds and sounds
- Improved statistics and reporting
- Better support and communication from developers


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Focus free?

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

### Is Pomodoro free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Focus or Pomodoro?

Pomodoro is rated higher. Focus averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while Pomodoro averages 4.7 from 11K ratings.

### Do Focus or Pomodoro have ads?

Pomodoro shows ads; Focus does not.

### Which is updated more often, Focus or Pomodoro?

Focus ships an update every 10 days, and Pomodoro monthly. Most recently, Focus was updated on September 23, 2026 and Pomodoro on September 23, 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.*