# Focus vs Watchsmith

The clearest difference is monetization model: Watchsmith at freemium against Focus's subscription. Watchsmith also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 10 days) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). Focus's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 3.9) and review sentiment (57% vs 38%). On price, ads, 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 Watchsmith sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Focus holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.8K and 563 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of Focus's written reviews are positive against 38% of Watchsmith's.

Focus ships an update every 10 days, Watchsmith every 4 days. Both last shipped on September 27, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Focus | Watchsmith |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-deep-work-timer/id975017240/reviews)** | [3.9 (563 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/watchsmith/id1483088503/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.8K** | 563 |
| Positive reviews | **56.9% of reviews** | 38.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Freemium** |
| Size | 301 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Meaningful Things GmbH & Co. KG](https://appshunter.io/developer/896347016) | [Cross Forward Consulting, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/295660206) |

## 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


### Watchsmith

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/watchsmith/id1483088503)

Personalize your Apple Watch with customizable complications that can dynamically change throughout the day. Access a variety of tools like weather, workouts, and a timezone converter directly from your watch.

**Highlights:** Customizable complications, Dynamic complication scheduling, Weather app, Workout app, Timezone converter, Games, Calendar

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Watchsmith Premium (Monthly) | $1.99 | per month |
| Watchsmith Premium (Annual) | $19.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Customizable complications
- 👍 Simplifies date complication
- 🌟 Indispensable app
- 🎨 Fun to customize
- 💡 Innovative features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Complications don't update frequently
- 🔌 Battery life issues
- 🤔 Confusing UI and instructions
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🕰️ Time complications not accurate

**Reported bugs**

- Complications not syncing properly
- App freezes on Apple Watch
- Weather location stuck on LA
- Shared calendar issues

**Requested features**

- Add support for Series 7 and Apple Watch Ultra
- Hourly weather complication
- Year complication
- Celsius temperature option
- Third-party app complications support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Focus free?

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

### Is Watchsmith free?

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

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

Focus is rated higher. Focus averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while Watchsmith averages 3.9 from 563 ratings.

### Do Focus or Watchsmith have ads?

Neither Focus nor Watchsmith shows ads.

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

Focus ships an update every 10 days, and Watchsmith every 4 days. Most recently, Focus was updated on September 27, 2026 and Watchsmith on September 27, 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.*