# Focus vs Focused Work

The clearest difference is monetization model: Focused Work at free with in-app purchases against Focus's subscription. Focused Work also leads on review sentiment (85% vs 57%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). Focus's advantage is ratings volume (1.8K vs 603). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Focus sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Focused Work sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Focused Work holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.8K and 603 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of Focus's written reviews are positive against 85% of Focused Work's.

Focus ships an update every 10 days, Focused Work weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Focus | Focused Work |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-deep-work-timer/id975017240/reviews) | **[4.7 (603 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focused-work-pomodoro-timer/id1523968394/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.8K** | 603 |
| Positive reviews | 57.2% of reviews | **84.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 302 MB | 155 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Meaningful Things GmbH & Co. KG](https://appshunter.io/developer/896347016) | [Michael Tigas](https://appshunter.io/developer/1364337001) |

## 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


### Focused Work

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focused-work-pomodoro-timer/id1523968394)

This app helps users improve focus and productivity through structured timed sessions. It offers customizable timers, goal setting, and distraction blocking to build healthy work habits.

**Highlights:** Customizable focus sessions, Pomodoro and Flowmodoro templates, Distraction blocking, Reflection and goal tracking, Statistics and charts, Live Activities and widgets

**Features:** Safari Extension, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Focused Work Pro (1 month) | $2.99 | per month |
| Focused Work Pro - Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Focused Work Pro (1 month) | $6.99 | per month |
| Focused Work Pro (1 year) | $19.99 | per year |
| Focused Work Pro - Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Focused Work Pro (1 year) | $39.99 | per year |
| Little Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Small Tip | $1.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $9.99 | one-time |
| Massive Tip | $19.99 | one-time |
| Focused Work Pro Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |
| Focused Work Pro Lifetime | $89.99 | one-time |
| Focused Work Pro Lifetime | $119.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 GAME CHANGER
- 👍 Good app
- 👍 Good Product
- 🚀 Phenomenal
- 👍 Great productivity app!

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Shouldn't be a subscription
- 🐛 Reminders are annoying
- 🔒 Stop nagging people for reviews
- 🔒 App for iwatch is still missing in 2025.
- 🔒 Could be an amazing timer

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Stuck on a session: Gap time
- Desktop doesn't sync with phone

**Requested features**

- Need iwatch app
- Calendar integration?
- Dark mode option
- Advanced analytics dashboard


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Focus free?

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

### Is Focused Work free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Focus or Focused Work?

Focused Work is rated higher. Focus averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while Focused Work averages 4.7 from 603 ratings.

### Do Focus or Focused Work have ads?

Neither Focus nor Focused Work shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Focus or Focused Work?

Focus ships an update every 10 days, and Focused Work weekly. Most recently, Focus was updated on October 13, 2026 and Focused Work on October 7, 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.*