# Focus vs Focus Lock

The clearest difference is rating: Focus Lock at 5.0 against Focus's 4.4. Focus Lock also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 10 days). Focus's advantage is ratings volume (1.8K vs 1). 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 Focus Lock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Focus Lock holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Focus has 1.8K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Focus ships an update every 10 days, Focus Lock every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Focus | Focus Lock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-deep-work-timer/id975017240/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-lock-block-apps/id6504156620/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.8K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 56.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 301 MB | 55 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Meaningful Things GmbH & Co. KG](https://appshunter.io/developer/896347016) | [Konstantinos Meletiou](https://appshunter.io/developer/1513992918) |

## 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


### Focus Lock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-lock-block-apps/id6504156620)

Enhance concentration and achieve goals with customizable focus timers and distraction blocking. This tool offers ambient sounds, motivational quotes, and cross-platform support to optimize your workflow for deep work or short bursts of productivity.

**Highlights:** Block distracting apps, Customizable focus and break sessions, Ambient sounds for concentration, Motivational quotes via widgets, Cross-platform support (iOS, iPadOS, macOS)

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Focus Lock Pro - Monthly | $0.99 | per month |
| Focus Lock Pro - Yearly | $7.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Focus free?

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

### Is Focus Lock free?

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

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

Focus Lock is rated higher. Focus averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while Focus Lock averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Focus or Focus Lock have ads?

Neither Focus nor Focus Lock shows ads.

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

Focus ships an update every 10 days, and Focus Lock every 5 days. Most recently, Focus was updated on September 23, 2026 and Focus Lock on September 19, 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.*