# Focus vs Focus Watch

The clearest difference is monetization model: Focus Watch at free with in-app purchases against Focus's subscription. Focus Watch also leads on review sentiment (83% vs 57%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). Focus's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (1.8K vs 110). 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 Watch sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Focus Watch holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Focus has 1.8K ratings behind it against 110, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of Focus's written reviews are positive against 83% of Focus Watch's.

Focus ships an update every 10 days, Focus Watch every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Focus | Focus Watch |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-deep-work-timer/id975017240/reviews) | **[4.7 (110 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-watch-stay-focused/id976335336/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.8K** | 110 |
| Positive reviews | 57.3% of reviews | **82.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 311 MB | 72 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **9.3** |
| 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) | [Andrii Zborovskyi](https://appshunter.io/developer/649204749) |

## 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 Watch

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-watch-stay-focused/id976335336)

Enhance productivity with a task planning and focus timer. Track your progress with insightful charts and receive background notifications. Sync sessions across devices for seamless workflow management.

**Highlights:** Task planning and management, Customizable work and break timers, Background session timer with alarms, Progress tracking with insightful charts, Cross-device session syncing, Apple Watch support

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Focus Watch Pro Version | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 🚀 Increases productivity
- 👍 Helps stay focused
- 👍 Good for time management
- 👍 Works well with Apple Watch

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Customization options lacking
- 👎 Inconsistent notifications
- 👎 Alarm volume too low/inaudible with earphones
- 👎 Watch app limited (viewer only)
- 👎 No watch face complications

**Reported bugs**

- Break mode doesn't work
- Reset counter button doesn't work
- Inaccurate history data (missing days)
- Alarm doesn't sound through earphones
- Notifications are inconsistent

**Requested features**

- Allow customization of time chunks (e.g., 50 min work, 10 min break)
- Add a ticking sound option
- Improve alarm volume and persistence
- Enable independent use of the Apple Watch app with full functionality
- Add Apple Watch face complications


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Focus free?

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

### Is Focus Watch free?

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

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

Focus Watch is rated higher. Focus averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while Focus Watch averages 4.7 from 110 ratings.

### Do Focus or Focus Watch have ads?

Neither Focus nor Focus Watch shows ads.

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

Focus ships an update every 10 days, and Focus Watch every 2 months. Most recently, Focus was updated on November 11, 2026 and Focus Watch on November 2, 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.*
