The Focus Apps Insider’s Guide
Every one of the 66 focus apps we grade in one document: the top three, what they cost, the grades and the full list. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Focus Apps
The Insider’s Guide
Blockers, timers and focus music that protect your attention.
- ScreenZen
- Forest
- Endel
- Flora
- Flow
- Foqos
Every one we grade, what they cost, the best buy at each budget and the three to look at first.
Checked Oct 9, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat these tools do, how many we grade and what to know before choosing
- 02Our top threeThe three we'd look at first, and who each one suits
- 03What they costWhat paid plans start at, the best buy at each budget and the free plans
- 04The gradesThe highest graded, and how the whole category does on each subject
- 05Keep or make?Which are worth paying for, and which you could make yourself
- 06Every toolAll of them, best graded first, with what each costs
- 07Quick answersThe questions people ask when choosing, each answered in a line or two
- 08About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from each tool’s own pages, their app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on the Focus Apps page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What these tools do, how many we grade and what to know before choosing
66
focus apps we grade, from their own pages
Blockers, timers and focus music that protect your attention.
Before you choose, here are 8 things to know about focus apps, worked out from every one we grade.
- 1
We grade 66 focus apps
54 of them are free or have a free plan, and 10 more let you try before paying. Everything in this guide comes from their own pages and our grades.
- 2
Paid plans start at $2.82 a month in the middle
From $0.83 (minimalist phone) to $35 (Caveday), going by what each one's paid plans start at.
- 3
Best value: ScreenZen
Nothing on our chart scores higher than it without costing more.
- 4
33 of 66 have iPhone and Android apps
21 run in a web browser and 14 have a Windows app. Check the one you need before you fall for anything.
- 5
The middle GPA is 2.6
15 score 3.0 or higher. The highest is ScreenZen, at 3.6.
- 6
Best free option: ScreenZen
ScreenZen has the highest GPA of the free ones, 3.6. Free app that delays and blocks distracting apps and sites.
- 7
45 worth keeping, 1 you could make
By our keep-or-make rules, 45 do something you couldn't reasonably build yourself, 1 are simple enough to make with an AI app builder, and 20 are a close call.
- 8
2 price changes in the past year
That's how many price moves we've recorded for focus apps in twelve months. Prices change, so check the maker's page before you pay.
Part 02 · Top three
Our top three
The three we'd look at first, and who each one suits
The three focus apps we'd look at first. First place suits the most people; second and third are the best picks for the people it leaves out. Each has an Insider's Guide of its own.
1st
3.6GPAScreenZen
Free
For: Most people
ScreenZen slows down or blocks distracting apps and websites: it can add a wait before an app opens, cut sessions short, set daily limits, block by schedule and lock its own settings so the limits are hard to undo. The whole app is free with no subscription, and it runs on iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows. Its iPhone and iPad app averages 4.9 from about 51,000 ratings. Know the limits: it is funded by donations, with optional tips listed from $5 to $40 on the US App Store, the Windows version is a direct download from ScreenZen's site, website blocking on Android relies on the Accessibility permission, and no Linux version or browser extension is listed.
The ScreenZen Insider’s Guide2nd
3.0GPAForest
Free plan · from $5.99/mo
For: People who want a timer that keeps them off their phone
Forest is a focus timer: a virtual tree grows while a session runs and dies if you leave to use other apps, and finished sessions fill a forest that records your focused time. The free plan on iPhone and Android includes the timer, Deep Focus app blocking, focus tracking and Plant Together rooms for shared sessions with friends. Its iPhone and iPad app averages 4.8 from about 49,500 ratings. It is second because it is built around the phone: no Mac or Windows app is listed, and on a computer it runs only as a Chrome or Firefox extension. Custom app allowlists, focus analytics and custom tags need Forest Plus, listed at $5.99 a month on the US App Store.
The Forest Insider’s Guide3rd
2.6GPAEndel
Free plan · from $6.99/mo
For: People who work better with background sound than silence
Endel generates soundscapes for focus, relaxation, sleep and movement in real time, adapting to inputs such as time of day, weather and heart rate, and its store listings say all soundscapes can be played offline. It runs on the web, Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android. Premium is $39.99 a year or $6.99 a month at Endel's web checkout, and its iPhone and iPad app averages 4.6 from about 33,900 ratings. It is third because it does a narrower job than the two above and its pricing is harder to pin down: the App Store listing confirms a Free Edition without saying what it includes, the Focus Timer needs Premium, and the US App Store lists 12 months at $119.99.
The Endel Insider’s Guide
Part 03 · Pricing
What they cost
What paid plans start at, the best buy at each budget and the free plans
$2.82
A month to start, in the middle of those that charge
Going by our grades, ScreenZen gives the most for the money among focus apps: no tool on this chart scores higher without costing more.
Paid plans start at a middle price of $2.82 a month across the 46 that charge, from $0.83 (minimalist phone) to $35 (Caveday). 10 more cost nothing at all.
20 of the 56 score above the category's average while starting at or below its middle price. 9 cost more than the middle price and score below the average.
The best buy at each budget
Free
ScreenZen
Costs nothing. Nothing at that price or less scores higher.
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 56 focus apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. The green line is the best score at each price.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
The best free ones
- 3.6
ScreenZen
Free
- 3.2
Flora
Free plan · Free plan · from $0.99
- 3.2
Flow
Free plan · Free plan · from $17.99/yr
- 3.2
Foqos
Free
- 3.2
myNoise
Free plan · Free plan · from $10 one-time
- 3.2
Noizio
Free plan · Free plan · from $2.99 one-time
Part 04 · Grades
The grades
The highest graded, and how the whole category does on each subject
3.6
The highest GPA, ScreenZen's
Every tool gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. Here are the 12 highest graded focus apps, then how the whole category does on each subject.
| Tool | Value | Free | Features | Ease | Platforms | GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ScreenZen | A | A | B | A | B | 3.6 |
| Flora | A | A | C | A | C | 3.2 |
| Flow | A | B | B | A | C | 3.2 |
| Foqos | A | A | C | A | C | 3.2 |
| myNoise | A | B | C | A | B | 3.2 |
| Noizio | A | A | C | B | B | 3.2 |
| StayFree | A | A | B | C | B | 3.2 |
| A Soft Murmur | A | B | C | B | B | 3.0 |
| Be Focused | A | B | C | A | C | 3.0 |
| Dark Noise | A | B | C | A | C | 3.0 |
| Forest | C | B | B | A | B | 3.0 |
| one sec | A | C | C | A | B | 3.0 |
How the whole category does
Each bar is every focus app we grade, cut by the letter it got on that subject.
- Value for moneyavg 2.8
- Free plan and trialavg 2.5
- Featuresavg 2.2
- Ease of useavg 3.1
- Platforms and integrationsavg 2.3
Part 05 · Keep or make
Keep or make?
Which are worth paying for, and which you could make yourself
1
Simple enough to make yourself, of 66
Some software does something you couldn’t reasonably build yourself. Some is simple enough that an AI app builder could make the core of it in an afternoon. Here’s where focus apps land, by the same rules for every tool.
45
Keep it
It does something you could not reasonably make for yourself, or it costs nothing.
20
Your call
You could make the core of it, and you would give something up.
1
You could make this
What it does is the kind of thing an AI app builder makes well, and it charges every month.
Worth keeping
ScreenZen
ScreenZen is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Flow
The plain part of Flow you could make: Pomodoro timer. What surrounds it you could not. The 5 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
Foqos
Foqos is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Noizio
The plain part of Noizio you could make: Pomodoro timer. What surrounds it you could not. The 4 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
You could make these yourself
- Flocus$60 a year
What each costs a year on its cheapest paid plan, which is what making your own would save. A judgement from each listing and our own testing.
Part 06 · Every tool
Every tool
All of them, best graded first, with what each costs
66
Tools, best graded first
Every focus app we grade, with its GPA and what it costs. Each one has a page of its own on toolgpa.com, with its Insider’s Guide.
- 1ScreenZenFree3.6
- 2FloraFree plan · from $0.993.2
- 3FlowFree plan · from $17.99/yr3.2
- 4FoqosFree3.2
- 5myNoiseFree plan · from $10 one-time3.2
- 6NoizioFree plan · from $2.99 one-time3.2
- 7StayFreeFree3.2
- 8A Soft MurmurFree plan · from $14.99/yr3.0
- 9Be FocusedFree plan · from $2.99/mo3.0
- 10Dark NoiseFree plan · from $2.99/mo3.0
- 11ForestFree plan · from $5.99/mo3.0
- 12one secFree plan · from $3.99/mo3.0
- 13PomofocusFree plan · from $3/mo3.0
- 14StayFocusdFree3.0
- 15YPTFree plan · from $2.99/mo3.0
- 16AppBlockFree plan · from $2.50/mo2.8
- 17BlanketFree2.8
- 18Cold Turkey BlockerFree plan · from $45 one-time2.8
- 19FocusmateFree plan · from $8/mo2.8
- 20JomoFree plan · from $2.49/mo2.8
- 21LeechBlock NGFree2.8
- 22OpalFree plan · from $8.29/mo2.8
- 23PomodorFree2.8
- 24SelfControlFree2.8
- 25TideFree plan · from $11.99/mo2.8
- 26ClearspaceFree plan · from $6.99/mo2.6
- 27EndelFree plan · from $6.99/mo2.6
- 28Focus FriendFree plan · from $3.99/mo2.6
- 29Focus KeeperFree plan · from $3.99/mo2.6
- 30Focus TimerFree2.6
- 31Focus To-DoFree plan · from $1.992.6
- 32LifeAtFree plan · from $8/mo2.6
- 33PomelloFree plan · from $20/yr2.6
- 34PortalFree plan · from $2.99/mo2.6
- 35RoundPieFree plan · from €2/mo2.6
- 36TomatoBarFree2.6
- 37BePresentFree plan · from $3.99/mo2.4
- 38BloomFrom $39 one-time2.4
- 39FocusFree trial · from $49 one-time2.4
- 40Focus BearFree plan · from $9.99/mo2.4
- 41focus.musicFree trial · from $3.33/mo2.4
- 42Focused WorkFree plan · from $4.99/mo2.4
- 43GoodtimeFree plan · from $6.99 one-time2.4
- 44minimalist phoneFree trial · from $2.99/mo2.4
- 45OttoFree plan · from $29/yr2.4
- 46Stay FocusedFree plan · from $3.99/mo2.4
- 47StudyStreamFree plan · from $1.99/mo2.4
- 48Vitamin-RFree trial · from $29.95 one-time2.4
- 49BlockSiteFree plan · from $3.99/mo2.2
- 50BrickFrom $59 one-time2.2
- 51DeepwrkFree trial · from $12/mo2.2
- 52EngrossFree plan · from $5.992.2
- 53FlocusFree plan · from $5/mo2.2
- 54FLOWNFree plan · from $19/mo2.2
- 55FocusMeFree plan · from $9.95/mo2.2
- 56FreedomFree plan · from $3.33/mo2.2
- 57HazeOverFree trial · from $4.99 one-time2.2
- 58NoisliFree plan · from $10/mo2.2
- 59RegainFree plan · from $9.99/mo2.2
- 60SessionFree plan · from $3.33/mo2.2
- 61UnpluqFree plan · from $6.99/mo2.2
- 62Brain.fmFree trial · from $99.99/yr2.0
- 63Flow ClubFree trial · from $33.33/mo2.0
- 64Focus - Deep Work TimerFree plan · from $6.99/mo2.0
- 65SukhaFree trial · from $20/mo2.0
- 66CavedayFree trial · from $35/mo1.6
Part 07 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask when choosing, each answered in a line or two
9
Questions, each answered in a line or two
What are the best focus apps?
ScreenZen first, Forest second, Endel third. ScreenZen is for most people.
Which focus apps give the most for the money?
ScreenZen. Each is the highest-scoring tool at its price or below: ScreenZen scores 3.3 out of 4 and is free.
Which are the best free focus apps?
Of the 10 focus apps here with no paid plan at all, ScreenZen scores highest, at 3.3 out of 4.
Which focus apps are best for under $5 a month?
ScreenZen, Forest and Tide, with a score of 3.3 out of 4: the highest among the 44 that start at $5 a month or less.
Which focus apps are best for under $10 a month?
ScreenZen, Forest, Tide and Opal, with a score of 3.3 out of 4: the highest among the 51 that start at $10 a month or less.
Which focus apps cost the most for what they offer?
On this chart, Caveday (starts at $35 a month, scores 2.0 out of 4, and 46 tools score higher for less), Flow Club (starts at $33.33 a month, scores 2.3 out of 4, and 34 tools score higher for less) and FLOWN (starts at $19 a month, scores 2.3 out of 4, and 33 tools score higher for less).
How much do focus apps cost?
The middle starting price is $2.82 a month: half of the 46 focus apps with a recurring price start below that and half above.
How is the score on this chart worked out?
It is the average of three of the five grades ToolGPA gives every tool: features, ease of use, and platforms and integrations, with an A worth 4 and an F worth 0.
How does ToolGPA grade focus apps?
Five grades, A to F, for value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them.
Part 08 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Focus Apps, kept up to dateEvery tool in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/categories/focus
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Focus Apps: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 9, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/categories/focus
Know someone choosing between focus apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/categories/focus/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The top three focus apps have guides of their own, and so does every category near this one.
- ScreenZen Insider's GuideFree app that delays and blocks distracting apps and sites3.6 GPA
- Forest Insider's GuideFocus timer that grows a virtual tree while you stay off apps3.0 GPA
- To-Do List Apps Insider's Guide124 to-do list apps, graded and compared
- Calendar & Scheduling Insider's Guide75 calendar and scheduling apps, graded and compared
- Daily Planner Apps Insider's Guide70 daily planner apps, graded and compared
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what each tool’s pages, app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Product names are trademarks of their owners, and no maker made, paid for or approved this guide. Prices and plans change: check each maker’s own site before you buy.