Focus Bear

Overview

Focus Bear is a cross-device productivity app built around daily routines, focused work and time away from screens. It is a strong fit for people with ADHD who want one tool to shape habits and limit distractions. Its breadth is appealing, but Essentials is tightly capped, so regular users may need Pro.

Key features

Focus Bear blocks websites and apps using block lists, allow lists, schedules and recurring sessions. Locked sessions and the stricter Grizzly Bear mode add structure for people who want fewer opportunities to abandon a focus period. Essentials allows up to five websites or apps; Pro removes that cap and adds AI-powered blocking and focus modes. If your main need is occasional, simple blocking, this broader routine-and-break approach may be more than you need.

Customizable morning and evening routines guide users through habits one at a time. The free plan allows up to three habits per routine, which can suit a short checklist but may be limiting for a more involved sequence. Break prompts address the other side of sustained work: Focus Bear detects hyperfocus and can suppress reminders during meetings. Essentials permits up to three break activities; Pro includes meeting detection and focus music.

A computer deep-work block can automatically put a phone into Zen mode and block distracting apps, helping carry a work boundary across devices. Focus Bear says its cloud sync keeps data and focus modes aligned. Calendar events can trigger an activity through Late No More when the title includes fbtrigger followed by a habit or focus-mode name, a useful option for tying a planned activity to a calendar event.

Focus Bear says it does not log keystrokes or take screenshots, and that it logs only user-provided Focus Block and quantified-self information. Its privacy policy describes technical and organizational measures under GDPR Article 32 and names AWS and Auth0 among its processors. The company also describes the app as research-backed and says it has run a randomized controlled trial to measure impact. Australians with disabilities may be eligible for the NDIA program, which offers 2,000 people a fully funded one-year premium license, onboarding and support.

Pricing

Essentials is free. It includes blocking and routines, but caps Pomodoro sessions at 25 minutes, limits blocking to five websites or apps, allows up to three habits per routine and three break activities, and has no AI blocking. That makes it a reasonable way to try the routine-led approach, but a poor fit if you need longer Pomodoro sessions or a larger set of blocked targets.

Pro costs $9.99 a month, billed monthly, and includes unlimited website and app blocking, AI-powered blocking, focus modes, focus music, meeting detection and accountability partner features. It is the more practical plan for people who will use Focus Bear regularly across work and personal devices. The app offers a 7-day trial; the stated paid term is monthly.

Platforms

Focus Bear is available on Android, iOS, macOS and Windows. Mobile apps are available for iOS and Android, and computer-to-phone Zen mode is designed to connect deep-work blocks across devices. Browser extensions are not offered.

Who it's for

Focus Bear is best suited to people with ADHD who want guidance for routines as well as help blocking distracting apps and websites. Its combination of scheduled blocks, break prompts and phone Zen mode also suits people who move between a computer and phone during focused work. It is less suitable for someone looking only for a lightweight blocker, or for anyone whose routine exceeds Essentials' limits but who does not want a paid plan.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Blocking, routines, break support and phone Zen mode address several parts of a focused workday rather than only access to distracting sites.
• Pro: Essentials lets users try core blocking and routines for free, while Pro lifts the blocking-target cap and adds AI blocking and meeting detection.
• Pro: The stated privacy behavior rules out keystroke logging and screenshots, and the app says it logs only user-provided Focus Block and quantified-self information.
• Con: Essentials caps Pomodoro sessions at 25 minutes and permits only five blocking targets, three habits per routine and three break activities.
• Con: Pro costs $9.99 a month, so users who need longer sessions or more room for blocks must weigh an ongoing subscription against the free plan's restrictions.
• Con: There is no browser extension, which may matter to people seeking a browser-based option.

Alternatives

Distraction Blocking Software is a directory category for comparing blockers.

• Freedom is worth considering if you want a freemium blocker with a free plan, multi-device sync, custom blocklists and website exceptions across a wider set of platforms, including Linux and web.
• Phone-Free 2FA is a free alternative for people who need browser-extension TOTP accounts rather than routines and distraction blocking; it has no central recovery or sync.
• Opal is another freemium option for iOS, Android and Mac users who want app blocking, basic timers and soundscapes on its free plan, limited to one rule.
• Pluckeye is a free alternative for people who want all its features without a paid plan, on Android, Linux, macOS or Windows.
• ScreenZen is a free option across Android, iOS, macOS and Windows; its core app is free, with optional donations.
• AppBlock is a freemium alternative for Android, iOS and browser-extension users.
• Cold Turkey Blocker is a freemium option for extension, macOS and Windows users; its free plan includes website blocking, exceptions, timed blocks and statistics.
• Focus Fence is an alternative for iOS and macOS users, with a free download and in-app purchases.

Verdict

Choose Focus Bear if you want ADHD-oriented routine guidance alongside scheduled blocking, break prompts and a way to carry a computer focus block onto your phone. That connected approach is its clearest advantage. Look elsewhere if your needs are limited to simple blocking, you require a browser extension, or Essentials' caps do not justify a $9.99 a month Pro subscription.