Bento vs Be Focused
Find the right focus timer for your workflow. Compare Bento and Be Focused to see which app best supports your productivity goals.
Feature Comparison
See how Bento and Be Focused stack up across key features
Pros & Cons
Every app has strengths and weaknesses. Here is an honest look at both.
Bento Focus
Our recommendation
Pros
- Beautiful Japanese-inspired live themes
- Comprehensive daily routine system
- Calm, distraction-free design philosophy
- Streak tracking for habit building
- Thoughtful, premium aesthetics
Cons
- iOS only (no Android)
- No social/multiplayer features
- No gamification mechanics
Be Focused
Alternative option
Pros
- Established user base
- Cross-platform support
- Specific focus features
Cons
- Less polished design
- Limited aesthetic options
- No Japanese-inspired themes
Bento vs Be Focused: Complete Comparison
Design Philosophy Differences
Be Focused operates on a task-centric philosophy: productivity means completing tasks, so the app helps you organize tasks and time your work on them. This approach integrates well with project-based thinking common in professional environments. Bento operates on a different philosophy: productivity emerges from consistent routines and calm, focused attention. Rather than asking "what tasks do I need to complete?", Bento asks "what does my ideal productive day look like?" The app then helps you structure time accordingly. Neither philosophy is superior—they serve different mental models of productivity. Task-oriented people may prefer Be Focused's approach; routine-oriented people may thrive with Bento.
Feature Comparison Deep Dive
Be Focused's key features include: Pomodoro timer with customizable intervals, task list with project organization, time tracking per task/project, menu bar timer on Mac, cross-device sync in Pro version, and basic statistics. Bento offers: customizable focus timers, live animated Japanese-inspired themes, comprehensive daily routine builder, streak tracking for habit formation, Focus Box immersive mode, and visual progress statistics. The fundamental difference: Be Focused helps you track what you work on; Bento helps you build when and how you work. Be Focused answers "what did I accomplish?"; Bento answers "did I show up consistently?"
Pricing and Value Analysis
Be Focused offers a free version with basic timer and task features, with Be Focused Pro unlocking sync, unlimited tasks, and advanced features. It's available as a one-time purchase on iOS/Mac. Bento similarly provides free core functionality with Premium unlocking additional themes and features. Both represent reasonable value for productivity tools. The choice depends on which features matter more: Be Focused's task management and Mac integration, or Bento's aesthetic experience and routine building. Users who rely heavily on Mac-based work may find Be Focused's desktop presence more valuable. Users prioritizing mobile focus and beautiful design will appreciate Bento's approach.
Ideal User Profiles
Be Focused is ideal for: project-based workers who track time per task, Mac users wanting menu bar timer access, people who think in terms of tasks and to-do lists, those needing sync across Mac and iOS, and users who want task management integrated with focus timing. Bento is ideal for: users who find task lists overwhelming or anxiety-inducing, those preferring time-based rather than task-based structure, people who value aesthetic environments for focus, mobile-first users who don't need Mac integration, and minimalists who prefer separating focus tools from task management.
Migration Tips: Moving from Be Focused to Bento
Transitioning from Be Focused to Bento requires shifting your mental model from task-tracking to routine-building. First, identify your typical daily patterns: When do you naturally focus best? What activities repeat daily? Build Bento routines around these patterns rather than trying to replicate your task list. If you rely on task management, keep a separate task app—Bento doesn't replace this function. Choose a Bento theme that creates a calming environment for your work. Start with simple routines: morning focus block, afternoon work session, evening wind-down. Let go of tracking time per task; embrace tracking consistency instead. The shift takes adjustment but can be liberating if task lists have felt burdensome.
Why Switch to Bento?
Be Focused is a popular Pomodoro timer known for its task management integration and cross-platform availability across iOS and Mac. It combines focus timing with to-do tracking, making it appealing f...
Immersive Focus Environment
While Be Focused focuses on task management with timer integration, Bento creates an immersive, calming visual environment with live themes that transform your focus sessions into something special and enjoyable.
Beautiful by Design
Bento's Japanese-inspired design philosophy prioritizes aesthetics and calm, offering a more refined, visually sophisticated experience than Be Focused's utilitarian interface. This beauty serves a purpose: creating a mental state conducive to focus.
Routine-Based Productivity
Instead of task lists that can feel endless and overwhelming, Bento helps you build daily routines that create consistent habits and time-based structure for sustainable productivity.
Mindful Approach
Bento embraces mindful productivity over task-checking, helping you focus on presence and quality of attention rather than just completing items on a list.
Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from others' experiences and sidestep these common errors.
Expecting Bento to replace your task manager
Bento intentionally doesn't include task management. It's a focus and routine tool, not a to-do list. Pair it with a dedicated task manager (Things, Todoist, Apple Reminders) for best results. Bento handles the "how to work" while your task app handles "what to work on."
Missing Mac menu bar integration
If you heavily rely on Be Focused's Mac menu bar timer, recognize that Bento is mobile-focused. You might keep both apps, using Be Focused for desktop timing and Bento on your mobile device for its beautiful themes during phone-free focus sessions.
Trying to recreate task tracking in routines
Bento routines are time-based, not task-based. Don't create routine items for individual tasks. Instead, create time blocks like "Morning Deep Work" or "Admin Block" and decide separately which tasks to tackle during those times.
Abandoning proven systems entirely
If Be Focused's task-based approach works well for you, switching may not be necessary. Consider what you're actually missing. You might keep Be Focused for work and use Bento for personal focus sessions where you appreciate the aesthetic experience.
Undervaluing the aesthetic dimension
Be Focused users sometimes dismiss Bento's themes as unnecessary decoration. However, visual environment affects mental state. If you find Be Focused's utilitarian interface uninspiring, Bento's beauty isn't frivolous—it's a functional feature that motivates consistent usage.
Real-World Examples
See how others apply these principles in practice.
Consultant tracking billable hours
A consultant who needs to track time spent on different client projects would likely prefer Be Focused's task/project organization. The ability to associate timer sessions with specific projects provides the time-tracking data needed for billing. Bento isn't designed for this use case.
Writer seeking daily creative practice
A writer building a daily writing habit might find Bento more suitable than Be Focused. Rather than tracking word counts or individual tasks, they want to show up daily at the same time and write in a calm, beautiful environment. Bento's routines and streaks support this habit-building approach better than task management.
Knowledge worker with task list anxiety
Some people find endless task lists stressful rather than helpful. If you dread opening Be Focused because of your growing task list, Bento's routine-based approach might bring relief. Focus on time blocks and consistency rather than item completion. Use a hidden or minimal task manager separately.
Mac-based developer
A developer who spends most of their day on Mac would benefit from Be Focused's menu bar integration—quick access to start/stop timing without switching contexts. Bento's mobile focus wouldn't serve this desktop-based workflow as well, though the developer might appreciate Bento for focused mobile reading or learning sessions.
At a Glance
A quick comparison to help you understand the key differences.
| Feature | Bento | Be Focused |
|---|---|---|
| Core Philosophy | Time-based routines and habits | Task-based productivity tracking |
| Visual Design | Japanese-inspired animated themes | Functional utilitarian interface |
| Task Management | Not included (use separately) | Built-in task lists and projects |
| Daily Structure | Comprehensive routine builder | Session-by-session timing |
| Platform Focus | iOS and iPad | iOS and Mac with menu bar |
| Streak Tracking | Built-in habit motivation | Not included |
| Time Per Project | Not tracked by project | Detailed project time tracking |
| Sync | Local storage | iCloud sync (Pro version) |
Common Questions
Get answers about Bento vs Be Focused
Does Bento have task management like Be Focused?
Bento takes a deliberately different approach, focusing on time-based routines rather than task lists. Instead of managing individual tasks within the app, you build daily routines that structure your time. This approach promotes consistent habits and reduces the anxiety of endless task lists. If you need task management, pair Bento with your preferred to-do app.
Is Bento available on Mac like Be Focused?
Bento is available on iOS and iPad, designed to provide a beautiful mobile focus experience. It works great as your dedicated focus companion on Apple devices. Be Focused's Mac version with menu bar integration is an advantage for users who want desktop focus timing.
Which app is better for work productivity?
Be Focused works well if you need task tracking integrated with your timer and appreciate project organization. Bento excels if you want a more mindful, routine-based approach with beautiful design that makes focus sessions enjoyable. Consider what approach resonates more with your work style: task-driven or time/routine-driven.
Can I sync data across devices with Bento?
Bento stores your data on your device for privacy and offline use. Your routines, settings, and progress are maintained locally on your Apple devices. Be Focused Pro offers sync across devices via iCloud.
Which app handles projects and deadlines better?
Be Focused clearly wins for project-based organization with its ability to assign tasks to projects and track time spent per project. If you need detailed project tracking and deadline management, Be Focused is better suited. Bento doesn't compete in project management—it focuses on daily routines and habit building.
I use Be Focused on Mac—will I miss the menu bar timer?
Be Focused's Mac menu bar integration is a genuine advantage for desktop users. Bento is mobile-focused, so you won't have equivalent Mac functionality. Some users keep Be Focused for Mac and use Bento on mobile for its beautiful themes. Others find having a dedicated mobile focus app without desktop temptation helps concentration.
Ready to Try Bento?
Experience the calm, beautiful focus that thousands of users have discovered. Download Bento free and see the difference yourself.