Softwr

Productivity · head to head

Bear vs Focusmate

Bear logo

Bear

Productivity

Markdown notes for Apple devices

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Focusmate logo

Focusmate

Productivity

Virtual co-working platform for accountability and productivity

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Focusmate has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Bear built for Apple hardware only, with no Windows, Android or web client; Focusmate the free plan caps sessions at 3 per week

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bear and Focusmate actually diverge.

Attributes where Bear and Focusmate differ
AttributeBearFocusmate
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, IOS, Android
FoundedUnknown2017

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Productivity).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Bear

Nothing recorded that Focusmate does not also cover.

Only in Focusmate

  • 25-minute work sessions
  • Partner matching
  • Video co-working
  • Goal setting and tracking
  • Session history
  • Reflection notes
  • Weekly sessions
  • Mobile-friendly

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bear

No use cases recorded yet. See the Bear review.

Focusmate

  • Booking virtual coworking sessions with an accountability partnernot Bear
  • Building a focused work routine with timed sessionsnot Bear

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Bear

  • Built for Apple hardware only, with no Windows, Android or web client
  • Free tier is limited to 3 themes, 1 app icon and restricted export formats; iCloud sync requires Bear Pro
  • Bear Pro is $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year after a 7 day free trial

Focusmate

  • The free plan caps sessions at 3 per week
  • Unlimited sessions require the Plus plan at $8 per month billed annually or $12 per month billed monthly
  • The Business plan is priced by quote with no published rate

Pricing, plan by plan

Bear

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Bear review.

Focusmate

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 25-minute sessions
    • Limited sessions per week
    • Basic matching
  • Plus$5/month
    • Unlimited sessions
    • Priority matching
    • Session history

Which should you pick?

Choose Bear if

Nothing in the data separates Bear from Focusmate on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Bear review

Choose Focusmate if

  • You need 25-minute work sessions.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want partner matching.
Focusmate review

Questions people ask

Is Bear or Focusmate better?
Neither clearly leads. Bear starts at On request and Focusmate at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bear or Focusmate?
Focusmate has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Bear and Free for Focusmate.
Does Bear or Focusmate run on more platforms?
Bear runs on Web. Focusmate runs on Web, IOS, Android.
Can I use Focusmate for free?
Yes. Focusmate has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Bear starts at On request.
What can Bear do that Focusmate cannot?
Focusmate covers 25-minute work sessions, Partner matching, Video co-working, Goal setting and tracking.
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Related pages

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