Softwr

Productivity · head to head

Focus@Will vs Slack

Focus@Will logo

Focus@Will

Productivity

Music and sounds designed to enhance focus and productivity

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Slack logo

Slack

All industries

Where work happens

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Focus@Will the App Store listing (seller Dulcetta Inc) states the free trial is limited to 7 days, after which a paid subscription is required to continue using the music and features; Slack 90-day message history limit on free plan results in important conversations disappearing
  • They diverge on capability: Focus@Will covers Curated focus music, Slack covers Channels.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Focus@Will and Slack actually diverge.

Attributes where Focus@Will and Slack differ
AttributeFocus@WillSlack
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, WindowsWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux
CategoryProductivityAll industries
Founded20112009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Focus@Will

  • Curated focus music
  • Multiple music channels
  • Built-in focus timer
  • Focus statistics
  • Different music genres
  • Offline access
  • Cross-platform sync
  • Volume control

Only in Slack

  • Channels
  • Direct messaging
  • Voice & video calls
  • Screen sharing
  • File sharing
  • Search
  • Workflow builder
  • Slack Connect

What people use each for

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

Focus@Will

  • Productivitynot Slack
  • Collaborationnot Slack
  • Task managementnot Slack
  • Organizationnot Slack

Slack

  • Team communicationnot Focus@Will
  • Project coordinationnot Focus@Will
  • Customer supportnot Focus@Will
  • Remote worknot Focus@Will
  • Cross-functional collaborationnot Focus@Will

Where each one falls short

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

Focus@Will

  • The App Store listing (seller Dulcetta Inc) states the free trial is limited to 7 days, after which a paid subscription is required to continue using the music and features
  • The same listing states a 30 day money-back guarantee applies to the subscription, implying no refund is available after that window

Slack

  • 90-day message history limit on free plan results in important conversations disappearing
  • Per-user pricing becomes expensive quickly for larger teams
  • Notification overload with 78% of employees feeling overwhelmed by notifications
  • Mobile app performance issues including lag and slow syncing
  • Huddles limited to 50 people and cannot be recorded
  • Requires dedicated video conferencing service for formal meetings and webinars

Pricing, plan by plan

Focus@Will

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited access to music
    • Basic 25-min timer
    • Ads
  • Basic$4.95/month
    • Unlimited music access
    • Custom timers
    • No ads
  • Pro$9.95/month
    • Everything in Basic
    • Advanced analytics
    • Priority support

Slack

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Slack review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Focus@Will if

  • You need curated focus music.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows.
  • You also want multiple music channels.
Focus@Will review

Choose Slack if

  • You need channels.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux.
  • You also want direct messaging.
Slack review

Questions people ask

Is Focus@Will or Slack better?
Neither clearly leads. Focus@Will starts at Free and Slack at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Focus@Will or Slack?
Focus@Will starts at Free and Slack at Free.
Does Focus@Will or Slack run on more platforms?
Focus@Will runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows. Slack runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux.
Can I use Focus@Will for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Focus@Will best used for?
Focus@Will is most often used for productivity, collaboration, task management, organization. Of those, productivity and collaboration are not what Slack is typically brought in for.
What can Focus@Will do that Slack cannot?
Focus@Will covers Curated focus music, Multiple music channels, Built-in focus timer, Focus statistics. Slack covers Channels, Direct messaging, Voice & video calls, Screen sharing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Slack: Does Slack have a free plan?

Yes, Slack offers a free plan indefinitely with no credit card required. Free users get 90-day message history, up to 10 app integrations, and 1:1 huddles.

Source
Slack: What are Slack's pricing plans?

Slack offers Free, Pro ($7.25/user/month with annual billing), Business+ ($12.50/user/month), and Enterprise Grid (custom pricing). Monthly billing costs approximately 20% more than annual.

Source
Slack: Does Slack support offline use?

Slack is a cloud-based platform and does not support robust offline work. Internet connectivity is required to access messages and collaborate.

Source
Slack: What integrations does Slack support?

Slack integrates with 43+ apps on average per team, including Google Drive, ChatGPT, Vercel, Asana, GitHub, and many others through their app marketplace.

Source
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Related pages

More on Focus@Will

More on Slack

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