Focen vs FocusNod
Focen and FocusNod both use AI to tell work from distraction without reading page content. Pick Focen if you need one tool across Mac, Windows and iPhone. Pick FocusNod if you only use a Mac and don’t want a subscription: it’s $29 once, where Focen is $149.99 a year.
Last updated 25 September 2026 (prices and platforms checked)
Which one is for you?
Pick Focen if…
- You also work on Windows or an iPhone.
- You want one subscription that covers every device.
- You want to start today: FocusNod launches in October 2026.
Pick FocusNod if…
- You only use a Mac, on up to two machines.
- You’d rather pay $29 once than $149.99 a year.
- You want it to read only the app name and window title.
Side by side
| Fact | Focen | FocusNod (our app) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | AI focus app | AI focus app |
| Price | $19.99/mo or $149.99/yr | $29 once for up to 2 Macs; $23 for the first 100 customers |
| AI | Built in (Google Gemini) | Built in, no key |
| What it reads | Domain, URL path and page title; never page content | App name and window title; never screen content |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, iPhone | Mac (macOS 14+); launching October 2026 |
| How it works | Classifies each site by address and page title; only new pages go to the cloud (can be turned off). | You set a task; each window you settle on is judged by its app name and title, and a small panel asks after about three minutes of clear drift. |
Focen’s facts are from focen.app, checked 25 September 2026.
Where each one wins
- Focen
- One subscription across Mac, Windows and iPhone.
- Watch out for: The most expensive app compared here.
- FocusNod
- Tells a tutorial from a detour, never looks at your screen, and costs $29 once.
- Watch out for: A nudge, not a lock; Mac only; launches in October 2026.
Questions
How much does Focen cost?
Focen is $19.99 a month or $149.99 a year (checked 25 September 2026).
Does Focen read page content?
No. Focen says it classifies each site by its domain, URL path and page title, never page content, and only sends new pages to the cloud, which you can turn off.
Does FocusNod work on Windows or iPhone?
No. FocusNod is a Mac menu‑bar app for macOS 14 and later. If you need Windows or iPhone too, Focen is the better fit.
Launching October 2026
Try the nudge instead of the wall.
FocusNod reads window titles, never your screen, and costs $29 once. The first 100 pay $23 (refundable), or get one email when it’s ready.