Software Alternatives & Startups

Trello VS Focusmo

Compare Trello VS Focusmo and see what are their differences

Trello logo Trello

Infinitely flexible. Incredibly easy to use. Great mobile apps. It's free. Trello keeps track of everything, from the big picture to the minute details.

Focusmo logo Focusmo

Focus app for Mac that asks "what are you doing?" — like an accountability partner. Designed for ADHD and time blindness.
  • Trello Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-23
Not present

Focusmo is a focus app for Mac that works like an accountability partner. Instead of another to-do list, it asks you "What are you working on?" every hour — keeping you honest about your time. Your current task stays visible in a floating bar so you never forget what you're doing. Automatic tracking shows exactly which apps and websites consumed your day. Built specifically for people with ADHD and time blindness.

Trello

Website
trello.com
$ Details
freemium $12.5 / Monthly (Per user - Business Class)
Release Date
-
Startup details
Country
United States

Focusmo

$ Details
freemium $2.46 / Monthly (Unlimited devices, Includes updates while active)
Release Date
2025 February
Startup details
Country
Spain
State
Gipuzkoa
City
Beizama
Employees
1 - 9

Trello features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Trello's drag-and-drop interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.
  • Collaborative Features
    Trello allows for real-time collaboration, with features like comments, mentions, and attachments, making team communication seamless.
  • Customization Options
    Users can customize boards with different backgrounds, labels, and stickers. Additionally, Trello offers Power-Ups to extend functionality.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    Trello is available on iOS, Android, and web, allowing users to stay connected and manage tasks from multiple devices.
  • Integration Support
    Trello integrates with a variety of other tools such as Slack, Google Drive, and Jira, enhancing its functionality and adaptability.
  • Free Tier
    Trello offers a robust free tier that includes many essential features, making it a cost-effective option for individuals and small teams.

Possible disadvantages of Trello

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Some advanced project management features, like Gantt charts and time tracking, are not available or require third-party integrations.
  • Notification Overload
    Users can receive a high volume of notifications, especially in larger teams, which can become overwhelming and reduce productivity.
  • Scalability Issues
    While suitable for small to medium-sized projects, Trello may struggle with more complex project management needs, particularly for large-scale enterprises.
  • Storage Limitations
    The free version of Trello has storage limitations, which can be restrictive for teams that need to share and store large files.
  • Dependence on Third-Party Integrations
    Many advanced features and functionalities depend on third-party integrations, which can lead to additional costs and potential security concerns.
  • Limited Reporting and Analytics
    Trello lacks comprehensive reporting and analytics features, making it difficult for teams to gain insights into their productivity and project performance.

Focusmo features and specs

  • Accountability-Based Focus
    Focusmo uses a unique accountability mechanism where users commit to focus sessions and face social or financial consequences for failing to complete them, which can be a powerful motivator to stay on task.
  • Distraction Blocking
    The app helps block distracting websites and applications during focus sessions, making it easier to stay productive and avoid common time-wasting activities.
  • Structured Focus Sessions
    Focusmo encourages users to set dedicated focus periods with clear start and end times, helping build consistent work habits and time management skills.
  • Gamification and Motivation
    The app incorporates gamification elements and stakes-based motivation, making the process of staying focused more engaging compared to simple timer-based productivity tools.
  • Simple and Purpose-Driven Design
    Focusmo has a clean, straightforward interface focused on its core mission of helping users concentrate, without overwhelming them with unnecessary features or complex settings.

Analysis of Focusmo

Overall verdict

  • Focusmo appears to be a productivity and focus-enhancing app, but I don't have verified, up-to-date information about this specific product to confirm its quality, features, or user satisfaction with certainty.

Why this product is good

  • I lack reliable, current data on Focusmo's actual features, pricing, or user reviews
  • I cannot verify claims about its effectiveness without access to real-time app store ratings or user feedback
  • Making definitive quality claims without verified information could be misleading

Recommended for

  • Users should check official app stores (App Store, Google Play) for verified ratings and reviews
  • Consider trying free trials if available to test compatibility with your workflow
  • Look for independent reviews on tech sites or productivity forums before committing
  • Verify the app's current features and pricing directly on focusmo.app as this information may have changed

Trello videos

How to Organize Your Workflow - Trello Review!

More videos:

  • Review - Why I'm LEAVING Trello 😲 | Trello 2019
  • Review - Trello - A Quick Overview

Focusmo videos

Focusmo - The ultimate focus tool for Mac

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Trello and Focusmo)
Project Management
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
99 99%
1% 1
Task Management
100 100%
0% 0
Focus
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Trello and Focusmo.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Focusmo's answer:

No management overhead — Unlike Toggl or traditional time trackers, Focusmo doesn't require you to start/stop timers or categorize tasks manually. It just asks one simple question periodically.

Built for ADHD brains — Most productivity apps assume you can stay organized. Focusmo is designed for people who struggle with time blindness and context switching. The always-visible task bar and hourly check-ins were specifically built for this.

Truly passive tracking — Competitors require manual logging. Focusmo automatically tracks which apps and websites you use, showing you where your time actually went.

Simpler is better — No complex dashboards, no project hierarchies, no team features you don't need. Just you, your current task, and honest feedback about your time.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Focusmo's answer:

  • Swift and SwiftUI — 100% native macOS application
  • Core Data — local storage for privacy-first approach
  • macOS native APIs — for app/website tracking and system integration
  • No external AI/ML dependencies for core functionality

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Focusmo's answer:

People with ADHD — The app's core features (hourly check-ins, visible task bar, time visualization) were designed specifically for ADHD symptoms like time blindness and difficulty staying on task.

Knowledge workers who "lose days" — Developers, designers, writers, and freelancers who sit down to work and suddenly it's 6pm and they can't remember what they accomplished.

Students — Especially those struggling with focus during study sessions or working on long-term projects.

Anyone who finds traditional productivity apps overwhelming — People who've tried Toggl, Notion, or Pomodoro apps but found them too demanding to maintain.

What makes your product unique?

Focusmo's answer:

Focusmo takes a radically different approach to focus. Instead of another to-do list or Pomodoro timer that you have to manage, it works like an accountability partner:

  • Hourly check-ins — asks "What are you working on right now?" so you stay aware of how you're spending your time
  • Always-visible task bar — your current focus stays on screen so you never forget what you're supposed to be doing mid-task
  • Automatic tracking — see exactly which apps and websites consumed your time, no manual logging required
  • Time visualization — blue waves help visualize time passing, designed specifically for people with time blindness

Most productivity apps add complexity. Focusmo removes it.

What's the story behind your product?

Focusmo's answer:

Focusmo was born from personal frustration. I tried every productivity app out there — Toggl, Forest, Pomodoro timers, blocking apps — but nothing stuck. They all required too much management or were too aggressive.

I wanted something that would simply ask me what I'm doing, keep it visible so I don't forget, and show me where my time went at the end of the day. No complex setup, no maintenance overhead.

Built it for myself first. Then realized others — especially people with ADHD — were looking for exactly the same thing. The response from the community has been incredible, with users saying it's the first focus app that actually matches how their brain works.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

Focusmo's answer:

Focusmo serves primarily individual users rather than enterprise customers. Our growing community includes:

  • Independent developers and freelancers
  • Students and researchers
  • Remote workers
  • Content creators and writers
  • Professionals managing ADHD

With 800+ daily active users and growing, we're focused on helping individuals improve their relationship with time and focus.

User comments

Share your experience with using Trello and Focusmo. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Trello and Focusmo

Trello Reviews

  1. Simple and visual, but hits a wall on bigger projects

    We've been using Trello for about a year to keep our team tasks in order. Getting started was honestly a breeze - the kanban board is super intuitive and everyone got it within minutes. Moving cards around, adding checklists, and dropping files into cards just feels natural. But as our projects got more complex, we started bumping into limits pretty fast. There's no real sprint planning out of the box, reporting is basically nonexistent, and the free plan's 10-board limit sneaks up on you. We ended up paying for stuff that feels like it should be included. Still, for visual task tracking and small-to-mid workflows it's hard to beat.

    Competitors: Asana, monday.com, Notion, Jira
    Pros:    Dead simple to learn - team was onboard in literally 10 minutes|Kanban boards are genuinely satisfying to use, very visual|Power-ups add decent flexibility when you need extra features
    Cons:    Gets outgrown quickly once projects get complex|No built-in reporting, burndown charts, or real project analytics|Free plan is pretty restrictive with the 10-board cap
  2. Trello: Simple, Visual, and Surprisingly Powerful

    Trello makes project management feel effortless. Its board-and-card setup is intuitive, letting you organize tasks and track progress with just a glance. The free plan is generous, and Power-Ups add extra muscle when your projects grow. While it’s not loaded with advanced features like some competitors, its simplicity and flexibility make it a go-to tool for teams and individuals alike.

    Competitors: Jira
    Pros:    Super easy to use|Great for collaboration|Flexible with power-ups
    Cons:    Limited advanced features|Can get cluttered|Some features locked behind paid plans
  3. A handy tool for planning

    Trello excels as a task planning tool, and I appreciate its user-friendly interface, especially when using it on a smartphone. Its mobile app is incredibly convenient, allowing me to stay organized and connected on the go. I appreciate how it streamlines collaboration without unnecessary complexities.


Top 10 Productivity Apps for MacOS 2025
Trello is great for keeping track of all the stages of a project. It’s basically a visual to-do list on steroids. I use it when I need to plan something with more structure than just ticking things off — like launching a side project or organising a trip. Boards, lists, and cards might sound like overkill at first, but once you start dragging things around, it just clicks....
Source: dev.to
The Top 7 ClickUp Alternatives You Need to Know in 2025
Benefits:Trello's straightforward design allows users to quickly adapt without extensive training. Recent updates have introduced features like card mirroring and integration with Jira lists, enhancing its capabilities.
How Tight-Knit Teams Get More Done with Innovative Project Management Tools
A small business might suddenly land a new client or product line. With a flexible approach, you can handle sudden expansions. For instance, if your Trello board becomes crowded, you can create additional boards or switch to something like Asana that manages more detailed sub-tasks. Meanwhile, short video demos via ScreenRec can ensure your new hires (or existing staff)...
Source: medium.com
25 Best Asana Alternatives & Competitors for Project Management in 2024
If this isn’t your first time on the project management software hunt, you’ve most likely come across Trello as one of the popular Asana alternatives. Trello organizes projects into boards inspired by Kanban, a workflow management method. A board is filled with task cards containing notes, attachments, images, documents, and other data to collaborate with teammates.
Source: clickup.com
The 10 best Asana alternatives in 2024
Trello also lets you create custom automations that run based on project activity, like an approaching due date or when a card is moved between lists. You can even set up custom buttons for cards and boards that run an automated sequence when clicked. Individuals and small teams that don't need Asana's advanced template library and team management might be happy to trade...
Source: zapier.com

Focusmo Reviews

We have no reviews of Focusmo yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Trello seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 248 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Trello mentions (248)

View more

Focusmo mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Focusmo yet. Tracking of Focusmo recommendations started around Jan 2026.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Trello and Focusmo, you can also consider the following products

Asana - Asana project management is an effort to re-imagine how we work together, through modern productivity software. Fast and versatile, Asana helps individuals and groups get more done.

Focus App - New Tab page that gives you a moment of calm and inspires you to be more productive.

Jira - The #1 software development tool used by agile teams. Jira Software is built for every member of your software team to plan, track, and release great software.

Forest App - Forest is an app that helps you stay focused on the important things in life.

Basecamp - A simple and elegant project management system.

focusedOS - Hide all distractions in one click on Mac and iPhone.