What it does
Focus Tree is a productivity app designed to help users, primarily students, stay focused and avoid phone distractions. Its core feature is a focus timer that blocks other apps on the device during a session. By successfully completing these sessions, users earn digital rewards called 'tiles', which they can use to build and customize their own isometric digital gardens. The app also has a strong social component, allowing users to share their gardens, follow friends, and see each other's progress.
Where it shines
Focus Tree excels at creating a compelling and rewarding user experience from the very beginning. The onboarding flow is a masterclass in building value, using data-driven reinforcement at 01:05 to show users that their goals are achievable with the app. The core loop is immediately satisfying; completing the first short focus session at 03:20 is celebrated with confetti and a gamified 'scratch-to-reveal' reward (03:32). This transitions smoothly into the creative sandbox of the garden editor (03:46), where users get to place their first earned item, providing an instant sense of accomplishment and ownership.
UX highlights
- Gamified Rewards: The app turns rewards into an event. The scratch-card mechanic (03:32) for revealing a new tile is a delightful interaction that adds a layer of anticipation.
- Tangible Progression: Instead of just numbers, progress is visualized through the growth of a personal garden. The drag-and-drop editor (03:46) is intuitive and makes customization enjoyable.
- Data-Driven Validation: During onboarding, the app shows a graph (01:05) with a specific statistic (“92% of users report...”) to validate the user's choice, which is a powerful trust-building technique.
- Integrated Social Feed: The app features a clean, visually-driven feed (06:35) where users can showcase their gardens. This creates a community and a source of inspiration, encouraging continued engagement.
- Deep Customization: Beyond the garden, users can fine-tune their focus sessions with Timer, Stopwatch, and Pomodoro modes (05:33), including detailed settings for Pomodoro intervals.
- Web3 Integration: Uniquely, earned tiles are treated as NFTs in a built-in crypto wallet (11:35), offering a sense of true digital ownership.
Monetization & growth
Focus Tree uses a free trial model with a soft paywall presented during onboarding. The paywall appears at 01:33, strategically after the app has gathered user goals and presented strong social proof, increasing the perceived value. The offer is for a 7-day free trial that converts to a yearly or monthly subscription. Notably, the app asks for subscription commitment before account creation, reducing friction at the payment step. The app also features an in-app currency and a marketplace (08:13) where users can purchase additional decorative tiles and other items, creating a secondary revenue stream.
Who it’s for
This app is clearly targeted at high school and university students who struggle with digital distractions. The entire experience, from the 'study with friends' tagline to the gamified reward system, is designed to appeal to a younger demographic that is motivated by achievement, customization, and social connection. It's for anyone who finds traditional timers boring and needs a more engaging system to stay productive.
Notes & opportunities
The onboarding flow is exceptionally long and asks for many permissions (Notifications, Screen Time, Contacts). While each step is well-designed, the sheer length could be a point of friction and cause some users to drop off. The introduction of Web3 and NFTs is innovative but may be confusing for the core audience without more context or education within the app. Simplifying the onboarding or making more steps optional could improve completion rates.