Timella: Study & Work Timer

What it does

Timella is a focused time-tracking app designed to help users monitor and manage their time across various activities. Its core function is a simple but flexible timer that can operate in two modes: an 'Endless Timer' (stopwatch) for open-ended tasks and a 'Countdown Timer' for fixed-duration focus sessions. Users can name, categorize, and add notes to each session, creating a detailed log of their productivity over time.

Where it shines

Timella excels in its simplicity and low-friction design. The process of starting a session is incredibly fast. For example, at 01:12, the user names a session, picks an icon, and is ready to go in seconds. The standout feature is 'Shortcuts' (03:24), which allows users to pre-configure common activities like 'Running' or 'Checking mails'. This reduces the repetitive effort of setup to a single tap, which is a powerful tool for habit formation. The clean, uncluttered interface of the main timer screen and the overview dashboard (04:43) keeps the focus squarely on the task at hand.

UX highlights

Dual Timer Modes: The toggle between 'Endless' and 'Countdown' timers at the bottom of the main screen (02:26) is simple and accommodates different types of tasks.
Session Naming & Icons: The interface for naming a session (01:13) offers a wide array of icons, allowing for quick visual identification of tasks in the history log.
Quick Notes: After completing a session, the app prompts for a quick note (02:11). This is a smart way to add context to tracked time without being intrusive.
Actionable History: The 'Sessions' screen (04:58) is not just a log. Users can swipe to delete entries (05:00), making data management straightforward.
Clear Overview: The dashboard provides a concise summary of total focus time, sessions, and streaks, giving users an at-a-glance view of their progress (04:43).
Contextual Permissions: The app only asks for permissions when needed. For instance, the notification prompt appears only when setting a countdown timer for the first time (02:44).

Monetization & growth

Timella uses a freemium model with a 'Pro' subscription. Instead of a hard paywall during onboarding, it employs a contextual, feature-gating strategy. The paywall appears for the first time at 00:33 after the user has seen the app's value. Subsequently, it's triggered whenever the user attempts to access a premium feature like App Blocking (01:29), iCloud sync (05:51), or Biometric Lock (05:55). This makes the upgrade offer feel relevant and less disruptive. The single monthly plan is priced at $2.99, a straightforward and accessible price point.

Who it’s for

This app is ideal for students, freelancers, and anyone looking to build better habits and gain awareness of where their time goes. Its simplicity makes it suitable for users who find more complex project management tools overwhelming. The 'Study Timer' and 'App Blocking' features specifically target individuals seeking to minimize distractions and improve their focus during deep work sessions. The fitness and wellness icons suggest it's also for those tracking personal habits alongside professional ones.

Notes & opportunities

The app's core loop is very polished. However, the process for setting up app blocking could be slightly clearer. After granting permissions, the user returns to a screen that still shows '0 Selected' (01:41), which might cause a moment of confusion before they realize they need to tap 'Select Apps to Block'. Additionally, while the search function on the overview page is useful (04:45), filtering sessions by category or date range directly on that screen could provide even more powerful insights for users tracking many different activities.