Timella: Study & Work Timer

What it does

Timella is a time tracking and focus timer app for iOS. Its core function is to help users start, manage, and log time spent on various tasks, from studying and working to fitness and meditation. The app offers both an endless stopwatch-style timer and a traditional countdown timer. It also includes features designed to minimize distractions, such as the ability to block other apps during a focus session.

Where it shines

Timella excels in its straightforward, no-frills approach to time tracking. The process of starting a session is incredibly fast. For example, the user names a session, selects an icon, and starts the timer in seconds (01:12 - 01:21). The app's flexibility is another strong point, as seen in the onboarding showcase (00:01 - 00:33) which lists dozens of potential activities. Finally, the shortcut creation flow (03:25) is a well-designed wizard that simplifies setting up recurring tasks, making it easy to start common sessions with a single tap.

UX highlights

Dual Timer Modes: The ability to switch between an 'Endless Timer' and a 'Countdown Timer' at 02:26 provides flexibility for different types of tasks.
App Blocking Integration: Timella integrates with Screen Time to block distracting apps during focus sessions, a powerful feature for users seeking deep work (01:29).
Session Summary & Notes: After each session, a clear summary appears (02:09), offering a space to add notes like "1 chapter done," which adds useful context to the time log.
Categorized Shortcuts: The app allows users to create and categorize shortcuts for frequent activities (03:42), which streamlines the process of starting a new session.
Comprehensive Session History: The 'Overview' and 'Sessions' screens (04:42, 04:58) provide a clean, searchable log of all completed activities, making it easy to review productivity over time.
Contextual Pro Upgrades: Instead of just one paywall, pro features are disabled throughout the UI. Tapping them, like 'iCloud' in settings (05:50), contextually shows the upgrade screen.

Monetization & growth

A paywall for 'Timella Pro' is presented very early in the user journey, immediately after the initial feature showcase (00:33). The offer is a single monthly subscription at $2.99/month with no free trial mentioned. The app uses a 'soft' paywall approach; users can close it to access the basic timer functionality. Premium features like app blocking, iCloud backup, and biometric lock are contextually gated throughout the app, prompting the upgrade screen when a user attempts to access them.

Who it’s for

Timella is best suited for students, freelancers, and professionals who want a simple yet powerful tool to track their time and improve focus. Its straightforward interface appeals to users who find more complex project management tools overwhelming. The app blocking feature makes it particularly useful for individuals who struggle with digital distractions while studying or working.

Notes & opportunities

The app's core functionality is solid, but the user experience could be slightly improved. The purchase flow failed multiple times (01:00, 05:41), which is a critical bug. Additionally, while contextual paywalls are effective, the app could benefit from demonstrating the value of a Pro feature before locking it. For instance, allowing the user to block one app for free could be a more compelling upsell strategy than simply showing a locked icon.