Focusmate vs Kaizen

Focusmate pairs people for scheduled virtual coworking sessions, with each person working alongside an accountability partner. Sessions run for 25, 50, or 75 minutes, and members can favorite partners to work with them again. Task modes include Desk Mode, Moving, and Anything; Quiet Mode allows a session without a microphone. Video options include virtual backgrounds, screensharing, and effects. Focusmate runs in a browser, where users can book and join sessions without installing software. Calendar invites support major calendars such as Apple, Google, and Outlook, and listed integrations include Google Calendar, Beeminder, and a Developer API. The free plan includes 3 sessions per week at free, with no credit card required. Plus costs $8 a year when billed annually or $12 a month when billed monthly; both plans include unlimited sessions. A camera and internet-connected device are required, while a microphone is preferred. Sessions are not recorded, and users can report sessions or partners.

Kaizen is a focus and study app built around a Pomodoro timer, task and habit tracking, and camera-free Focus Rooms. The timer has presets, custom sessions from 5 to 180 minutes, and stopwatch mode. Rooms hold 2 to 50 people; users can join public rooms or private rooms with a code. There is no video or microphone, and members see one another’s status and focus tag. Tasks include an Inbox, subtasks, priorities, due dates, estimates and automatic time tracking. The free plan allows up to 7 active tasks, 5 habits, blocking for 3 apps, and statistics covering the last 30 days. App blocking is available on iOS and Android, not web or Windows. Kaizen runs on web, iOS, Android and Windows, with account data syncing across platforms. The free plan is free. Premium costs €3.99 a month or €39.99 a year; both include unlimited tasks, habits and app blocking, room creation, the full music and background library, and all-time statistics.