Bento: Focus Timer

• Bento Premium - Quarterly — $1.99/month
• Bento Premium - Quarterly — $9.99/year ($0.83/mo)
• Bento Premium - Quarterly — $12.99/quarter
• Bento Premium - Semiannual — $19.99

Last verified 6 Aug 2026

4.1 322 ratings · App Store

1. 3/5I don’t know how to use this

   It’s not complicated, but I just can’t find a practical use. For awhile, I was picking 3 tasks to prioritize each day from my main task app & assigning the workflow for the order I wanted to tackle based on the difficulty of each (which seems pointless). But, this is exactly like just listing your priorities for the day each morning, which only requires a piece of paper or a notes/journal app. I assume each box was meant for a day because it limits your boxes to 7. But, why would I want to have a Bento for each day? I don’t do the same thing every week. Then it gives examples of boxes that are clearly not to last the entire day, so maybe the limit is simply part of the minimalism? The structured parts of my day are completion focused and / or based on a time schedule, so I’m just not sure how to apply something like this. It’s a really pretty app, and I’m keeping it next to my pomodoro focus timer app, which I use to take standing breaks. I feel like I still might find a use for it at some point.

   Sherylc6 · 6 Aug 2026

2. 5/5I am not great with time based task apps

   Bento is pretty straight forward it allows me to keep my tasks to a minimum. Normally if the app allows I would make a huge list of tasks and timeframes that never actually works out. I can switch between bentos depending on what’s feasible. I am postpartum so I can’t stick to a perfect schedule this helps alot especially without applying dates and while my baby sleeps I can focus on the task I listed as a priority. One suggestion: the music is great I can’t seem to play it out loud i can only use my AirPods. Alternate sound options would be awesome my favorite scene is the cafe and I would love for it to be some scenic sounds like cooking sounds light murmurs leaves falling etc.

   jasminiilly · 6 Aug 2026

3. 2/5Beautiful app, major flaw

   UPDATE: So the developer responded to my comment citing a new experience and I got around to checking it out, the app looks cool but I paid for it already and now I’m on a “free” plan and they want an additional subscription. Incredibly frustrating that as an early adopter I now am expected to hand over more money. Honestly in a world where subscription this and that is taking over the simplicity of the original apps pay once and enjoy the serenity of the app while getting things done was so relieving, disappointed to say the least. Original review: I love this app and the methodology. The graphics are great, the idea is awesome and I thoroughly enjoy it. The problem is that it runs in the background constantly for absolutely no reason, so it’s using way more battery than it should be, and there’s no option to toggle background app refresh or any other settings because notifications on or off. I want to keep it and use it but I want my phone to have a normal amount of battery, as of now I haven’t decided but I’ll probably have to delete it unless an update is pushed through that fixes this issue.

   Ausbin the Trashcan · 6 Aug 2026

4. 5/5The interface needs to be improved

   They give old users who buy the app free subscription, you just need to wait for the email in patience. The new version is better than the old one in general cause it provides routine templates for people to use and a timer for single use, while keeping the three-task bento. Here are the two suggestions: First, adding more task templates meaning that people need to spend more time to decide which to use, which is not good for people who already have management issue. I suggest provide a search area in the bento and routine to reduce time waste. Second, the blogs on the official website are actually good. It will be nice to provide templates based on those materials, like planning for a researcher, thesis writing planning, and coding etc. Overall, it is still a nice app to deal with ADHD and procrastination!

   Oooold user · 6 Aug 2026

5. 4/5Good addition to your favorite productivity system

   I love testing out new productivity apps and especially ones that have a clear vision vs just making the same old system prettier, so I was excited to try Bento. I do usually jot down my top three priorities for the day in my bullet journal so my biggest question was whether this app would add value to that process, and it did! First, Bento forces you to decide how you will work through your list, starting with the biggest, smallest, or medium task. The timer lets you focus on on the task at hand and the instrumental music in the background is lovely and relaxing. The pictures and animations are also pretty and create a nice ambiance. This is not going to replace any of your existing productivity apps, but it’s a great add-on for those of us who may struggle to focus or know where to start. Definitely recommend if you have ADHD/executive functioning issues like me. Feedback for developers: the graphics are beautiful, however it veers too much into cultural appropriation territory for my taste, as my understanding is that the developers are not Japanese. You can appreciate Japanese culture without making it the whole thing of this app. At the very least, give some credit to the Japanese artists who inspired this aesthetic. The switching themes function doesn’t work. I tried several times to do it in the settings, but the original theme remained. Would be great to have a longer track for the looping audio, and maybe some different choices. I love it for now but can see myself getting tired of it after a few days.

   MarziMarzipan · 6 Aug 2026

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