What is it? A to‑do list and focus timer hybrid
Who is it for? Anyone who struggles with focus and procrastination
How much does it cost? Free, $5/month or $25/year for all features
What makes it special? A three-task “focus box” and ADHD-friendly insights
We first covered Bento three years ago, praising its bold simplicity – a methodology that limits you to just three tasks at a time. The idea being to make your to-do list less overwhelming and more intentional. This new release, a big v2 update rebranded as Bento Focus, sticks to that core idea but evolves the app into a full productivity suite, complete with timers and insights. As ever, the app is framed around ADHD use cases, but could benefit anyone who wants less noise and more momentum in their life.
At its heart remains the three‑task limit. You create a focus box and decide on one small, one medium, and one large task, then get to work. It might seem counter-intuitive, but this limitation forces users to choose what’s really important – rather than making a long meandering to-do list that may never be completed. If you can get your head around this way of thinking, it definitely helps with morale.
What’s new is everything that supports that moment of focus. There’s a Pomodoro-style timer mode to nudge you into a flow state, complete with calming Japanese‑inspired themes with ADHD‑optimized sounds. The new design keeps the original’s charm but adds liquid glass menus that gel with iOS 26.
You can build custom daily routines using the three-task system or pick from pre‑made ones like Procrastination Breaker and Deep Work Flow – ideal if you struggle to get started or thrive when following clear, step‑by‑step prompts. It means that A rolling Focus Score shows how productive you’ve been, while ADHD Brain Insights surface trends and recommendations. Subtle AI elements pop up here and there – task suggestions and so on – but AI isn’t the headline act.
The developer behind Bento Focus has spent a decade reviewing productivity tools, and it shows. The flows feel considered and the app manages to bundle several feature sets that could be standalone apps into a nice neat package. Impressively, it does this without feeling bloated.
Bento’s free tier comes with the timer mode and one theme, and there’s a 7‑day Premium trial that unlocks everything else. There are widgets to help keep track of your focus score or daily streak, and the timer shrinks down to a Live Activity if you switch apps while it’s running.
If you’re ready to reclaim your day in three tidy portions, this refresh makes a strong case for returning to Bento’s little lunchbox of productivity.