Focus Matrix – Task Manager Reviews

by Mz_dom

I upgraded to the pro version of Focus Matrix as it stated it could integrate with Be Focused right from Focus Matrix. What they don’t tell you is that you need to upgrade to Be Focused Pro in order for this feature to work!

I would have no concerns if this was stated in the pro version description, however, it’s not. Now I am left wondering what was the purpose of upgrading to the pro version if the free version also didn’t integrate to Be Focused? This was a learning experience & I will not be purchasing any pro version with FocusMatrix developer again until they include everything in the description.

by Eisenhow User

Update - have been using FocusMatrix for awhile. Great standalone functionality (as I mentioned previously) but I rarely find it useful anymore without Web- based integration for Windows because of all the manual entry. I don’t recommend this for users using Windows unless they resolve this.

I’ve tried many apps to manage tasks using the Eisenhower method and this is the best app by far. The user interface and functionality of due dates and calendar integration is excellent, many others
fall short on the ability to move around and reorder tasks as needed. The only feature I hope gets developed is the ability to use this on a Web interface and sync to my phone. Managing and entering all the data on my phone is not ideal, especially when most of my work is done on a Windows based laptop for work.

by Kadamac

Purchased the Focus Matrix and BeFocused pack and although both are really awesome at sorting and handling tasks there seems to be an issue with the syncing of completed tasks. Tasks that I have mark completed seem to keep popping back as tasks that still need to be done even though i have marked complete and tasks I create seem to not save. I really hope they fix this cause I was just talking with my company to have these apps on our all our work phones as its remote work and these types of apps are crucial in staying on top of things. But these issues must be ironed out before moving forward. Really hope it happens thanks

by Piano Ninja

I wanted to like FocusMatrix.

First, I was not thrilled when I realized that I would have to purchase FocusMatrix separately on each device in order use the multiple device functionality. One should purchase FocusMatrix once and be able to access it on all devices. I felt scammed.

Next, once a task is completed, it stays in the category box albeit greyed out. Soon, my box was cluttered with completed tasks. The only way to remove the completed tasks were to delete them. And once deleted, they no longer showed in the report. What’s the point of a task manager/organizer with a cluttered in box. What’s the point of a report feature if you can’t see a report of your accomplishments?

If this is not the way FocusMatrix should function, then it is not intuitive. I spent time trying to solve these issues and could find no answers. And figuring out how FocusMatrix works definitely falls into the “not important, not urgent” time wasting category.

I wanted to like FocusMatrix. I look forward to a serious revamp.

by AndrewChoiDDS

You need to pay on computer AND phone to get them to sync.

They claim iPad and iPhone will sync but it will not for me. Their tech support is not too helpful in helping to fix problems. I got a short answer making it obvious that they are not reading my question carefully.

I like FocusMatrix but not the support and someone else should execute it better. I wouldn’t buy again.

by Joshorejs

I will be giving FocusMatrix a 5 star when the following changes are made.

I have the suit by xWave; focus matrix, be focused and now their habits app.

The pomodoro timer is very helpful especially with the assistance by the focus matrix having both is awesome.

There are a few must have fixes though: the integration with iCal is SO helpful. It would be nice to be able to select a different calendar for each task as well as having the ability to set times to work on said task. Essentially, having the iCal settings available while setting the event up would be out of this world.
Tags need a complete overhaul. They’re very necessary but the current set up doesn’t seem to work...
Split fullscreen on iPad and mac is a must (please fix).
Please allow Focus Matrix and Daily habits to sync.

Look out for this developer, they’re doing some of the best work out there. If you are in need of organizing your life buy all their apps, before they’re way out of your price range.

The matrix is very helpful and keeps me extremely focused. Definitely going to give this a five stars after these changes.

by Muayyad212

This is good Eisenhower matrix app. But there are three improvements I wish it had:

1. the ability to choose if you want a long task title to be cut off or to wrap around to next line

2. The ability to add repeating tasks, like daily exercising or taking a pill. I want to be able to complete it and have it repeat the next day. And if I don’t complete it, it should show me how many days overdue it is

3. Also, I would like to quickly make task with default settings in place. For example I want to simply click on the empty space below a task and begin typing. I find it to be a mildly inconvenient to have to press the plus sign and then go through all the details every time I want to create a task

by Sirius Rose

Still disappointed in Mac version. Does not integrate with anything. Mobile version works seamlessly. Don't waste money on desktop will not sync wit Focus Pro. Waste. Full disclosure.

Thank you for the response. Unfortunately after purchasing the Mac Version when I try to launch in Focus pro it says 'there is no internet connection'. Does not launch nor does it sync with other devices. Disappointed. This was the reason I purchased the desktop version that has now become useless. I have to add separately in my phone to launch in Focus pro after purchasing all upgrades.

by Bruntj

Would like to be able to set to delete completed tasks immediately or in a few hours. As of now when I review tasks in the evening and mark them completed, they are still taking up screen space all the next day unless I go back in and manually delete them.
Many great features and functionality, though.
Just make it easier to clear the screen of completed tasks. At least move completed tasks to the bottom of the list so focus is on what is left. Also, changing to a strike though font on completed tasks would be nice.
Let’s do that...strike through and move completed tasks to the bottom of the screen and have them disappear into an archive after a few hours or in the wee hours of the morning.

by Gregster62

This is a wonderful app which really helps me to organize my life!

However, I would like to make a small suggestion for improvement: it would be nice if, just as there is an inbox, there could also be an outbox. When one finishes an item, one could drag that item down to the outbox icon. This would serve to get that task out of the way, leaving only those yet to be accomplished visible in that particular quadrant. It would also serve to have a place where I can see all of the items that have been accomplished today. Then, at the end of the day, I could delete all of those items at once by tapping on an icon; or, alternatively, I could manually delete them one by one, perhaps dragging some of them back up to another quadrant for tomorrow, if it happens to be an item that I repeat each day.

I hope you can make this change!

Thanks a lot for a great app!

by Joshwithreviews

This is exactly what I have been looking for in regards to an iPad matrix priority app. It is simple, fast, and easy to use. I did find so far some issues which would be nice to improve on.

1. When I create a task without typing anything and then press the x icon for the task, FocusMatrix crashes every time.

2. The right side where there is the title, due date, etc can be confusing while starting FocusMatrix for the first time and should be enabled after the user creates a task rather than it being on the screen without a task actively selected.

3. Make the matrix names editable! What if I want to use a different type of matrix? Maybe if you, the developer, desires to keep FocusMatrix as simple as possible to increase focus then create some presets for other popular matrixes?

Overall, well done!

by Neohutch

I have used just about every organizational tool. I settled on Todoist a wile back, but I didn’t want to pay a monthly fee for a glorified check list. Focus Matrix is easy to use and syncs with BeFocused so you can manage your time and set priorities on your watch and phone. My only complaint is there isn't a way to sync to my Windows laptop. Other than that this is a great too.

by Simplefig

I’ve tried different Eisenhower matrix apps, but what separates FocusMatrix from all the rest is its intuitive design. In addition to the traditional four quadrants, there is a grey box you can open to quickly jot down items you can’t categorize quite yet. List items are so easy to move, delete, and check.

by Crazy-red-headed-lady

I feel so much more focused using this with Be Focused Pro. Great that everything works on my Mac and my phone.

I finally feel like I can get through my huge list of projects in a productive way.

I would like to see the ability to have recurring tasks- and I like the idea about adding customer information in the task.

by Kris219374

I suspect I have ADHD and FocusMatrix has changed my life. I call it my “second brain.” Whenever I get those random “I should do xyz” thoughts throughout the day, I grab my phone and put the task in the appropriate category. Because I can clearly see what tasks are urgent, I can knock those out and not stress. My life is much calmer, organized, productive, and intentional. I’m so grateful.

by Homer808

Genius tool. Changed my life a bit as I keep all my to do's in one place now. I keep checking off items in my "important and urgent" column which always feels good.

Also, I use the "not important and not urgent" to keep random lists in the notes sub section. So a list item might be "movies to see" and then in the notes I just add movies. It's a pretty easy place to keep that kind of random info that often gets lost in my regular notes app.

by Crunch75

To the developer - it would be nice to have a setting where you could see tasks as more than one line each; very few tasks fit in a small amount of space allocated but if you allowed them to run for multiple lines it would be much better. Please add an option to settings which allows for tasks to be shown on more than one line. It would also help to allow for the phone rotation to work so you could see longer tasks in landscape mode.

by CatholicTeacher

I have tried (and liked) many task managers. However, I never found one that quite fit my working style. I especially had trouble tracking urgent daily tasks, deadlines, and core tasks for making progress on my projects. They all got jumbled as my todo list grew.

Focus Matrix is the perfect mix of automation and manual organization. The quadrants make it easier to see all of my tasks and to organize them for the day. Tasks can be automatically moved to the urgent quadrant when their due date approaches. FocusMatrix just matches the way I work!

by Seasparrow2

I’ve used a lot of productivity apps. This one has everything I want and nothing I don’t. The inbox is where I keep today’s punch list. And, it syncs to my Google cal. The other 4 categories help me decide what’s important and/or urgent vs what’s not. The phone app is great, and so is the desktop app — I use both and they sync perfectly. I also started using it with BeFocused for time-driven tasks. Again, syncs perfectly and is super easy to use. Very useful for staying on track. With other apps competing for sizzle, this one is all steak. It’s become indispensable.

by BrooklynChris

Having used the Eisenhower time management technique on index cards for years, because nobody had written a decent computer program for it, I can now finally stop using index cards and will have it all not only synchronized across all my devices, but also will have an integrated Pomodoro timer. A dream come true.

by Lance, The AppAddict

If you used the paper-based Franklin Covey planning system you will love Focus Matrix. After years of using more complicated apps to follow the GTD system, I find Focus Matrix helps guide me in choosing fewer tasks with bigger payoffs. I find myself moving away from frenetically cramming in every task possible in a given time to instead doing a few tasks that will take me furthest for that day. The sync between iPhone, iPad and Mac works great. If you pair it with the same developer’s BeFocus pomodoro timer you can send your tasks into that app and be super productive with pomodoro sessions and still not be exhausted at the end of your day. I’m taking off one star because FocusMatrix is limited by having no place for projects. Currently there is only an Inbox and each of the quadrants. There is no place to look at something at the project level and assign the tasks from there. If there were a “Projects” list (sort of how the Inbox is implemented) that could help.