Locu vs Akiflow: When Calendar Blocking Isn't Enough

Akiflow has perfected the art of managing tasks through your calendar. It's fast, keyboard-driven, and designed for professionals who live in their calendar and want everything time-boxed.

But time-boxing isn't the same as focused execution.

Locu takes a different approach: instead of blocking calendar time, you work in structured focus sessions. Instead of estimating task duration, you execute and measure. Instead of calendar-first planning, you prioritize tasks and work flexibly.

If Akiflow helps you plan when to work, Locu helps you actually work.

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Why Engineers Need More Than Calendar Blocking

Time-Boxing Doesn't Match Engineering Reality

Akiflow's core philosophy is time-blocking: schedule every task on your calendar. But engineering work doesn't fit neat time boxes. A "2-hour debugging task" might take 30 minutes or 4 hours. You can't predict it—you have to execute it.

Time-boxing creates two problems:

1. Constant rescheduling when tasks run over (friction, guilt)
2. False sense of productivity (scheduled ≠ completed)

Locu's approach: Work in flexible 60-minute focus sessions on priority tasks. Tasks take however long they need. Multiple tasks per session is normal. Sessions span multiple tasks is normal. You measure actual execution, not planned time.

No Real Focus Support

Akiflow shows you what to work on when, but it doesn't help you stay focused during that time. No Focus Mode, no distraction blocking, no session structure. It's calendar management, not execution support.

Locu's approach: Full focus infrastructure. Start a session, select a task, get full context visible, automatic distraction blocking, Slack DND enabled, focus timer running. The system protects your execution, not just your calendar.

Time Tracking Is Manual Add-On

Akiflow added time tracking as a feature, but it's still manual start/stop on individual tasks. For freelancers billing hours or engineers measuring execution, this creates the same Toggl burden: remembering to track, switching timers, manual overhead.

Locu's approach: Sessions = natural billing units. Start a session, work on tasks, time tracks naturally. One action (start session) serves both purposes (focus + tracking). Export client-ready timesheets showing exactly what you worked on and when.

Limited Engineering Integrations

Akiflow connects to calendars, email, Slack tasks, and some PM tools. But Jira integration is basic. Linear isn't supported. There's no deep Slack integration (status updates, DND management), no GitHub context pulling.

Locu's approach: Built for engineering workflows. Jira and Linear tasks auto-sync bidirectionally. Slack sets DND and status during focus. Calendar shows meeting context. GitHub commits can link to tasks. It's your execution layer above engineering tools.

Expensive for Solo Users

At $19/month (annual $15/month), Akiflow is priced as a premium calendar/task manager. But if you're a freelancer or IC engineer, you're paying for calendar features you might not fully utilize, without getting the execution support you actually need.

Locu's approach: $12/month ($6/month with Beta discount) for complete execution workspace. Less expensive than Akiflow, with deeper focus and tracking features. Replace Akiflow + your timer + your time tracker with one tool.

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Feature Comparison

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When to Choose Akiflow

✅ You're a PM, consultant, or exec who lives in your calendar
✅ You want every task scheduled to a specific time
✅ Your work is mostly meetings + predictable tasks
✅ You don't need deep focus features or session structure
✅ Calendar-first workflow matches your thinking
✅ You're comfortable with constant rescheduling

Akiflow excels at calendar-centric task management.

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When to Choose Locu

✅ You're an engineer, maker, or freelance developer
✅ Your tasks take unpredictable time (can't time-box accurately)
✅ You need focused execution, not just calendar planning
✅ You want natural time tracking without manual timers
✅ You work in Jira, Linear, and need deep integration
✅ You prefer task-first flexibility over calendar rigidity
✅ You want to measure execution quality, not just time spent

Locu helps you execute in flow, not fight your calendar.

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The Real Difference: Philosophy

Akiflow's philosophy: Plan everything on your calendar. Time-box all tasks. Schedule your entire day.

Locu's philosophy: Prioritize tasks. Execute in flexible sessions. Let tasks take the time they need.

The fundamental difference:

• Akiflow assumes you can predict task duration (calendar-first)
• Locu assumes tasks are unpredictable (execution-first)

For engineering work—debugging, architecture, complex implementation—Locu's approach matches reality better. You can't schedule creativity and problem-solving.

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Switching from Akiflow

What you'll keep:

• Daily planning habit (Locu has Today/Sooner/Later)
• Task prioritization and organization
• Calendar integration for meeting awareness
• Keyboard-first workflow

What you'll change:

• From time-boxing → flexible focus sessions
• From calendar-first → task-first execution
• From manual timer → natural session tracking
• From constant rescheduling → work until done

What you'll gain:

• Focus Mode with distraction blocking
• Work history showing actual execution
• Better Jira/Linear integration
• Focused vs unfocused time insights
• Lower monthly cost

Migration process:

1. Export Akiflow tasks (or sync from Jira/Linear)
2. Set up Locu integrations (Jira, Linear, Calendar, Slack)
3. Do first planning session (5 minutes)
4. Start first focus session and experience the difference

Setup time: 15 minutes
Learning curve: 1-2 days to adjust from calendar-first to execution-first

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Pricing Comparison

Akiflow: $19/month or $15/month (annual)
Locu: $12/month or $6/month (Beta discount)

If you're also running:

• A focus timer: $0-10/month
• Toggl or time tracker: $10-20/month
• Total stack: $29-49/month

Replace all with Locu: $12/month ($6 with Beta)
Savings: $17-43/month ($204-516/year)

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For Freelancers Specifically

Akiflow's limitation: Calendar blocking doesn't map to billable work. Client A's task might be scheduled 2-4pm, but it actually took 1.5 hours. Now you need to reconcile planned vs actual for invoicing.

Locu's advantage: Sessions = billing units. Work 3 sessions on Client A today? That's exactly 3 hours billable. Export invoice-ready timesheets with task details and notes. No reconciliation needed.

The Locu way: Better work execution + accurate billing = happier you, happier clients.

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