Author here. I 100% agree, don't obsess about the tools, do whatever works for you. I use the app mainly for meditation and despite having decades of experience I tend to lose the track of time.

I get the impression that you haven't read the article/UI text in the app, so can't comment on the rest of your message I'm afraid.

But, to you some time: I don't charge for the app, I hate ads, I just want people to sit down and do nothing/stop doomscrolling. No need to meditate and no ideology involved.