Comparison

Block Distracting Websites vs Tomato Timer ۬

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Block Distracting Websites

Temporarily block distracting websites in Safari to improve focus and productivity. Set a timer to prevent early unlocking and break wasteful browsing habits. Includes a predefined list of common time-wasters.

Highlights
  • Block distracting websites on Safari
  • Temporarily disable website access
  • Set unlock timers
  • Predefined list of distracting sites
  • Customizable block lists
  • Enhance self-control
Features
Read full description

"It's a great way to save time, and stop browsing Reddit when you should be doing coursework." App has been featured by LIFEHACKER.COM Inspired by a well known SelfControl, it aims to provide a similar functionality on iOS. Have you ever wasted your time on the Internet? Having trouble getting stuff done because of procrastination? Do you need more self control? This app allows you to temporarily block distracting (or all) websites on Safari browser. You can unlock them again but it requires that you think twice before doing so: "Do I really need to browse funny cat pictures right now?". Optionally you can set a timer, not allowing you to unblock distracting websites until the time is up. Getting rid of your wasteful browsing habits is as easy as downloading this app and adding your favorite time wasters list. A predefined list of potentially distracting websites is provided. More freedom and focus GUARANTEED. Preview video music: http://www.bensound.com TESTIMONIALS "Nice! Have been seeking for something like this for a long time!" "If you have a bad habit of being glued to your phone when you should be doing other things, this might help and give you the push you need to break that habit." "The app works great, and does exactly what it says, with no fuss." "I need an app like this on my fridge."

About

Tomato Timer ۬

This app helps you improve focus and productivity using the Pomodoro Technique. It offers customizable timers, ambient soundscapes, sub-task management, and detailed statistics to track your progress.

Highlights
  • Customizable Pomodoro timers
  • Multiple ambient sound options
  • Sub-task management
  • Advanced statistics tracking
  • Default Pomodoro timer
Features
Read full description

Pomodoro is an age-old time management and effective focus-improvement technique. Our Pomodoro Timer app brings that technique right to your iPhone/iPad. Besides other traditional focus timer apps, our app actually includes the default pomodoro timer, but also allows you to create your own timers and customize the length of your focus session, short break, long break, etc. It might look like a very small app, but it isn’t one, it has options to add sub-tasks, play multiple ambient sounds at once, and track all your focus sessions using our advanced statistics manager (pro-users) Key Features > Default Pomodoro Timer: This is a default timer created which allows people to just download the app and start the pomodoro technique based timer. > Create Multiple Timers: Create multiple Pomodoros or timers for different tasks. So whether you want to improve focus during a workout or study time, create a timer, set focus time, short breaks, long breaks, and you’re done! Do this for all the activities which require high-quality focus time. > Play multiple Ambient sounds at once: Currently our app has recordings of 15 different natural sounds, you can pick multiple For instance, you can play forest, thunderstorm, and bonfire. According to research, music of the right choice can boost focus by 30%. > Add Sub-Tasks: There’s always a micro-task under your main task which you forget, that’s why we’ve added the “add sub-tasks” functionality. Basically, you can add sub-tasks for your main tasks and mark them as done on the go. > Advanced Statistics: Do you want to calculate the time you’ve spent focusing on different tasks? How much is your break time, how many hours of focus did you take on a given day, what was the “Category” which requires more of your focus time, etc.? Well, this app is what you need. What is the Pomodoro Technique? It’s an old technique that helps people to stay focused, boost productivity. How does it work? 1. Choose a task 2. Set a 25-minute timer and work on it. 3. Take a 5 minute “short” break after 25 minutes of focus. 4. Take a long break after you’ve completed 4 focus sessions. It might look like a very basic technique, people who’ve implemented this technique in their lives noticed an improvement in their focus by 20-45%. What are you waiting for? Install the app now. Privacy Policy: https://pomodoro-timer.appstraw.com/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://pomodoro-timer.appstraw.com/terms-conditions

Screenshots

Block Distracting Websites4 screens
Tomato Timer ۬4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Tomato Timer ۬ at Free against Block Distracting Websites's $3.99. Tomato Timer ۬ also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 41%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.3). Block Distracting Websites's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Tomato Timer ۬ is free to download; Block Distracting Websites costs $3.99 up front. Tomato Timer ۬ sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. Block Distracting Websites asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tomato Timer ۬ holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 227 and 189 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of Block Distracting Websites's written reviews are positive against 80% of Tomato Timer ۬'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Block Distracting Websites ships an update monthly, Tomato Timer ۬ every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Block Distracting Websites versus Tomato Timer ۬: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBlock Distracting WebsitesTomato Timer ۬
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (227 ratings)4.7 (189 ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.5% of reviews80.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings227 — better189
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB64 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperPawel UrbanekBoltQ Media

Customer experience

Block Distracting Websites

All ratings227 ratings
Positive80.2%
Neutral5.7%
Negative14.1%
Written reviews79 reviews
Positive40.5%
Neutral13.9%
Negative45.6%

Tomato Timer ۬

All ratings189 ratings
Positive93.7%
Neutral2.6%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews46 reviews
Positive80.4%
Neutral2.2%
Negative17.4%

User reviews

Block Distracting Websites

From 227 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and easy to use
  • ✅ Works flawlessly for many
  • 💰 Affordable one-time purchase
  • ⏱️ Effective for breaking habits
  • ⏳ Long blocking durations possible

Room to improve

  • 🚫 Only works for Safari
  • 🔓 Easily bypassed/disabled
  • ❌ Doesn't block apps
  • 🐛 Inconsistent functionality
  • 🤷‍♂️ No developer support mentioned

Tomato Timer ۬

From 189 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Perfect for students
  • 👍 Helpful and adjustable
  • 💰 Free to use
  • 👍 Simple concept executed well
  • ✨ Sleek and effective

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Timer pauses when switching apps
  • 🐛 Phone locks during timer
  • 🐛 Timer stops when phone is locked
  • 💸 Expensive lifetime subscription
  • ❌ No voice alert customization

Bugs and requests

Block Distracting Websites

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • Doesn't block websites or apps
  • Help screen unhelpful
  • Host name invalid for blocking endpoints
  • Doesn't work on iPad/phone
  • Too easy to turn off in settings
Show 8 more
  • Websites stay blocked after unblocking
  • Stopped working with new iOS update
  • Can't enable the app (grayed out)
  • Blocked sites open as normal
  • Unable to get it to work as a content blocker
  • Blocks all internet access
  • Upper limit is 1 day for blocking
  • No timer function visible/obvious

Requested features

14 requests
  • Scheduling feature for automatic blocking
  • Block specific URLs (e.g., YouTube.com/shorts)
  • Block apps
  • PIN code for changes
  • Block websites for specific time frames (e.g., 9-5)
Show 9 more
  • Block individual websites for different durations
  • Allow setting end date further forward while timer is ongoing
  • Block longer than 24 hours (days/weeks)
  • Landscape orientation on iPad
  • iCloud sync
  • macOS version
  • Keyword pattern blocking
  • White list for periods
  • Stronger feature disallowing unlocking

Tomato Timer ۬

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • Timer pauses when using other applications
  • Phone automatically locks during the timer
  • Timer stops when the phone is locked
  • No dynamics island or Live activities
  • Widget is not interactive
Show 5 more
  • Voice alert customization reverts to default
  • Timer goes before I start
  • Timer runs super fast
  • Sound clips abruptly stop and start
  • Timer only counts time when screen is unlocked

Requested features

11 requests
  • Fix timer pausing when switching apps
  • Add dynamic island support
  • Add watch app support
  • Add interactive widget
  • Add Korean language for break notifications
Show 6 more
  • Add cross-device synchronization
  • Add Spanish language support
  • Allow preview of premium ambient sounds
  • Longer ambient sound tracks
  • Adjustable and savable focus length
  • Customizable and savable voice alerts

In-app purchases

None

Block Distracting Websites

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Tomato Timer ۬

Subscriptions1
  • Pomodoro Pro Yearly3 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time2
  • Pomodoro Pro Lifetime Gift$3.99
  • Pomodoro Pro Lifetime$19.99

Questions

Is Block Distracting Websites free?
Block Distracting Websites costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tomato Timer ۬ free?
Tomato Timer ۬ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Block Distracting Websites or Tomato Timer ۬?
Tomato Timer ۬ is rated higher. Block Distracting Websites averages 4.3 out of 5 from 227 ratings, while Tomato Timer ۬ averages 4.7 from 189 ratings.
Do Block Distracting Websites or Tomato Timer ۬ have ads?
Neither Block Distracting Websites nor Tomato Timer ۬ shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Block Distracting Websites or Tomato Timer ۬?
Block Distracting Websites ships an update monthly, and Tomato Timer ۬ every 3 weeks. Most recently, Block Distracting Websites was updated on October 24, 2026 and Tomato Timer ۬ on October 21, 2026.

Other comparisons