Liberate vs Refocus
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Liberate
This app helps users reduce web distractions by blocking access to specified websites for a set period. It offers a simple, three-step process to create a blacklist and set an end date for blocking, encouraging users to be more productive.
- Block websites in Safari
- Set end dates for blocking
- Create custom blacklists
- Reduce web distractions
- Increase productivity
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Do you want to quit being distracted by your phone? Liberate will help you unshackle and start producing more than you consume. Pick the apps and websites that steal your time, then choose how strict to be: • Block: everything stays blocked until the end time you set • Schedule: blocks start and stop by themselves on the days and hours you choose • Limit: give apps an amount of time, or a number of opens, per hour, day or week, or any mix of the three. Use one up and they're blocked until it resets Blocked means blocked. You can't open those apps or visit those sites until the block ends or the limit resets. For real emergencies there's one Emergency Unblock every 7 days; otherwise, no take-backs ~(‾▿‾)~ No subscription, no ads, no account and no data collected.
Refocus
This app helps you regain control of your digital life by blocking distracting apps and websites. It offers various methods to limit screen time, set schedules, and track your usage, promoting better focus and productivity.
- Block any app or website
- Strict Mode with multiple unblocking challenges
- Set app timers and time limits
- Schedule blocking for specific times
- Location-based blocking
- Screen time analytics
- macOS app available
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Refocus is an app blocker & website blocker that helps you limit screen time on apps! Refocus is easy to use, yet has powerful screen time control features: ▶ Various ways to restrict or lock apps and block websites. Choose what helps you focus! Block any app or site — from social media and games to messaging and news. ▶ "Strict Mode" feature prevents you from unblocking. Set a passcode, or use an NFC tag, or wait a duration (ex. 30 seconds), or do a copy text challenge, or utilize Pomodoro (limit unblocking to 5 times per day, for 25 minutes each, with a 5-minute cooldown between each unblock). ▶ Block for a specific duration (ex. app timer for 30 minutes). ▶ Block at specific times (ex. every weekday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). ▶ Set app limits (ex. after 10 minutes of using Instagram, block it). Set an app time limit! ▶ Hide Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts in Safari. ▶ Block at the location you pick — whether it be home, work or school. ▶ View your daily, weekly and monthly Screen Time analytics. Use Refocus as a screen time tracker! ▶ Mac app that also lets you block apps and websites on macOS. ▶ And more! --- Visit www.refocusapp.co for more information. Terms of Use: - https://refocusapp.co/terms-of-use
Screenshots
Verdict
Liberate and Refocus both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 93% of Refocus's written reviews are positive against 46% of Liberate's. Refocus also leads on ratings volume (12K vs 868) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). Liberate's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Liberate sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Refocus sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Liberate against 4.8 for Refocus. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Refocus has 12K ratings behind it against 868, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 46% of Liberate's written reviews are positive against 93% of Refocus's.
Liberate ships an update every 2 weeks, Refocus weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Liberate | Refocus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (868 ratings) | 4.8 (12K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 45.9% of reviews | 93.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 868 | 12K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 51 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jordan Carney | Labi, LLC |
Customer experience
Liberate
Refocus
User reviews
Liberate
From 868 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 💻 Simple app
- 💰 Cheap
- ✅ Works well
- 🔒 Blocks websites effectively
- 📆 Allows setting time limits
Room to improve
- 🔧 Limited customization options
- 🔓 Easy to bypass
- 🚫 Doesn't block in Chrome
- 🚫 Doesn't block apps
- 🚫 Only blocks in Safari
Refocus
From 12K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to set up and use
- 🚀 Effective at blocking distractions
- 💡 Customizable blocking schedules
- 🔒 Prevents mindless scrolling
- 🚀 Improved productivity and focus
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
- 🔓 Too easy to bypass the blocking
- 💰 Some features require paid subscription
- 🔓 Ability to delete app and remove restrictions
Bugs and requests
Liberate
Reported bugs
3 issues- Not blocking websites as configured
- Stopped working after iOS 18.4 update
- Incompatible with iOS 18.4
Requested features
6 requests- Allow setting different block times for each website
- Add password protection
- Implement allow lists instead of block lists
- Add iCloud sync and automation features
- Provide more blocking options (e.g. block by keyword)
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Add app blocking functionality
Refocus
Reported bugs
3 issues- Blocking issues after phone restart
- Inconsistent behavior when pausing/unpausing sessions
- Crashing when trying to block apps in certain categories
Requested features
5 requests- Passcode or biometric lock to prevent bypassing
- More advanced blocking options (e.g., math problems to unblock)
- Ability to purchase a one-time license instead of subscription
- Notification warnings before blocking sessions end
- Search function to find apps to block more easily
In-app purchases
Liberate
- Small Tip$2.99
- Medium Tip$4.99
- Large Tip$9.99
Refocus
- Refocus Pro3 Days trial2 variants$7.991 Month
- Refocus Pro3 Days trial$8.991 Month
- Refocus Pro3 Days trial$9.991 Month
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- Refocus Pro (Family)7 Days trial$12.991 Month
- Refocus Pro$49.991 Year
- Refocus Pro1 Month trial2 variants$49.991 Year
- Refocus Pro7 Days trial2 variants$49.991 Year
- Refocus Pro1 Year trial$49.991 Year
- Refocus Pro7 Days trial$59.991 Year
- Reset Strict Mode$1.00
- Reset Strict Mode$5.00
- Reset Strict Mode$10.00
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Reset Strict Mode$50.00
