Comparison

Freedom vs 3 Minute Journal

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

Head to head
About

Freedom

This app helps you block distracting apps and websites to improve focus and productivity. Schedule blocking sessions across all your devices to build better screen time habits and reclaim productive hours.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps and websites
  • Schedule blocking sessions
  • Sync across all devices
  • Block the internet
  • Locked Mode for habit commitment
  • Focus sounds
Features
Read full description

Block distracting apps and websites so you can focus, be more productive, and build better screen time habits. We've built the world's best app and website blocker, trusted by over 3 million individuals and teams to deliver focused attention for the things that matter most. During a Freedom session, when you attempt to open an app or website on your blocklist, Freedom blocks the app from opening and displays a peaceful green screen - reminding you that you're currently free of that distraction. Freedom users report gaining an average of 2.5 hours of productive time every day. They're more fulfilled, happier with work and family life, and have a healthier relationship with their technology. Schedule a Freedom app blocking session to start automatically when you need it – for complete, seamless control over distractions. Because Freedom works across all your devices, you'll feel confident knowing you're in complete control. We call it mindful productivity. There's no limit to the number of devices (including phones, tablets, and computers) you can connect to Freedom, so you can block apps and websites regardless of where you are or what you're doing. You'll stay focused, productive, and distraction-free. "Our favorite distraction-killing app blocker." – Lifehacker "One antidote to the always-on life is Freedom…" – Time Magazine "As Freedom shows, the solution to the problems created by technology isn't anti-technology, but more and better technology." – Huffington Post "Freedom has garnered celeb fans like Dave Eggers, Nick Hornby, Seth Godin, and Nora Ephron." – Mashable PEACE OF MIND - COVER EVERY DEVICE - For one price, Freedom covers all your devices (phones, tablets, and computers) with our powerful distraction-blocking technology. TURN OFF THE NOISE - BLOCK APPS and WEBSITES - Block distracting apps and websites for as long as you want. Select from a pre-made blocklist or create a custom blocklist of your time-consuming distractions. EXPERIENCE TOTAL PEACE - BLOCK THE INTERNET - Block the internet with a single button. Enjoy peace, quiet, and focus, away from all distractions. Freedom won't block important texts or calls, so you can enjoy offline time knowing you can be reached if need be! SMART COVERAGE - SYNC ACROSS YOUR DEVICES - Distractions aren't limited to your phone! Sync block sessions to your phones, tablets, and computers. There's no limit to the number of devices you can use. CREATE GOOD HABITS - USE POWERFUL SCHEDULING - Schedule your blocks now, later, or create recurring blocks to help make focus and productivity a habit. LOCKED MODE - Use Locked Mode to commit to breaking bad digital habits and addictions. FOCUS SOUNDS - Free audio tracks give you an assortment of music, café, office, and nature sounds to help you stay focused and productive, no matter where you are. We're excited about helping you be the best version of yourself. We're continually building new tools - and they're always included in your subscription. We've also got a great Perks program which offers discounts on top productivity products. SUBSCRIPTION PRICING AND TERMS We’re confident that you’ll love Freedom, but just so you can be sure, we offer a 7-day free trial of Freedom Premium. After that it’s only $39.99 per year. Many Freedom users tell us it pays for itself within a few days! These prices are for United States customers. Pricing in other countries may vary and actual charges may be converted to your local currency depending on the country of residence. Your Freedom subscription will automatically renew at the end of each term and your credit card will be charged through your iTunes account. Your subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can turn off auto-renew at any time from your iTunes account settings. Terms and Conditions - https://freedom.to/terms Privacy Policy - https://freedom.to/privacy Thank you!

About

3 Minute Journal

Record your thoughts and reflections using your voice. This app transcribes your audio entries into text, offering both formats for a faster and more engaging journaling experience. Reflect on what's annoying, beautiful, or what you're thankful for daily.

Highlights
  • Voice recording for journal entries
  • Automatic audio transcription to text
  • Daily prompts for reflection
  • Dual audio and text formats
  • User-friendly interface
  • Promotes mindfulness
Features
Read full description

Everyone knows that journaling is good for you and it is something that they should do, but they have a hard time journaling because it takes too long. Handwriting a journal entry or even typing our a journal entry takes way too much time. The 3 minute journal is here to change that. The 3 minute journal lets you journal by using your voice. Simply tap to record, and tap again to finish recording, and then your audio journal entry is saved! The best part is that we also transcribe your audio recording into text, so you have both an audio and text version of your journal entry. The best of both worlds! It's way faster than journaling through traditional methods like handwriting or typing them out, and it's also a BETTER experience. By speaking your journal entries out loud, it almost feels like a mini therapy session, and you feel much more connected to your journaling process. Journal every single by day with an audio recording for three categories: something annoying, something beautiful, and something you're thankful for. Simple press any of the categories and start recording your journal entry. It's that easy. Journaling is a great practice to do every day, but handwriting or even typing journals can take way too long. With Soli Audio Journal, you can journal way faster by using your voice and creating audio recordings. You can record your thoughts and journal about your thoughts in a safe space. Simply tap one of the categories to start recording your journal entry, and tap again to stop recording your journal entry. Once you stop recording, your journal entries are transcribed to text, so you never have to pick between an audio journal entry or a text journal entry — you get both. You can use this in any way that you want — at the start of the day to reflect on your previous day, during the day to record your thoughts, or at the end of the day to wind down and to use it as a diary or a journal. Journaling is a great practice that helps promote mindfulness and healthier living, and the 3 Minute Journal is one of the best ways to journal. Try it out! Here is a link to the terms and service of our application. https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Here is a link to the privacy policy of our application. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WKaJDKd7U9LaAW30rI0OyIBhpL-8hk4xUnEK4XMxSvE/edit

Screenshots

Freedom4 screens
3 Minute Journal3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: 3 Minute Journal at free with in-app purchases against Freedom's subscription. 3 Minute Journal also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 weeks). Freedom's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (6.1K vs 12). On price, rating, review sentiment 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Freedom sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and 3 Minute Journal sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Freedom against 4.6 for 3 Minute Journal. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Freedom has 6.1K ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of Freedom's written reviews are positive against 63% of 3 Minute Journal's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Freedom ships an update every 2 weeks, 3 Minute Journal every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Freedom versus 3 Minute Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFreedom3 Minute Journal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (6.1K ratings)4.6 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews64.3% of reviews — better62.5% of reviews
Number of ratings6.1K — better12
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#197 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size94 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEighty Percent SolutionsYATB LLC

Customer experience

Freedom

All ratings6,059 ratings
Positive85.6%
Neutral3.0%
Negative11.4%
Written reviews1,372 reviews
Positive64.3%
Neutral7.5%
Negative28.2%

3 Minute Journal

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative25.0%

Bugs and requests

Freedom

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Blocks unintended apps/websites
  • Fails to block certain apps like Facebook, Instagram
  • Doesn't work in low power mode on iOS

Requested features

4 requests
  • Allow specific app whitelisting
  • Add time limit/usage tracking features
  • Improve scheduling options (e.g. by day, not just time)
  • Better integration with mobile OS features (e.g. iOS Screen Time)

3 Minute Journal

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Freedom

Subscriptions5
  • Monthly Subscription$8.991 Month
  • Freedom Monthly$12.991 Month
  • Freedom Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$39.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Yearly Subscription1 Year trial$39.991 Year
  • Freedom Yearly7 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • Freedom Forever$199.00
2 purchases

3 Minute Journal

Subscriptions2
  • 3 Minute Journal Pro$2.991 Month
  • 3 Minute Journal Pro$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Freedom free?
Freedom is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 3 Minute Journal free?
3 Minute Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Freedom or 3 Minute Journal?
3 Minute Journal is rated higher. Freedom averages 4.4 out of 5 from 6.1K ratings, while 3 Minute Journal averages 4.6 from 12 ratings.
Do Freedom or 3 Minute Journal have ads?
3 Minute Journal shows ads; Freedom does not.
Which is updated more often, Freedom or 3 Minute Journal?
Freedom ships an update every 2 weeks, and 3 Minute Journal every 2 days. Most recently, Freedom was updated on October 30, 2026 and 3 Minute Journal on October 6, 2026.

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