# Freedom vs StepBloc

The clearest difference is monetization model: StepBloc at freemium against Freedom's subscription. Freedom's advantage is ratings volume (5.9K vs 485) and chart position (#191 vs unranked). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Freedom sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and StepBloc sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 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 — 4.4 for Freedom against 4.5 for StepBloc. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Freedom has 5.9K ratings behind it against 485, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 64% and 64% positive.

Freedom ships an update every 9 days, StepBloc weekly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Freedom | StepBloc |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (5.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freedom-screen-time-control/id1269788228/reviews) | **[4.5 (485 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepbloc-screen-time-blocker/id6480580480/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **5.9K** | 485 |
| Positive reviews | 63.6% of reviews | **63.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Freemium** |
| Best chart rank | **#191** | — |
| Size | 90 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.1 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Eighty Percent Solutions](https://appshunter.io/developer/960372430) | [Hamsters Technology](https://appshunter.io/developer/1684075068) |

## What reviewers say

### Freedom

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freedom-screen-time-control/id1269788228)

**Currently charting:** #191 Top Grossing · Productivity (US App Store)

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:** Safari Extension, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $8.99 | per month |
| Freedom Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Freedom Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Freedom Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Freedom Forever | $199.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Effective at blocking distractions
- 👍 Customizable blocklists
- 🔒 Locked mode prevents bypassing
- 💡 Cross-device sync
- 👍 Helpful for productivity and focus

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent blocking, doesn't always work as expected
- 🐛 Scheduled sessions don't always start automatically
- 🐛 Buggy, crashes frequently
- 🔒 Easy to bypass by disabling VPN or deleting app
- 👎 Limited app blocking on iOS

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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)


### StepBloc

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepbloc-screen-time-blocker/id6480580480)

This app helps you reduce screen time by requiring physical activity to unlock distracting apps. Earn your app access by completing workouts like push-ups, squats, or reaching step goals. Take control of your digital habits and improve your health simultaneously.

**Highlights:** Earn app access through push-ups, squats, or steps, Block distracting apps until goals are met, App blocking scheduler, Set daily usage limits, Track focus minutes, Digital habit insights and reports, HealthKit integration for step tracking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Pass | $3.99 | per month |
| Premium Pass | $19.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Blocks apps very well
- 👍 Free to use
- 👍 Innovative concept
- 👍 Effective screen time reduction
- 👍 Motivates exercise

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Push-up/squat tracking issues
- 🐛 Daily limits in free version
- 🐛 Limited free features
- 🐛 Unintuitive timer
- 🐛 Lacking features

**Reported bugs**

- Push-up counter can be cheated
- Squat counter can be cheated
- App keeps blocks after deletion
- Push-up system is faulty
- Squats not registered correctly

**Requested features**

- Accumulate screen time
- Start day with screen time
- Reset banked steps daily
- Widget for progress tracking
- Macbook app


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Freedom free?

Freedom is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is StepBloc free?

StepBloc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Freedom or StepBloc?

StepBloc is rated higher. Freedom averages 4.4 out of 5 from 5.9K ratings, while StepBloc averages 4.5 from 485 ratings.

### Do Freedom or StepBloc have ads?

Neither Freedom nor StepBloc shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Freedom or StepBloc?

Freedom ships an update every 9 days, and StepBloc weekly. Most recently, Freedom was updated on September 24, 2026 and StepBloc on September 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*