Comparison

Freedom vs Impulse

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

Impulse

This app helps you block distracting applications and websites to improve focus and productivity. It offers customizable blocking levels and group features for shared accountability.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps and websites
  • Set daily usage limits
  • Three strictness levels: Easy, Medium, Hard
  • Create custom focus profiles
  • Group blocking for shared accountability
  • Works across iPhone and Chrome extension
Features
Read full description

Block distractions. Stay focused. Do it together. Impulse blocks the apps and websites that waste your time — so you can focus on what actually matters. Whether you need to study, work, or just stop scrolling, Impulse gives you real control over your screen time. BLOCK APPS & WEBSITES Choose the apps and sites that distract you. Block them during specific time slots or set daily usage limits. Pick your strictness level: Easy (unlock anytime), Medium (with friction), or Hard (no way out until time's up). THREE LEVELS OF STRICTNESS Easy: Unlock whenever you want. Medium: Added friction to make you think twice. Hard: Locked until time's up. No exceptions. FOCUS MODE — NEW Sometimes you just need to lock in. Create focus profiles — pick your apps, set a default timer, choose your difficulty — and activate them with a single tap whenever you need to concentrate. 15, 25, 45, or 60 minutes. Or go unlimited. Your focus, your rules. GROUPS — NEW Better habits are easier together. Create a group, configure shared blocks, and invite friends or family with a simple code. Everyone gets the same rules applied to their phone. See who's keeping their streak alive and who needs a nudge. Perfect for study groups, digital detox challenges, or families who want less screen time together. WORKS ACROSS DEVICES Impulse is available on iPhone and as a Chrome extension. Block distractions on your phone and your browser. PRIVATE & SECURE No account required. No tracking. Your data stays on your device. Download Impulse and take back your time.

Screenshots

Freedom4 screens
Impulse4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Freedom at 4.4 against Impulse's 3.0. Freedom also leads on ratings volume (5.9K vs 1) and chart position (#183 vs unranked). Impulse's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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. Impulse asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Freedom holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Freedom has 5.9K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 64% of Freedom's written reviews are positive against 67% of Impulse's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Freedom ships an update every 9 days, Impulse fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Freedom versus Impulse: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFreedomImpulse
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (5.9K ratings) — better3.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews64.0% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5.9K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
Best chart rank#183 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size90 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEighty Percent SolutionsPablo Granados

Customer experience

Freedom

All ratings5,878 ratings
Positive85.3%
Neutral3.1%
Negative11.7%
Written reviews1,352 reviews
Positive64.0%
Neutral7.6%
Negative28.4%

Impulse

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

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)

Impulse

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
None

Impulse

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Freedom free?
Freedom is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Impulse free?
Impulse is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Freedom or Impulse?
Freedom is rated higher. Freedom averages 4.4 out of 5 from 5.9K ratings, while Impulse averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Freedom or Impulse have ads?
Neither Freedom nor Impulse shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Freedom or Impulse?
Freedom ships an update every 9 days, and Impulse fortnightly. Most recently, Freedom was updated on September 26, 2026 and Impulse on September 10, 2026.

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