# Freedom vs Recode

The clearest difference is monetization model: Recode at freemium against Freedom's subscription. Freedom's advantage is ratings volume (5.9K vs 5) and rating (4.4 vs 4.2). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

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

Freedom holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Freedom has 5.9K ratings behind it against 5, 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 Recode's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Freedom ships an update every 2 weeks, Recode weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Freedom | Recode |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (5.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freedom-screen-time-control/id1269788228/reviews)** | [4.2 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/recode-screen-time-control/id6752352978/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **5.9K** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | 64.1% of reviews | **66.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Freemium** |
| Best chart rank | **#188** | — |
| Size | 93 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.1** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Eighty Percent Solutions](https://appshunter.io/developer/960372430) | [Alexander Hartigan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1839013984) |

## What reviewers say

### Freedom

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

**Currently charting:** #188 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)


### Recode

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/recode-screen-time-control/id6752352978)

This app helps you regain focus by physically preventing access to distracting applications. It requires scanning a QR or barcode to unlock apps, creating friction that discourages reflex checking and promotes productivity.

**Highlights:** Physical app blocking via QR/barcode scan, Accountability through intentional unlocking, Reduces reflex app checking, Promotes focus and productivity, Customizable app blocking schedules

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Pro Yearly | $19.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Freedom free?

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

### Is Recode free?

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

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

Freedom is rated higher. Freedom averages 4.4 out of 5 from 5.9K ratings, while Recode averages 4.2 from 5 ratings.

### Do Freedom or Recode have ads?

Neither Freedom nor Recode shows ads.

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

Freedom ships an update every 2 weeks, and Recode weekly. Most recently, Freedom was updated on October 13, 2026 and Recode on October 5, 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.*