Comparison

Freedom vs Intentional

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

Intentional

This app helps you regain control of your screen time by requiring you to justify opening blocked applications. An AI judge evaluates your arguments, granting temporary access if your reasoning is sound, or denying it to encourage mindful usage.

Highlights
  • AI-powered app blocking
  • Justify app access with AI judge
  • Customizable blocking schedules
  • Focus Score and progress tracking
  • Multiple AI judge personas
  • Emergency passes for urgent needs
Read full description

Intentional is the app blocker that actually works - because it makes you think before you scroll. Most blockers fail because they're too easy to bypass. Intentional is different. When you try to open a blocked app, you're met by an AI judge who makes you argue your case. Want to open Instagram right now? Tell the judge why. If your reason is solid, you get a few minutes. If not, you're denied, and most of the time, you'll realize you didn't really need it. HOW IT WORKS Set up your blocks: choose which apps to block, when to block them, and how strict you want the judge to be. When you try to open a blocked app, the Shield appears. You can argue your case, use an emergency pass, or stay focused. The AI Judge listens, evaluates your reasoning, and decides. Approved arguments unlock the app for a limited time. Denied arguments send you back to your day, usually realizing you didn't need it after all. CHOOSE YOUR JUDGE Pick the persona that fits your style: • Lawyer — logical, evidence-based, professional • Therapist — empathetic, curious, explores your patterns • Sergeant — strict, no excuses, high standards • Philosopher — big-picture thinker, questions your intentions TRACK YOUR PROGRESS Your Focus Score shows how intentional your day was. Watch your streaks grow, see which apps distract you most, and get insights on the time you've saved. The goal isn't perfection, it's awareness. KEY FEATURES • Smart Blocking — set schedules for specific days and hours • AI Negotiation — argue in text or voice to unlock for limited time • Difficulty Levels — Easy, Hard, or Hardcore blocking • Emergency Passes — limited-use passes for genuine urgency • Focus Score — a daily measure of your digital intentionality • 7-Day Streaks — build consistency over time • App Breakdown — see exactly which apps trigger you most • Deep Onboarding — the judge learns your habits, triggers, and goals from day one Intentional works with Screen Time to block apps at the system level, it can't be easily bypassed. Whether you're trying to cut back on TikTok, stop reflexively opening Twitter, or just be more present, Intentional gives you the friction that makes the difference. Your attention is yours. Use it intentionally. Terms of Use: https://intentionalai.github.io/Intentional/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://intentionalai.github.io/Intentional/privacy.html

Screenshots

Freedom4 screens
Intentional4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Intentional at free with in-app purchases against Freedom's subscription. Intentional also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 64%). Freedom's advantage is ratings volume (6.1K vs 7) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). On price, rating, ads 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 Intentional sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. 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 — 4.5 for Freedom against 4.4 for Intentional. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Freedom has 6.1K ratings behind it against 7, 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 100% of Intentional's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Freedom ships an update every 2 weeks, Intentional monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Freedom versus Intentional: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFreedomIntentional
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (6.1K ratings) — better4.4 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews64.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6.1K — better7
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.116.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size94 MB79 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEighty Percent SolutionsSHM Ventures LLC

Customer experience

Freedom

All ratings6,059 ratings
Positive85.6%
Neutral3.0%
Negative11.4%
Written reviews1,388 reviews
Positive64.3%
Neutral7.5%
Negative28.2%

Intentional

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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)

Intentional

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
3 purchases

Intentional

Subscriptions3
  • Intentional Pro$4.997 Days
  • Intentional Pro2 variants$6.991 Month
  • Intentional Pro2 variants$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Freedom free?
Freedom is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Intentional free?
Intentional is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Freedom or Intentional?
Freedom is rated higher. Freedom averages 4.5 out of 5 from 6.1K ratings, while Intentional averages 4.4 from 7 ratings.
Do Freedom or Intentional have ads?
Neither Freedom nor Intentional shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Freedom or Intentional?
Freedom ships an update every 2 weeks, and Intentional monthly. Most recently, Freedom was updated on November 11, 2026 and Intentional on October 30, 2026.

Other comparisons