one sec | screen time + focus vs ClearSpace
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
one sec | screen time + focus
This app introduces intentional friction to distracting apps and websites, helping users reduce screen time and improve focus. It delays access rather than blocking, promoting long-term behavioral change. Integrates with other apps for enhanced productivity.
- Adds friction to distracting apps
- Delays app access instead of blocking
- Reduces app usage significantly
- Doom Scroll Emergency Brake (Re-Intervention)
- Free Safari extension for websites
- Integrates with other productivity apps
Read full descriptionHide full description
Willpower is not enough against social media algorithms! That’s why I made one sec: one sec adds friction to distracting apps to make them less appealing…long-term! This principle works really well: we have gained scientific evidence in numerous research studies with the Max-Planck Institute, with the German and Danish government, and in dozens more scientific collaborations: one sec has incredible effects on your screen time: app usage drops by 57% on average! …just read our App Store reviews or try it for yourself if you don’t believe me (…you should really try it)! How is one sec different from Screen Time limits or app blockers? - one sec DELAYS access to distracting apps instead of blocking apps completely – that’s an important difference psychologically. - This way, we solve the screen time problem at its roots: long-term & sustainably! - one sec is always on, and makes using social media just slightly more annoying…so you’ll end up using it only when you actually have a reason! Which apps can I use with one sec? - You can set up one sec with any app you’d like to use less / more intentional. - Most popular use-cases are: social media, games, video streaming, dating, stock/coin trading, adult content. - Using one sec with one app of your choice if completely free, for more you’ll need to purchase one sec pro (we also need to finance development of our app!). What if I get stuck scrolling? - No worries, one sec offers a Doom Scroll Emergency Brake: We call it Re-Intervention. - After a set time (e.g. 5 minutes) you’ll be kicked out of social media, and you’ll have to go through an intervention again to unlock more time. Where can I learn more about the scientific background of one sec? → https://one-sec.app/research Can I use one sec to interrupt access to websites as well? → Yes, one sec offers a free Safari extension as well. How does one sec work technically? - one sec uses Shortcuts Automation to toggle a deep breath animation whenever you open one of the configured apps (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube…). - This breaks unconscious social media habits short-term (literally, as soon as you have set it up) and even helps long-term by adding more friction when opening these apps. Integrations: - Structured: one sec blocks apps during unfinished tasks. - LENGO: learn vocabulary to unlock social media. I developed one sec for myself in 2020…and it worked so well I decided to upload it to the App Store. Especially for people with ADHD one sec is a great tool to gain back control for incredible focus and concentration. – Frederik Legal information: Available Subscription Options: one sec pro (annual / monthly / lifetime unlock) one sec can contribute mindful moments to the Health App via HealthKit. one sec is covered by U.S. Patent 12,468,828 B2. Terms (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://one-sec.app/privacy/
ClearSpace
This app helps you regain control of your phone usage by making your device less addictive. It offers tools to block distractions, manage app time, and build better digital habits. Achieve greater focus, productivity, and mental well-being by reducing impulse opens and doomscrolling.
- Block and limit distracting apps
- Manage social media doomscrolling
- Set schedules for app usage
- Build better digital habits
- Engage in attention-building challenges
- Minimalist and straightforward design
- Accountability partners for goals
- Detailed screen time reporting
Read full descriptionHide full description
Controlling Screen Time is critical for mental health, focus, productivity, and relationships. Social media and other addictive apps can easily distract you from your goals. Clearspace helps you control screen time by giving you the tools to fight phone addiction by making your phone less addictive. Clearspace blocks distractions while retaining utilities. Say goodbye to impulse opens and social media doom scrolling. You don’t need to quit cold turkey or buy a dumb phone in order to get your scrolling in check. Instead of a new device, Clearspace gives you the freedom to make sober minded decisions about your usage allowing you to get control of your screen time. Attention is a precious resource, protect it with Clearspace features: - Block and Limit apps: block any apps you find distracting and limit screen time. - Social Media Doomscrolling: app time limits enable session management makes sure you don’t scroll for too long. - Focus management: set schedules for when to use apps - Habit change: dopamine is less powerful when you pause before opening an app which eventually creates a virtuous habit loop to make habits more atomic. - Screen Time Challenges: train your attention by engaging in challenges that strengthen your ability to focus. - Minimalist Design: the app is straightforward. We don’t want to take your attention away, instead we give it back to you. - Screen Time Accountability: have trusted accountability partners help you stick to your goals. - Screen Time Reporting: Streaks and budgets give you a better look at your screen time data in a way that helps you improve. - Digital Wellbeing: Align your intentions with your usage of your phone. Alignment can be helpful in health journeys battling anxiety and adhd. Blocking Apps helps you control impulse clicks. Users find that Clearspace helps them: - Reduce social media impulse opens - Focus on deep work and engage in flow state activities Social Media Doomscrolling is the cause of excessive screen time for many people, with Clearspace users report that: - Phone Addiction subsides - Dopamine craving for apps is less powerful Digital Minimalism is a new health wave that Clearspace enables for users: - Limiting apps in alignment with your intention - Mindfulness practices encourage a more balanced approach to phone usage Digital Wellbeing is a large and growing consideration in the health and wellness spaces. Clearspace users have found it helpful in dealing with: - Anxiety - ADHD - Depression - Socializing Research demonstrates that negative habits are hard to change through willpower alone, but that small, recurring nudges are effective at reshaping default patterns of behavior. Enter Clearspace. The idea is simple: - Select an app that you want to use less - When you click on a selected app, decide - proceed after a deep breath or opt out? - Over time, you'll notice you are in control of the usage Controlling Screen Time is essential for digital wellbeing, freedom from phone addiction, and maintaining focus. Clearspace empowers users with app limits, screen time control, and an app blocker to combat social media distractions. By aligning intentions with usage, Clearspace fosters healthier habits and a mindful approach to technology. Its minimalist design ensures attention is not diverted, enabling users to reclaim their time and break free from the grips of excessive screen time. With features such as screen time reporting, accountability partners, and challenges, Clearspace offers the tools needed to reshape default patterns of behavior and reduce the powerful hold of dopamine-driven app cravings. Embrace Clearspace as your ally in the journey towards a balanced digital lifestyle. Clearspace is a diet program for your digital consumption. A reminder to breathe before making decisions. Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy: https://getclearspace.notion.site/Privacy-Policy-05fb16506a294132acee914a8f6e5331
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: one sec | screen time + focus at none against ClearSpace's shown. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on device support (4 vs 1). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. one sec | screen time + focus sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and ClearSpace sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 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 — 4.8 for one sec | screen time + focus against 4.7 for ClearSpace. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24K and 8.8K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 76% of one sec | screen time + focus's written reviews are positive against 69% of ClearSpace's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.
| Parameter | one sec | screen time + focus | ClearSpace |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (24K ratings) — better | 4.7 (8.8K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 75.9% of reviews — better | 69.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 24K — better | 8.8K |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 368 MB | 80 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | riedel.wtf apps S.L. | clearspace |
Customer experience
one sec | screen time + focus
ClearSpace
User reviews
one sec | screen time + focus
From 24K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Saves time
- 👍 Helps reduce screen time
- 💡 Customizable interventions
- 👍 Effective at curbing habits
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy at times
- 💰 Premium features behind paywall
- 🔒 Concerns about privacy/data collection
- 🔒 Inability to fully disable the app
- 🐛 Inconsistent behavior across apps
ClearSpace
From 8.8K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Helps reduce screen time
- 🚀 Effective at limiting app usage
- 💡 Breathing exercise and quotes are helpful
- 🤖 Tracks app usage well
- 🤔 Makes users more mindful about phone usage
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy and laggy performance
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔓 Allows bypassing restrictions
- 🤖 Limited to one app in free version
- 🤔 Breathing exercise can be annoying
Bugs and requests
one sec | screen time + focus
Reported bugs
4 issues- App switching issues
- Interventions not triggering properly
- Inconsistent behavior with shortcuts
- Crashes and freezes on certain devices
Requested features
6 requests- Ability to block more apps for free
- Customizable intervention timers
- Scheduled app blocking/access
- Passcode protection for settings
- Sync settings across devices
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- More intervention types (e.g. games)
ClearSpace
Reported bugs
4 issues- Crashes when trying to block apps
- Notification issues and UI glitches
- Inconsistent tracking of app usage
- Problems with phone number verification
Requested features
5 requests- Allow blocking multiple apps in free version
- Add more exercise options beyond just breathing
- Provide more customization options
- Integrate with other fitness/health tracking apps
- Improve website/app blocking capabilities
In-app purchases
one sec | screen time + focus
- one sec pro (1 Month)$2.991 Month
- one sec pro | Family Plan (1 Month)7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- one sec pro (1 Year)7 Days trial$19.991 Year
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- one sec pro | Family Plan (1 Year)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- one sec pro | Lifetime$99.99
- one sec pro | Family Lifetime$149.00
ClearSpace
- ClearSpace Premium (Monthly)$6.991 Month
- Clearspace Premium Student$9.991 Year
- ClearSpace Premium (Annual)$44.991 Year
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Clearspace Premium7 Days trial$44.991 Year
- Clearspace Premium3 Days trial$49.991 Year
- Clearspace Premium7 Days trial$49.991 Year
- Clearspace Premium7 Days trial$59.991 Year
- Clearspace Premium Family$79.991 Year
Questions
Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
Is ClearSpace free?
Which has better reviews, one sec | screen time + focus or ClearSpace?
Do one sec | screen time + focus or ClearSpace have ads?
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or ClearSpace?
Other comparisons















