one sec | screen time + focus vs BeTimeful
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/
BeTimeful
This app helps you stay focused by removing distracting elements from social media and YouTube, allowing you to use them intentionally. It offers smart time limits and integration with your calendar to manage your usage effectively.
- Removes distracting elements from social media
- Smart time limits
- Google Calendar integration
- Auto Discipline Mode
- Unlimited blocking
Read full descriptionHide full description
Let's face it, how many times have we gone to YouTube for something specific only to end up watching a video on beluga whales doing somersaults? How many times have we gone to Instagram just to message a friend to find ourselves scrolling 20 minutes deep into the news feed abyss? Too many times. BeTimeful is not another blocker app that blocks social media just to make you want to visit it more. Instead, it only takes the distracting elements of social media so you can still use social media & YouTube to your advantage! Technology is a tool for us to use. But if technology is using us, then who becomes the tool? - Jim Kwik At BeTimeful nation, technology becomes OUR tool, not vice versa. Join the mission & lets help each other one person at a time. After the 5 days free trial, you can subscribe to BeTimeful Annual (12 months) for $49 BeTimeful’s Pro membership which includes: 1. Unlimited blocking to distracting social media websites 2. Smart time limits 3. Google Calendar integration 4. Auto Discipline Mode 5. Daily Inspirational quotes You can always cancel your subscription by emailing us at: Daniyal@betimeful.com or from your account settings before it auto-renews. Payments are charged on your Apple ID account. Terms of Use: https://www.betimeful.com/eula https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy policy: https://www.betimeful.com/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: one sec | screen time + focus at 4.8 against BeTimeful's 4.0. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on monetization model (freemium vs subscription) and ratings volume (24K vs 87). 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
Both are free to download. one sec | screen time + focus sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and BeTimeful sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
one sec | screen time + focus holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: one sec | screen time + focus has 24K ratings behind it against 87, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of one sec | screen time + focus's written reviews are positive against 71% of BeTimeful's.
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, BeTimeful fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and August 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | one sec | screen time + focus | BeTimeful |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (24K ratings) — better | 4.0 (87 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 75.9% of reviews — better | 71.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 24K — better | 87 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 368 MB | 246 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | riedel.wtf apps S.L. | Be Timeful Inc |
Customer experience
one sec | screen time + focus
BeTimeful
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
BeTimeful
From 87 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Helpful for reducing screen time
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🔒 Blocks apps effectively
- 💡 Useful break timer feature
- 👍 Responsive customer support
Room to improve
- 🐛 Inconsistent app blocking
- 🔒 Unclear subscription management
- 💰 Expensive for some features
- 🐛 Feedless Instagram not available
- 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription
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)
BeTimeful
Reported bugs
4 issues- App not working properly after breaks
- White screen on app opening
- Safari extension no longer working
- Subscription issues and unauthorized charges
Requested features
4 requests- Feedless option for more apps
- Scheduling to automatically hide apps
- Free version with more functionality
- Ability to modify feeds for free
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
BeTimeful
- Monthly BeTimeful Pro Access$5.991 Month
- Monthly BeTimeful Pro$7.991 Month
- Annual BeTimeful Pro$49.991 Year
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- 12 Months BeTimeful Pro Access$59.991 Year
- BeTimeful Pro (Annual)$69.991 Year
- Annual BeTimeful Pro2 variants$89.991 Year
Questions
Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
Is BeTimeful free?
Which has better reviews, one sec | screen time + focus or BeTimeful?
Do one sec | screen time + focus or BeTimeful have ads?
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or BeTimeful?
Other comparisons















