Comparison

one sec | screen time + focus vs Screen Freedom

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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/

About

Screen Freedom

This app helps you reduce phone usage by partnering with a friend for accountability. Set screen time goals for specific apps, and they'll automatically block when you reach your limit. Your friend is notified if you try to break the goal, offering support or even the ability to deny your request.

Highlights
  • Partner accountability for screen time
  • Set app-specific time limits
  • Automatic app blocking
  • Friend notifications for goal breaks
  • Friend can deny requests to exceed limits
  • Track individual and partner streaks
  • View historical goal achievement data
Read full description

Have you ever tried to spend less time on your phone? There are so many solutions out there, but they all seem to rely on your discipline in one way or another. Although that can work for some, here at Screen Freedom we have an alternative solution: accountability! Screen Freedom allows you to partner with a friend and hold each other accountable for how much time you spend on your phones. Simply set a screen time goal, selecting the apps of your choice and choosing a daily time limit. Next, use those apps until you reach your limit, at which point they block. At this point, you can either go on living your life, adding a successful day to your screen time streak, or you can unblock your apps, at which point your friend will be notified of your decision and given the chance to reach out to you to offer support. You can also optionally give your friend the ability to deny your request to go over your goal! With Screen Freedom, you are no longer alone in your battle against tech giants attempting to control your attention. Unlock the power of accountability and be amazed at how many hours you save! Key Features: - Partner with a friend, holding each other accountable for your screen time usage - Select a screen time goal, choosing what apps to track and your time limit on them - Automatically block your chosen apps when you reach your daily time limit - Notify your friend if you choose to break your daily screen time goal - Turn on accountability lock to allow your friend to accept or deny your request to exceed your screen time goal - Build your individual goal-achieved streak, as well as your cumulative streak with your partner - View your own and your partner's historical data of goal-achievement - Track your feelings at the time of breaking your screen time goal Note: Although data concerning whether you successfully achieved your goal is saved in the cloud to share with your partner, all specific app-usage data remains securely on your device. We take privacy very seriously and would not risk sensitive data such as this. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

one sec | screen time + focus4 screens
Screen Freedom4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: one sec | screen time + focus at 24K against Screen Freedom's 5. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Screen Freedom's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 76%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, update cadence, 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. one sec | screen time + focus sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Screen Freedom sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Screen Freedom holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: one sec | screen time + focus has 24K ratings behind it against 5, 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 100% of Screen Freedom's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, Screen Freedom every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
one sec | screen time + focus versus Screen Freedom: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterone sec | screen time + focusScreen Freedom
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24K — better5
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size367 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.Emancipas, LLC

Customer experience

one sec | screen time + focus

All ratings23,626 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral1.5%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews1,623 reviews
Positive75.8%
Neutral9.4%
Negative14.7%

Screen Freedom

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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 more
  • More intervention types (e.g. games)

Screen Freedom

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

one sec | screen time + focus

Subscriptions4
  • one sec pro (1 Month)$6.991 Month
  • one sec pro | Family Plan (1 Month)7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • one sec pro (1 Year)7 Days trial$19.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • one sec pro | Family Plan (1 Year)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • one sec pro | Lifetime$99.99
  • one sec pro | Family Lifetime$149.00
2 purchases

Screen Freedom

Subscriptions2
  • Premium - Monthly14 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Premium - Yearly14 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
one sec | screen time + focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Screen Freedom free?
Screen Freedom is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, one sec | screen time + focus or Screen Freedom?
Screen Freedom is rated higher. one sec | screen time + focus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Screen Freedom averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do one sec | screen time + focus or Screen Freedom have ads?
Neither one sec | screen time + focus nor Screen Freedom shows ads.
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or Screen Freedom?
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, and Screen Freedom every 3 weeks. Most recently, one sec | screen time + focus was updated on October 19, 2026 and Screen Freedom on October 10, 2026.

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