Comparison

one sec | screen time + focus vs Barrier

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

Barrier

This app helps you break free from social media distractions by blocking access to social apps. It encourages healthier digital habits by requiring users to watch an ad or wait before accessing them, promoting mindful usage and digital wellness.

Highlights
  • Block social media apps
  • Limit app access
  • Promote healthier digital habits
  • Incentivize reduced scrolling
  • Digital wellness assistant
Features
Read full description

Are you tired of wasting precious hours scrolling through social media apps? Do you want to break free from the cycle of constant distractions? Barrier is here to help. Our app acts as a blocker for social media apps, limiting your access and promoting healthier digital habits. With Barrier, you can only open your social media apps if you watch an ad or wait our 30 second load times, creating an incentive to reduce the amount of time you spend scrolling mindlessly. But Barrier is more than just a blocker. It's a digital wellness assistant, helping you take control of your digital life Don't let social media control your life. Take back control with Barrier!

Screenshots

one sec | screen time + focus4 screens
Barrier4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barrier at none against one sec | screen time + focus's 6. one sec | screen time + focus's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (24K vs 308). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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 $2.99 per month. Barrier asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for one sec | screen time + focus against 4.7 for Barrier. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: one sec | screen time + focus has 24K ratings behind it against 308, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 76% of one sec | screen time + focus's written reviews are positive against 80% of Barrier's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, Barrier fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
one sec | screen time + focus versus Barrier: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterone sec | screen time + focusBarrier
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings) — better4.7 (308 ratings)
Positive reviews75.9% of reviews80.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24K — better308
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size368 MB42 MB
Age rating4+12+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.Haplo, LLC

Customer experience

one sec | screen time + focus

All ratings23,574 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral1.5%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews1,610 reviews
Positive75.9%
Neutral9.4%
Negative14.7%

Barrier

All ratings308 ratings
Positive91.6%
Neutral3.6%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews66 reviews
Positive80.3%
Neutral10.6%
Negative9.1%

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)

Barrier

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)$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 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
None

Barrier

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
one sec | screen time + focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Barrier free?
Barrier is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, one sec | screen time + focus or Barrier?
one sec | screen time + focus is rated higher. one sec | screen time + focus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Barrier averages 4.7 from 308 ratings.
Do one sec | screen time + focus or Barrier have ads?
Barrier shows ads; one sec | screen time + focus does not.
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or Barrier?
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, and Barrier fortnightly. Most recently, one sec | screen time + focus was updated on September 25, 2026 and Barrier on September 23, 2026.

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