# one sec | screen time + focus vs Barrier

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | one sec | screen time + focus | Barrier |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (24K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/one-sec-screen-time-plus-focus/id1532875441/reviews)** | [4.7 (308 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barrier-screen-time-for-focus/id6448244443/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **24K** | 308 |
| Positive reviews | 75.9% of reviews | **80.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 368 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [riedel.wtf apps S.L.](https://appshunter.io/developer/517545753) | [Haplo, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1476210690) |

## What reviewers say

### one sec | screen time + focus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/one-sec-screen-time-plus-focus/id1532875441)

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:** Safari Extension, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| one sec pro (1 Month) | $2.99 | per month |
| one sec pro \| Family Plan (1 Month) | $4.99 | per month |
| one sec pro (1 Year) | $19.99 | per year |
| one sec pro \| Family Plan (1 Year) | $29.99 | per year |
| one sec pro \| Lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |
| one sec pro \| Family Lifetime | $149.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Saves time
- 👍 Helps reduce screen time
- 💡 Customizable interventions
- 👍 Effective at curbing habits
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy at times
- 💰 Premium features behind paywall
- 🔒 Concerns about privacy/data collection
- 🔒 Inability to fully disable the app
- 🐛 Inconsistent behavior across apps

**Reported bugs**

- App switching issues
- Interventions not triggering properly
- Inconsistent behavior with shortcuts
- Crashes and freezes on certain devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to block more apps for free
- Customizable intervention timers
- Scheduled app blocking/access
- Passcode protection for settings
- Sync settings across devices


### Barrier

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barrier-screen-time-for-focus/id6448244443)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*