Comparison

one sec | screen time + focus vs Screen Time Limit

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 Time Limit

This app helps you improve focus and manage screen time by blocking distracting apps and websites. It offers features for self-control and parental monitoring to create a more productive digital environment.

Highlights
  • App blocking
  • Website blocking
  • Focus mode
  • Study timer
  • Parental controls
  • Screen time tracking
Features
Read full description

"Focus Mode" is a revolutionary app specifically designed to improve your focus, manage your time efficiently, and control your screen time. As the ultimate app blocker, it empowers you to block apps and sites causing distraction, thereby transforming your phone screen into a focus keeper. Time management is the cornerstone of productivity, and "Focus Mode" understands it all too well. With time blocking capabilities, this app facilitates a disciplined regime where you decide your app time limit. Get rid of all the distractions, stay focused, and use the study timer to keep track of your progress. Worried about your child's screen time? This parental control app for iPhone comes with an innovative child lock app feature. Monitor your kids' phone usage, limit screen time, and ensure they remain focused on their studies. The parents' control feature, coupled with a child screen lock, makes "Focus Mode" a reliable kids lock app. "Focus Mode" is not just about blocking apps, but it also offers a robust website blocker, blocking any site that you deem unnecessary. Be it ads, inappropriate content, or social media, our site blocker got you covered. The app blocker free feature allows you to establish self-control over your digital life. The screen time control aids in fighting off procrastination, making you more productive. Track your screen time with the screen time tracker, set your app limit, and maintain a healthy balance between work and relaxation. Our app's social media blocker feature enables you to curb your digital consumption, providing you with offtime that you can utilize for other essential tasks. With "Focus Mode," you can beat the addiction to your phone screen and enhance your productivity. "Focus Mode" also includes a pornblocker app feature, which ensures a safe and controlled digital environment for all users. Stay in charge, avoid distractions, manage your time, and enjoy a focused life with "Focus Mode." Your path to self-control, productivity, and a distraction-free life starts here. Download "Focus Mode" today and take the first step towards a more focused and productive life. Privacy Policy: https://blakitech.com/privacy_policy_focus_mode_app Terms of Use: https://blakitech.com/terms_of_use_focus_mode_app

Screenshots

one sec | screen time + focus4 screens
Screen Time Limit4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: one sec | screen time + focus at 24K against Screen Time Limit's 43. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and review sentiment (76% vs 58%). 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 $2.99 per month and Screen Time Limit sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

one sec | screen time + focus holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: one sec | screen time + focus has 24K ratings behind it against 43, 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 58% of Screen Time Limit's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, Screen Time Limit fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
one sec | screen time + focus versus Screen Time Limit: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterone sec | screen time + focusScreen Time Limit
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings) — better4.5 (43 ratings)
Positive reviews75.9% of reviews — better58.3% of reviews
Number of ratings24K — better43
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size368 MB83 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.Salix Labs LLC

Customer experience

one sec | screen time + focus

All ratings23,574 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral1.5%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews1,609 reviews
Positive75.9%
Neutral9.4%
Negative14.7%

Screen Time Limit

All ratings43 ratings
Positive88.4%
Neutral2.3%
Negative9.3%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive58.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative41.7%

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 Time Limit

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
6 purchases

Screen Time Limit

Subscriptions6
  • Parental Control Monthly$5.991 Month
  • Monthly Premium7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Parental Yearly Premium$14.991 Year
Show 3 more
  • 50% Discount$14.991 Year
  • 20% Discount$19.991 Year
  • Premium Yearly$24.991 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 Time Limit free?
Screen Time Limit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, one sec | screen time + focus or Screen Time Limit?
one sec | screen time + focus is rated higher. one sec | screen time + focus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Screen Time Limit averages 4.5 from 43 ratings.
Do one sec | screen time + focus or Screen Time Limit have ads?
Neither one sec | screen time + focus nor Screen Time Limit shows ads.
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or Screen Time Limit?
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, and Screen Time Limit fortnightly. Most recently, one sec | screen time + focus was updated on September 25, 2026 and Screen Time Limit on August 1, 2026.

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