Comparison

one sec | screen time + focus vs Turning

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

Turning

Manage your smartphone usage to boost focus and build better habits. This app helps you intentionally use only the apps you need, when you need them, with features like a 24-hour lock system and a deep focus mode for stricter control. Track your progress and gain insights to reduce screen time and improve productivity.

Highlights
  • 24-hour app lock system
  • Deep Focus Mode with per-app limits
  • Categorize helpful and distracting apps
  • Personalized usage statistics tracking
  • Digital buddy 'Turny' for mood feedback
  • Build healthy smartphone habits
Read full description

Phone-free time, protected. Turning locks distracting apps all day, and in Deep Focus Mode (subscription) the Deep Focus Timer keeps them shut until it ends. -- “Just 10 more minutes... Just one more video... I’ll start tomorrow, for real... Wait, what time is it?” “Turn your time around. Take back the hours you lose to scrolling — use only the apps you truly need, when you need them.” -- ■ A screen time management app with 400K+ downloads in 160+ countries ■ Highly recommended for students, exam takers, job seekers, freelancers, and anyone seeking productivity ■ Based on Turning user data, average daily screen time went from 6 hours before Turning to 2 hours 30 minutes after (individual results vary) ■ Research on Turning’s effectiveness, based on behavioral science data, is in progress with Yonsei University’s Applied Statistics Lab — ▶ Who is Turning for? - Those who can't stop watching Shorts or Reels before bed - Those who lose entire days to impulsive smartphone use - Those preparing for exams, competitions, or major events - Those experiencing poor focus or recurring digital fatigue - Those who want to be with family and friends instead of their phone - Those who’ve tried everything to break phone addiction — ▶ Turning helps you use apps intentionally, not habitually. ▶ Now featuring a reliable 24-hour lock system to control app usage with consistency. (1) Simply register your apps once. Our intuitive, straightforward system locks distractions for 24 hours. Through the “Apps” tab, register your Disturbing Apps and Useful Apps. The free plan includes 1 Disturbing App and 1 Useful App. To open a locked app, complete a mission and set how long you’ll use it — when the time is up, the app closes automatically. (2) Need stronger control? Subscribe to Deep Focus Mode. The Deep Focus Timer instantly locks all your Disturbing Apps until it ends — there's no way back in. Deep Focus Mode also blocks website URLs, sets per-app and total daily limits, closes the usual workarounds, asks for a few deep breaths before you reopen an app, adds more mission types, gives you an AI report on your usage, tracks phone use during sleep hours, and removes all ads. In Deep Focus Mode, you can register up to 49 apps. If the basic mode felt too lenient, upgrade for full control and digital discipline. (3) Meet your digital buddy Turny on the home screen. Turny’s mood changes based on your screen time patterns :) Use Disturbing Apps less, and Useful Apps more! (4) Track your personalized usage statistics See which apps you used today and how you've improved compared to yesterday. Build long-term healthy habits through daily insights and steady progress. — ▶ Have suggestions or feature requests? Contact us via in-app support or at cs@hustlers.co.kr — ▶ We built Turning to help you live better with your phone. Build healthier smartphone habits — start today with Turning. — ▶ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula ▶ Privacy Policy: https://assets.turning.kr/docs/privacy.html — ▶ Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account upon purchase confirmation. ▶ You can manage and cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. ▶ Your subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period.

Screenshots

one sec | screen time + focus4 screens
Turning4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: one sec | screen time + focus at 4.8 against Turning's 4.1. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on ratings volume (24K vs 35) and device support (4 vs 2). 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

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 Turning sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 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 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: one sec | screen time + focus has 24K ratings behind it against 35, 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 68% of Turning's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, Turning every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
one sec | screen time + focus versus Turning: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterone sec | screen time + focusTurning
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings) — better4.1 (35 ratings)
Positive reviews75.9% of reviews — better67.9% of reviews
Number of ratings24K — better35
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size368 MB103 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.HUSTLERS Corp

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%

Turning

All ratings35 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral11.4%
Negative17.1%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive67.9%
Neutral9.4%
Negative22.6%

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)

Turning

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
5 purchases

Turning

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly plan7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Monthly plan$7.991 Month
  • Yearly plan7 Days trial$34.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly plan7 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime plan$89.99

Questions

Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
one sec | screen time + focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Turning free?
Turning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, one sec | screen time + focus or Turning?
one sec | screen time + focus is rated higher. one sec | screen time + focus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Turning averages 4.1 from 35 ratings.
Do one sec | screen time + focus or Turning have ads?
Neither one sec | screen time + focus nor Turning shows ads.
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or Turning?
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, and Turning every 10 days. Most recently, one sec | screen time + focus was updated on September 24, 2026 and Turning on September 23, 2026.

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