Comparison

one sec | screen time + focus vs PPScreen

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

PPScreen

This app helps you manage your digital well-being by tracking screen time, blocking distracting apps, and encouraging healthy habits through challenges. It integrates with Apple HealthKit for step tracking and offers a customizable dashboard for insights into your usage patterns.

Highlights
  • Screen time insights and tracking
  • Focus mode to block distracting apps
  • Healthy habit challenges (e.g., Step Challenge)
  • Customizable dashboard
  • Apple HealthKit integration for step tracking
  • Digital wellness coaching
Features
Read full description

[Features] Screen Time Insights Track daily screen usage, phone pickups, longest continuous usage, time-checking habits, most-used apps, and apps sending the most notifications (customizable dashboard). Focus Mode Block distracting apps during set hours to stay productive. Healthy Challenges Step Challenge: Walk 7,000 steps to unlock TikTok access. Shopping Detox: Avoid shopping apps for 21 days and build mindful habits. More features coming soon! Healthy Screen is your personal digital wellness coach. Designed to help you and your family achieve a balanced digital lifestyle through smart screen time management. Start your journey to a healthier, happier relationship with technology today. [HealthKit Integration] To enable the Step Challenge, we’ll access your motion data (step count) from Apple HealthKit. This data is used solely to track progress toward your daily step goal and will never be shared with third parties. [Subscription Details] Auto-Renewal: Your Apple ID will be charged upon purchase confirmation. Subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled 24 hours before the current period ends. Renewal charges are billed 24 hours before the period ends. Free Trial: If you purchase a subscription during a free trial, any unused trial time will be forfeited. Cancel Anytime: Open the Settings app → Tap your Apple ID → Subscriptions → Select and cancel. User Agreement:https://ppfactory.github.io/2023/08/14/PPScreenUserAgreement/ Privacy Policy:https://ppfactory.github.io/2023/09/06/PPScreenPrivacyPolicy1-0/ Auto-Renewal Membership Service Agreement:https://ppfactory.github.io/2023/03/31/autorenewagreement/ If you have any further questions regarding this service, please don't hesitate to contact us at: Email: ppfactory003@gmail.com

Screenshots

one sec | screen time + focus4 screens
PPScreen4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: one sec | screen time + focus at 4.8 against PPScreen's 4.3. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on ratings volume (24K vs 6) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 weeks). PPScreen's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 76%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 PPScreen sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. 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 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: one sec | screen time + focus has 24K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 76% of one sec | screen time + focus's written reviews are positive against 100% of PPScreen's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, PPScreen every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
one sec | screen time + focus versus PPScreen: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterone sec | screen time + focusPPScreen
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings) — better4.3 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews75.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24K — better6
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size368 MB99 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.Chengdu ppTribe Technology Co., Ltd.

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%

PPScreen

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews1 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)

PPScreen

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

PPScreen

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • 1 month3 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • 12 months3 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • unlock card$0.99
  • Lifetime$79.99

Questions

Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
one sec | screen time + focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PPScreen free?
PPScreen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, one sec | screen time + focus or PPScreen?
one sec | screen time + focus is rated higher. one sec | screen time + focus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while PPScreen averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do one sec | screen time + focus or PPScreen have ads?
Neither one sec | screen time + focus nor PPScreen shows ads.
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or PPScreen?
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, and PPScreen every 3 weeks. Most recently, one sec | screen time + focus was updated on September 25, 2026 and PPScreen on August 6, 2026.

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