Comparison

one sec | screen time + focus vs Screen Time Control

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 Control

Regain control of your productivity by restricting access to distracting apps. Set daily limits, schedules, and receive reminders to stay focused and reduce impulse usage. Improve your attention and build healthier mobile habits.

Highlights
  • Restrict access to selected apps
  • Block apps during focus sessions
  • Set daily app time limits
  • Schedule app blocking times
  • Receive time limit reminders
  • Reduce distractions and multitasking
Read full description

Features • Select the apps you want to restrict access to and regain control of your productivity. • Block apps while focused, and you can always take a break to temporarily unblock them. • Set app limits, block when a daily limits is reached (ex. 30 minutes). • Get timely reminder notifications when reach a time limits. • Set schedules for when to block apps (ex. every weekday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). • Helps you control impulse clicks, reduce social media opens. • Work better by reducing distractions and multitasking. • Be more mindful of how you invest your time and attention. • Reduce the use of mobile phone and maintain good health habits. • Get a better night's sleep without getting lost in the scroll. Most of the app's content is free. Some selected features require the purchase of a full version in the app. These prices are in U.S. dollars (USD) and pricing may vary in other currencies and countries. Actual fees may be converted to your local currency, depending on your country of residence. Tips App Lock use Apple's Screen Time API in order to block apps. App Lock can't access and will never see your private data (apps used, what you've viewed, etc). Works entirely on your phone and personal browsing data never leaves your device.

Screenshots

one sec | screen time + focus4 screens
Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: one sec | screen time + focus at 76% against Screen Time Control's 50%. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly) and device support (4 vs 1). 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 Screen Time Control sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, Screen Time Control monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and August 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
one sec | screen time + focus versus Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterone sec | screen time + focusScreen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.9% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings24K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size368 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.Deebex Tech Ltd.

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 Control

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

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)

Screen Time Control

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
1 purchases

Screen Time Control

One-time1
  • Upgrade to Pro$19.99

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 Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do one sec | screen time + focus or Screen Time Control have ads?
Neither one sec | screen time + focus nor Screen Time Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or Screen Time Control?
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, and Screen Time Control monthly. Most recently, one sec | screen time + focus was updated on September 24, 2026 and Screen Time Control on August 27, 2026.

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