Comparison

one sec | screen time + focus vs Blok

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

Blok

This app works with a physical device to help you block distracting apps and websites. It allows you to select which apps to block, tap a device to activate focus mode, and set custom schedules for different activities. Reclaim your time and boost productivity by minimizing digital distractions.

Highlights
  • Customizable app blocking
  • Tap-to-block technology
  • Focus modes for schedules
  • Secure and private data storage
  • Reclaim time and boost productivity
Features
Read full description

Blok helps you reduce screen time by making distractions harder to access. HOW IT WORKS ↓ 1. Choose the apps and websites you want to block 2. Start a Blok session by scanning a product barcode or Blok Card 3. To unBlok, complete the physical action again WHY BLOK WORKS ↓ Most app blockers are too easy to bypass. Blok adds friction at the exact moment you are most likely to scroll again. Instead of relying on willpower alone, Blok turns blocking and unblocking into a physical ritual. Tap your Blok Card or scan your registered barcode to Blok distracting apps and websites. When you want back in, you need the same physical action again. With Blok, you can: - Block distracting apps, websites, and categories - Use a product barcode or Blok Card as your physical key - Create focus modes for work, sleep, study, or personal time - Schedule automatic Blok sessions - Take limited breaks without fully giving up - Combine modes for stricter blocking - Track your Blok streak and time Blok'd - Add friends and compare progress in Blok World - See Blok'd status on your Lock Screen with Live Activities Blok is built for people who want a real-world way to reduce doomscrolling, social media overuse, and phone addiction. Privacy Policy: https://shop.blok.so/pages/privacy-policy Terms: https://shop.blok.so/pages/terms-and-conditions

Screenshots

one sec | screen time + focus4 screens
Blok4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: one sec | screen time + focus at 76% against Blok's 54%. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on ratings volume (24K vs 733) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). 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 Blok sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 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 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: one sec | screen time + focus has 24K ratings behind it against 733, 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 54% of Blok's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, Blok every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
one sec | screen time + focus versus Blok: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterone sec | screen time + focusBlok
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings) — better4.6 (733 ratings)
Positive reviews75.9% of reviews — better53.5% of reviews
Number of ratings24K — better733
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 9 days — better
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 MB115 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.Just Commit Inc.

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%

Blok

All ratings733 ratings
Positive89.6%
Neutral3.1%
Negative7.2%
Written reviews71 reviews
Positive53.5%
Neutral7.0%
Negative39.4%

User reviews

one sec | screen time + focus

From 24K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

Blok

From 733 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Life-changing
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 🔒 Helps with discipline and focus
  • 💡 Clever physical barrier concept
  • 👍 Great customer support

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy, unreliable, and inconsistent
  • 🔒 Paywall for basic features
  • 🔒 Subscription required
  • 🐛 Scanning and detection issues
  • 🐛 Scheduling problems

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)

Blok

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashing and freezing
  • Inconsistent blocking and unblocking of apps
  • Issues with card/magnet detection and functionality
  • Problems with account management and subscription

Requested features

3 requests
  • Allow multiple schedules per day
  • Improve app categorization and blocking
  • Add more customization options

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
11 purchases

Blok

Subscriptions9
  • Blok Pro (Monthly)2 variants$9.991 Month
  • Blok Pro (Monthly)7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Blok Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
Show 6 more
  • Blok Pro (Yearly)$29.991 Year
  • Blok Membership3 Months trial$34.991 Year
  • Blok Pro (Yearly)$39.991 Year
  • Blok Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Blok Membership1 Year trial$59.991 Year
  • Blok Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time2
  • Single Emergency Unblok$4.99
  • Three Emergency Unbloks$12.99

Questions

Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
one sec | screen time + focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Blok free?
Blok is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, one sec | screen time + focus or Blok?
one sec | screen time + focus is rated higher. one sec | screen time + focus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Blok averages 4.6 from 733 ratings.
Do one sec | screen time + focus or Blok have ads?
Neither one sec | screen time + focus nor Blok shows ads.
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or Blok?
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, and Blok every 9 days. Most recently, one sec | screen time + focus was updated on September 24, 2026 and Blok on September 18, 2026.

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