Comparison

one sec | screen time + focus vs StepBloc

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

StepBloc

This app helps you reduce screen time by requiring physical activity to unlock distracting apps. Earn your app access by completing workouts like push-ups, squats, or reaching step goals. Take control of your digital habits and improve your health simultaneously.

Highlights
  • Earn app access through push-ups, squats, or steps
  • Block distracting apps until goals are met
  • App blocking scheduler
  • Set daily usage limits
  • Track focus minutes
  • Digital habit insights and reports
  • HealthKit integration for step tracking
Features
Read full description

StepBloc lets you earn your screen time by doing Push-ups, Squats and other workouts. For example, you need to do 10 push-ups to use instagram for 10 mins. Just follow 3 simple steps: +Choose the distracting apps. +Set your goal (Push-ups, Squats, or Steps). +Move! Apps stay blocked until your goal is hit. Why should you download StepBloc? + Control how much time you spend on distracting apps. + Reduce your screen time. + Stay healthy by staying active. + Reclaim your focus. Key Features: + Steps to unblock: Distracted apps are blocked unless you completed required number of steps. + Push-Ups to unblock: Distracted apps are blocked unless you completed required number of Push-Ups. + Squats to unblock: Distracted apps are blocked unless you completed required number of Squats. + App Blocking Scheduler: Set specific times to block distracting apps, ensuring uninterrupted focus during work, study, or leisure time. + Usage Limits: Define daily usage limits for your distracted apps. + Focus Tracker: Measure your daily focus minutes and block distracting apps until you complete your focus minute target. + Insights: Gain valuable insights into your digital habits with detailed analytics and reports. + Secure and Private: Rest assured that your data is safe with StepBloc. All of your data stays in the device. Take control of your digital distractions, reclaim your focus, and unlock your full potential with StepBloc. Download now and experience the transformative power of mindful device management! The Monthly Pass Subscribe to monthly pass to get unlimited access to blocks. - Your payment will be charged to your iTunes Account as soon as you confirm your purchase. - Your subscription will renew automatically unless you turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - When you cancel a subscription, your subscription will stay active until the end of the period. - While cancelling, Auto-renewal will be disabled, but the current subscription will not be refunded By using the app, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use: Terms: https://hamsters.tech/stepbloc-t-c Privacy: https://hamsters.tech/stepbloc-privacy-policy HealthKit Integration: StepBloc accesses your step count data from HealthKit to incentivize healthy habits. By linking your daily step count with app usage, StepBloc rewards you with app access based on your physical activity level. This integration encourages movement and ensures that you strike a balance between screen time and physical wellness. Note: HealthKit data is used only if user decides to use Step Block as the blocking method in app.

Screenshots

one sec | screen time + focus4 screens
StepBloc4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: one sec | screen time + focus at 4.8 against StepBloc's 4.5. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on ratings volume (24K vs 485) and review sentiment (76% vs 64%). 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 StepBloc sells 3 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 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: one sec | screen time + focus has 24K ratings behind it against 485, 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 64% of StepBloc's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, StepBloc weekly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
one sec | screen time + focus versus StepBloc: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterone sec | screen time + focusStepBloc
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings) — better4.5 (485 ratings)
Positive reviews75.9% of reviews — better63.9% of reviews
Number of ratings24K — better485
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size368 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.Hamsters Technology

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%

StepBloc

All ratings485 ratings
Positive87.4%
Neutral5.4%
Negative7.2%
Written reviews61 reviews
Positive63.9%
Neutral8.2%
Negative27.9%

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

StepBloc

From 485 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Blocks apps very well
  • 👍 Free to use
  • 👍 Innovative concept
  • 👍 Effective screen time reduction
  • 👍 Motivates exercise

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Push-up/squat tracking issues
  • 🐛 Daily limits in free version
  • 🐛 Limited free features
  • 🐛 Unintuitive timer
  • 🐛 Lacking features

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)

StepBloc

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Push-up counter can be cheated
  • Squat counter can be cheated
  • App keeps blocks after deletion
  • Push-up system is faulty
  • Squats not registered correctly
Show 7 more
  • Screen time rate incorrect
  • Analytics tab blank
  • Freezes phone
  • Push-up tracking measures face distance
  • App still blocks after exercise
  • Screen time shown is incorrect
  • Lifetime unlock price high

Requested features

14 requests
  • Accumulate screen time
  • Start day with screen time
  • Reset banked steps daily
  • Widget for progress tracking
  • Macbook app
Show 9 more
  • Nose detection mode
  • More exercise options (sit-ups, pull-ups)
  • Edit workouts for specific days
  • Bank minutes/time
  • Face-on push-up tracking
  • Camera tracking for exercises
  • Set multiple rules for exercise/time
  • See time left until next exercise
  • More free features

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
3 purchases

StepBloc

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pass$3.991 Month
  • Premium Pass7 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$29.99

Questions

Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
one sec | screen time + focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is StepBloc free?
StepBloc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, one sec | screen time + focus or StepBloc?
one sec | screen time + focus is rated higher. one sec | screen time + focus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while StepBloc averages 4.5 from 485 ratings.
Do one sec | screen time + focus or StepBloc have ads?
Neither one sec | screen time + focus nor StepBloc shows ads.
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or StepBloc?
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, and StepBloc weekly. Most recently, one sec | screen time + focus was updated on September 24, 2026 and StepBloc on September 24, 2026.

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