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.
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.
- 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
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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/
Screen Time Control
This app helps you master your screen time and boost productivity by tracking usage, blocking distracting apps, and setting custom goals. It offers personalized insights and challenges to encourage healthier digital habits and a better online-offline balance.
- Smart screen time tracking
- App blocking for focus sessions
- Customizable time limits
- App impact scoring
- Friendly competition and challenges
- Detailed usage analytics
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LimitUp: Take Control of Your Digital Life Are you ready to master your screen time and boost your productivity? LimitUp is your personal digital wellness coach, helping you understand and optimize your app usage for a healthier, more balanced life. Key Features: Smart Screen Time Tracking • Get a clear picture of your daily, weekly, and monthly app usage • Visualize your habits with intuitive charts and graphs • Receive personalized insights to improve your digital diet Friendly Competition • Challenge friends and family to reduce screen time together • Compete in group challenges for extra motivation • Share your progress and celebrate victories Powerful App Blocking • Create custom "focus sessions" to block distracting apps • Set daily time limits for specific applications • Use different blocking modes: Quick Block, Blocking Session, App Limit, and App Lock App Impact Scoring • Rate how distracting or productive each app is for you • Get suggestions on which apps to use less or more • Understand the impact of your app usage on your overall wellbeing Customizable Goals • Set personalized screen time targets • Create morning and evening routines to bookend your day • Develop better digital habits with guided challenges Detailed Analytics • Track your progress over time with in-depth reports • Identify patterns and trends in your app usage • Use data-driven insights to make positive changes LimitUp is designed to help you regain control over your digital life, increase productivity, and find a better balance between your online and offline worlds. Whether you're looking to cut down on social media, focus more on work, or simply be more mindful of your screen time, LimitUp has the tools you need to succeed. Download LimitUp today and start your journey towards a healthier relationship with technology! Terms of services: https://www.limitup.online/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.limitup.online/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: one sec | screen time + focus at 4.8 against Screen Time Control's 3.9. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (24K vs 7). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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
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 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
one sec | screen time + focus holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: one sec | screen time + focus has 24K ratings behind it against 7, 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 80% of Screen Time Control's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, Screen Time Control every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and June 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | one sec | screen time + focus | Screen Time Control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (24K ratings) — better | 3.9 (7 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 75.9% of reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 24K — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 368 MB | 47 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | riedel.wtf apps S.L. | Perpetio OU |
Customer experience
one sec | screen time + focus
Screen Time Control
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
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- More intervention types (e.g. games)
Screen Time Control
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
one sec | screen time + focus
- 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
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- one sec pro | Family Plan (1 Year)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- one sec pro | Lifetime$99.99
- one sec pro | Family Lifetime$149.00
Screen Time Control
- Weekly Subscription7 Days trial$0.997 Days
- Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$49.991 Year
Questions
Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
Is Screen Time Control free?
Which has better reviews, one sec | screen time + focus or Screen Time Control?
Do one sec | screen time + focus or Screen Time Control have ads?
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or Screen Time Control?
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