Comparison

one sec | screen time + focus vs Reduce Scrolling

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

Reduce Scrolling

This app helps you regain control over your phone usage by introducing gentle "speed bumps" to encourage mindful app engagement. It offers customizable settings for different applications and schedules to help you reduce distractions and build better digital habits.

Highlights
  • Per-app control with customizable settings
  • Live Activity timer for remaining time
  • Recharge Time delays to prevent compulsive reopening
  • Smart Schedules for automatic app blocking
  • Streak tracking for habit momentum
  • 7-day free trial
Features
Read full description

We get it. You don't want to completely ditch your phone, you just want to stop feeling like it controls you. Maybe you've noticed yourself opening Instagram without even thinking about it. Or you meant to check one thing and suddenly 30 minutes disappeared. Or you feel that little twinge of guilt when you realize you've been scrolling instead of doing... literally anything else. You're not broken. Your phone is just really, really good at grabbing your attention. **WHY BLOCKWISE IS DIFFERENT** We're not here to shame you or lock you out of your apps like you can't be trusted. We built Blockwise because we had the same problem, and we realized that aggressive blocking doesn't actually help you build better habits. It just makes you feel restricted. Instead, Blockwise works with you to create little speed bumps that help you pause and think before you dive into an app. Small changes that actually stick. **WHAT YOU GET** - Per-App Control - Different settings for different apps based on how distracting they are - Live Activity timer - See exaclty how much time you have left while using a distracting app - Recharge Time delays - Prevent compulsive app reopening with customizable wait times - Smart Schedules - Automatic make distracting apps inaccessible during work, sleep, or family time - Streak Tracking - Build momentum with daily success streaks **WHY PEOPLE LOVE BLOCKWISE** "I use it for my ADHD and tendency to doom scroll and lose complete track of time. It's made a HUGE impact for me. 100% recommend!" "My screen time dropped from 8-9 hours, to TWO. I haven't been able to find anything else like it." "This app is fairly new but I'm loving it already. It helps me to cut back on doom scrolling and improve my social media health. Give it a chance!" **THE HONEST TRUTH** Blockwise won't magically fix everything overnight. Building new habits takes time. But if you're tired of feeling like your phone is in charge, this is a really good place to start. And here's the thing: even though finding your perfect routine takes a bit of experimentation, most people start seeing real reductions in their screen time right after setting up their first block. The results can be surprisingly quick. You'll probably slip up sometimes. That's totally normal. The difference is, with Blockwise, you'll have tools that actually help you get back on track instead of just feeling bad about it. **LESS SCROLLING, MORE LIVING** Whether you want to focus better at work, be more present with friends and family, sleep better, or just stop feeling guilty about your screen time, Blockwise can help. Your phone can be a useful tool instead of a time thief. We'll help you get there. **TRY IT FREE FOR 30 DAYS** See if Blockwise clicks for you. If it does, awesome. If not, no hard feelings. **YOUR DATA IS YOURS** We use Apple's Screen Time APIs, which means your data stays on your device. We don't see what you're doing on your phone, and we don't sell your information. **QUESTIONS? WE ANSWER THEM ALL** Seriously, reach out anytime at blockwise.app@gmail.com. We actually read and respond to messages. Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://joinblockr.xyz/privacy/

Screenshots

one sec | screen time + focus4 screens
Reduce Scrolling4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: one sec | screen time + focus at 24K against Reduce Scrolling's 4. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on device support (4 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). Reduce Scrolling's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 76%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). 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 $6.99 per month and Reduce Scrolling sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Reduce Scrolling holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: one sec | screen time + focus has 24K ratings behind it against 4, 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 100% of Reduce Scrolling's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, Reduce Scrolling every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
one sec | screen time + focus versus Reduce Scrolling: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterone sec | screen time + focusReduce Scrolling
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24K — better4
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size367 MB80 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.Ko LiChung

Customer experience

one sec | screen time + focus

All ratings23,626 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral1.5%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews1,619 reviews
Positive75.8%
Neutral9.5%
Negative14.8%

Reduce Scrolling

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 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)

Reduce Scrolling

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)$6.991 Month
  • one sec pro | Family Plan (1 Month)7 Days trial$9.991 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
9 purchases

Reduce Scrolling

Subscriptions9
  • Unlimited access2 variants$9.991 Year
  • Unlimited3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Unlimited Access$19.991 Year
Show 6 more
  • Unlimited access$22.991 Year
  • Unlimited Access$29.991 Year
  • Unlimited Access3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Unlimited access$39.991 Year
  • Unlimited Access7 Days trial$44.991 Year
  • Unlimited Access7 Days trial$89.991 Year

Questions

Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
one sec | screen time + focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Reduce Scrolling free?
Reduce Scrolling is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, one sec | screen time + focus or Reduce Scrolling?
Reduce Scrolling is rated higher. one sec | screen time + focus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Reduce Scrolling averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do one sec | screen time + focus or Reduce Scrolling have ads?
Neither one sec | screen time + focus nor Reduce Scrolling shows ads.
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or Reduce Scrolling?
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, and Reduce Scrolling every 3 weeks. Most recently, one sec | screen time + focus was updated on October 14, 2026 and Reduce Scrolling on October 9, 2026.

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