Comparison

one sec | screen time + focus vs Impulse

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

Impulse

This app helps you block distracting applications and websites to improve focus and productivity. It offers customizable blocking levels and group features for shared accountability.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps and websites
  • Set daily usage limits
  • Three strictness levels: Easy, Medium, Hard
  • Create custom focus profiles
  • Group blocking for shared accountability
  • Works across iPhone and Chrome extension
Features
Read full description

Block distractions. Stay focused. Do it together. Impulse blocks the apps and websites that waste your time — so you can focus on what actually matters. Whether you need to study, work, or just stop scrolling, Impulse gives you real control over your screen time. BLOCK APPS & WEBSITES Choose the apps and sites that distract you. Block them during specific time slots or set daily usage limits. Pick your strictness level: Easy (unlock anytime), Medium (with friction), or Hard (no way out until time's up). THREE LEVELS OF STRICTNESS Easy: Unlock whenever you want. Medium: Added friction to make you think twice. Hard: Locked until time's up. No exceptions. FOCUS MODE — NEW Sometimes you just need to lock in. Create focus profiles — pick your apps, set a default timer, choose your difficulty — and activate them with a single tap whenever you need to concentrate. 15, 25, 45, or 60 minutes. Or go unlimited. Your focus, your rules. GROUPS — NEW Better habits are easier together. Create a group, configure shared blocks, and invite friends or family with a simple code. Everyone gets the same rules applied to their phone. See who's keeping their streak alive and who needs a nudge. Perfect for study groups, digital detox challenges, or families who want less screen time together. WORKS ACROSS DEVICES Impulse is available on iPhone and as a Chrome extension. Block distractions on your phone and your browser. PRIVATE & SECURE No account required. No tracking. Your data stays on your device. Download Impulse and take back your time.

Screenshots

one sec | screen time + focus4 screens
Impulse4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: one sec | screen time + focus at 4.8 against Impulse's 3.0. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on ratings volume (24K vs 1) and review sentiment (76% vs 67%). Impulse's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6). On price, update cadence and ads 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. Impulse asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

one sec | screen time + focus holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: one sec | screen time + focus has 24K ratings behind it against 1, 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 67% of Impulse's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, Impulse fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
one sec | screen time + focus versus Impulse: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterone sec | screen time + focusImpulse
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings) — better3.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews75.9% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings24K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size368 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.Pablo Granados

Customer experience

one sec | screen time + focus

All ratings23,574 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral1.5%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews1,610 reviews
Positive75.9%
Neutral9.4%
Negative14.7%

Impulse

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

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)

Impulse

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
None

Impulse

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
one sec | screen time + focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Impulse free?
Impulse is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, one sec | screen time + focus or Impulse?
one sec | screen time + focus is rated higher. one sec | screen time + focus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Impulse averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.
Do one sec | screen time + focus or Impulse have ads?
Neither one sec | screen time + focus nor Impulse shows ads.
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or Impulse?
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, and Impulse fortnightly. Most recently, one sec | screen time + focus was updated on September 26, 2026 and Impulse on September 10, 2026.

Other comparisons