Comparison

one sec | screen time + focus vs Brainrot

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

Brainrot

This app helps you regain control of your digital life by blocking distracting apps and websites. Utilize a focus timer and smart schedules to improve productivity, sleep, and reduce screen time. A visual indicator provides a playful nudge to encourage mindful usage.

Highlights
  • App and website blocking
  • Focus timer
  • Smart scheduling
  • Mindful breaks
  • Usage insights
Features
Read full description

Reclaim your day with Brainrot, a playful screen time control, app blocker, and focus coach. Pick the apps and sites to block, set schedules, and watch your cute brain avatar decay as you doom scroll. The visual nudge helps you put the phone down. Save about 2 hours per day, feel less distracted, sleep better, and get more done. What you get: - Instant blocking for apps and websites - Focus timer for deep work and Pomodoro - Smart schedules for bedtime, mornings, and meetings - Mindful breaks so you reset without the guilt - Clear insights to spot Brainrot apps fast ### PRIVATE & SECURE Brainrot uses Apple’s Screen Time API; all monitoring and blocking run *entirely* on your device. Your browsing data never leaves your phone. *All features described above require a subscription.* Terms of Service: https://thebrainrotapp.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://thebrainrotapp.com/privacy

Screenshots

one sec | screen time + focus4 screens
Brainrot4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: one sec | screen time + focus at 76% against Brainrot's 18%. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on monetization model (freemium vs subscription) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On price, ratings volume, 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 $6.99 per month and Brainrot sells 15 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. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24K and 22K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of one sec | screen time + focus's written reviews are positive against 18% of Brainrot's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, Brainrot every 6 days. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
one sec | screen time + focus versus Brainrot: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterone sec | screen time + focusBrainrot
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings) — better4.5 (22K ratings)
Positive reviews75.8% of reviews — better17.6% of reviews
Number of ratings24K — better22K
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size367 MB126 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.Smolworks Inc

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%

Brainrot

All ratings22,334 ratings
Positive89.1%
Neutral2.8%
Negative8.1%
Written reviews2,042 reviews
Positive17.6%
Neutral6.6%
Negative75.8%

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

Brainrot

From 22K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Reduces screen time
  • 👍 Helpful for productivity
  • 🥰 Great app
  • 💯 Highly recommended

Room to improve

  • 💰 Requires paid subscription
  • 🙅‍♀️ No free version available
  • 😤 Forced to pay to use

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)

Brainrot

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Stuck on payment screen with no way out
  • Requires re-entering info every time

Requested features

2 requests
  • Free version with limited features
  • Free trial period

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
15 purchases

Brainrot

Subscriptions15
  • Unlimited (1 Month)$3.991 Month
  • Unlimited (1 Week)$3.997 Days
  • Unlimited (1 Week)$4.997 Days
Show 12 more
  • monthly$8.991 Month
  • Unlimited (1 Year)$9.991 Year
  • Unlimited (1 Year)3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Unlimited (1 Year)7 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Unlimited (1 Year)$19.991 Year
  • Brainrot (Full Access)$24.991 Year
  • Unlimited (1 Year)3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Unlimited (1 Year)$29.991 Year
  • Brainrot (Full Access)$29.991 Year
  • Unlimited (1 Year)3 Days trial$44.991 Year
  • Brainrot Annual3 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Unlimited$49.991 Year

Questions

Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
one sec | screen time + focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Brainrot free?
Brainrot is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, one sec | screen time + focus or Brainrot?
one sec | screen time + focus is rated higher. one sec | screen time + focus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Brainrot averages 4.5 from 22K ratings.
Do one sec | screen time + focus or Brainrot have ads?
Neither one sec | screen time + focus nor Brainrot shows ads.
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or Brainrot?
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, and Brainrot every 6 days. Most recently, one sec | screen time + focus was updated on October 15, 2026 and Brainrot on October 15, 2026.

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