Comparison

one sec | screen time + focus vs Emberglow

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

Stop opening social media on autopilot. one sec adds a short pause before distracting apps so you can choose what deserves your attention. 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 is 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

Emberglow

This app transforms screen breaks into an RPG adventure. Lock your phone to send your hero on quests, and return to discover unfolding stories and rewards. It encourages reducing screen time and reconnecting with real life.

Highlights
  • Digital detox RPG
  • Progress happens offline
  • Mindful design, no ads
  • Branching storylines
  • Co-op quests
  • Reflection journal
  • Screen time control
Read full description

Put down your phone and watch your hero rise. Emberglow turns screen breaks into epic adventures. Lock your phone, send your hero on a quest, and return to discover the unfolding story of Vaedros. The less you use your phone, the more present you become in your own life, and the more your hero grows. Reduce screen time, break phone addiction, and enjoy real life with a digital detox RPG. THE ONLY GAME THAT REWARDS YOU FOR NOT PLAYING IT Your hero’s journey unfolds only when you’re off-screen. Lock your phone and step away. Your character continues their path through the hand-painted realm of Vaedros. When you return, you’ll find new story chapters, choices, and rewards. In this way it’s not punishment for using your phone. Instead, it’s a calm invitation to reduce screen time and reconnect with real life. A DIFFERENT KIND OF FOCUS GAME While other screen time apps track minutes, emberglow rewards stillness. Each quest becomes a mindful ritual where you get a moment to pause, breathe, and regain digital wellbeing. Perfect for study sessions, procrastination problems, creative breaks, or whenever you need to manage screen time without pressure. A QUEST FOR MENTAL CLARITY & DIGITAL WELLBEING Explore atmospheric tales that mirror your inner balance. Choose how your story unfolds and reflect on your progress. These moments of stillness become powerful tools for self-care, focus, and calm. And this makes emberglow ideal for players seeking therapeutic games or calm games for anxiety and phone addiction. EMBERGLOW GAME FEATURES: · Digital detox RPG: progress only happens while offline · Mindful design: no ads, no distractions, only reflection · Branching storylines: every quest and choice shapes your journey · Co-op quests: take a screen break together with a friend · Reflection journal: optional post-quest journaling for mental clarity · Screen time control: gently limit use without guilt or judgment · Narrated chapters: immersive storytelling and guided calm · Dopamine detox loop: the longer you stay off, the stronger you grow WHY EMBERGLOW If you’ve ever felt trapped in: • Doomscrolling that drains your focus • Phone addiction that steals your time • Screen fatigue that clouds your mind In short: emberglow offers a better path to digital detox. Here it’s not about restriction, it’s about reconnection. Play emberglow if you want to: ► Build lasting focus and productivity for work ► Restore your digital wellbeing ► Find calm, balance, and space to breathe Go offline, not astray.
Discover your calm, restore your focus, and let your story unfold in the only screen break game that rewards peace, not punishment. Play emberglow for FREE. Terms of Service: https://www.emberglowapp.com/terms

Screenshots

one sec | screen time + focus4 screens
Emberglow4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: one sec | screen time + focus at 76% against Emberglow's 0%. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (24K vs 4). 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 Emberglow 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 4.0. 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 0% of Emberglow's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
one sec | screen time + focus versus Emberglow: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterone sec | screen time + focusEmberglow
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings) — better4.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews75.8% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings24K — better4
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size349 MB84 MB
Age rating4+12+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.Vaedros Software

Customer experience

one sec | screen time + focus

All ratings23,733 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral1.5%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews1,632 reviews
Positive75.8%
Neutral9.4%
Negative14.8%

Emberglow

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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)

Emberglow

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
3 purchases

Emberglow

Subscriptions2
  • unQuest Circle Monthly$3.991 Month
  • unQuest Circle Annual$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • unQuest Circle Lifetime Access$79.99

Questions

Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
one sec | screen time + focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Emberglow free?
Emberglow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, one sec | screen time + focus or Emberglow?
one sec | screen time + focus is rated higher. one sec | screen time + focus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Emberglow averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.
Do one sec | screen time + focus or Emberglow have ads?
Neither one sec | screen time + focus nor Emberglow shows ads.
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or Emberglow?
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, and Emberglow every 2 weeks. Most recently, one sec | screen time + focus was updated on November 1, 2026 and Emberglow on October 17, 2026.

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