Comparison

one sec | screen time + focus vs Lock In

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

Lock In

This app helps you focus by blocking distracting applications during timed work sessions. Set durations, choose apps to block, and track your productive time and streaks. Ideal for building better digital habits and reducing screen time.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps
  • Set custom focus timers
  • Track productive hours
  • Visualize progress and streaks
  • Build better digital habits
Features
Read full description

Lock In helps you stay focused and productive by blocking distracting apps during timed work sessions. Set your focus duration, select apps to block, and commit to distraction-free deep work. Track your progress with detailed statistics and visualizations that show your productive hours, longest streaks, and consistency over time. Perfect for students, professionals, and anyone looking to build better digital habits and reclaim their time from endless scrolling.

Screenshots

one sec | screen time + focus4 screens
Lock In4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: one sec | screen time + focus at none against Lock In's shown. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on ratings volume (24K vs 7) and device support (4 vs 2). Lock In's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 2 weeks) and review sentiment (100% vs 76%). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 Lock In sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lock In 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 7, 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 Lock In's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, Lock In daily. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
one sec | screen time + focus versus Lock In: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterone sec | screen time + focusLock In
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings)5.0 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24K — better7
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksDaily — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size349 MB29 MB
Age rating4+12+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.Eli Young

Customer experience

one sec | screen time + focus

All ratings23,733 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral1.5%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews1,627 reviews
Positive75.8%
Neutral9.4%
Negative14.8%

Lock In

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 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)

Lock In

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
1 purchases

Lock In

One-time1
  • Lock In Premium (No Ads)$4.99

Questions

Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
one sec | screen time + focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lock In free?
Lock In is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, one sec | screen time + focus or Lock In?
Lock In is rated higher. one sec | screen time + focus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Lock In averages 5.0 from 7 ratings.
Do one sec | screen time + focus or Lock In have ads?
Lock In shows ads; one sec | screen time + focus does not.
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or Lock In?
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, and Lock In daily. Most recently, one sec | screen time + focus was updated on October 24, 2026 and Lock In on October 14, 2026.

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