Comparison

one sec | screen time + focus vs DeepWork.io

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

DeepWork.io

This tool helps you get work done by blocking distractions and using a focus timer. Track your progress and set goals to improve productivity and reduce interruptions. Optimized for iPad, it offers a privacy-first experience with no ads or tracking.

Highlights
  • Focus timer for set work sessions
  • Distraction blocking to minimize interruptions
  • Activity tracking for productive time
  • Progress visualization with a grid
  • Background audio for enhanced focus
  • Goal setting for daily, weekly, or monthly targets
Features
Read full description

DeepWork.io is a focus timer and distraction blocker built to help you actually get work done. Struggling to stay focused? Start a DeepWork session, block distractions on your phone, and make real progress on the tasks that matter. Whether you're studying, writing, coding, or creating, DeepWork helps you stay focused and finish what you start. Key Features: Focus Timer – Start 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, or 45-minute deep work sessions Distraction Blocking – Reduce interruptions and stay locked in Activity Tracking – Track your focus sessions and productive time Progress Visualization – See your consistency with a GitHub-style grid Background Audio – Lo-fi music and white noise for better focus Smart Notifications – Gentle alerts to keep your workflow on track Goal Setting – Set daily, weekly, or monthly focus goals iPad Optimized – Designed for larger screens and work setups Perfect for: • Students studying for exams or working on assignments • Creators, writers, and developers building projects • Professionals who need deep focus time • Anyone looking to improve productivity and reduce distractions Privacy First Your data stays on your device. No ads. No tracking. No distractions. Start a focus session and get something done today. Privacy Policy: https://deep-work.io/privacy Terms of Use: https://deep-work.io/terms

Screenshots

one sec | screen time + focus4 screens
DeepWork.io4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: one sec | screen time + focus at 24K against DeepWork.io's 6. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on device support (4 vs 2). DeepWork.io'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 DeepWork.io sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DeepWork.io 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 6, 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 DeepWork.io's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, DeepWork.io fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
one sec | screen time + focus versus DeepWork.io: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterone sec | screen time + focusDeepWork.io
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings)5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24K — better6
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size367 MB128 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.Raman Mama

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%

DeepWork.io

All ratings6 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)

DeepWork.io

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
4 purchases

DeepWork.io

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly Subscription$2.991 Month
  • Premium Annual Subscription$24.991 Year
One-time2
  • Premium Subscription$39.99
  • Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
one sec | screen time + focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DeepWork.io free?
DeepWork.io is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, one sec | screen time + focus or DeepWork.io?
DeepWork.io is rated higher. one sec | screen time + focus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while DeepWork.io averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.
Do one sec | screen time + focus or DeepWork.io have ads?
Neither one sec | screen time + focus nor DeepWork.io shows ads.
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or DeepWork.io?
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, and DeepWork.io fortnightly. Most recently, one sec | screen time + focus was updated on October 15, 2026 and DeepWork.io on October 7, 2026.

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