one sec | screen time + focus vs AppLimit
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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/
AppLimit
This app enforces strict daily usage limits on selected applications or categories. Once a time limit is reached, access is blocked without any exceptions or extensions, helping users break habits and establish real boundaries.
- Set daily usage limits for apps/categories
- Blocks access automatically when time limit is reached
- No override, snooze, or grace periods
- Minimal setup and clean interface
- On-device only, no accounts or tracking
- Utilizes Apple Screen Time APIs for true hard stops
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AppLimit enforces app limits - without loopholes. Choose apps or categories and set a daily usage limit. When the limit is reached, access is blocked until the next reset. No “Ignore for 15 minutes.” No extensions. No exceptions. How it works: • Select the apps you want to limit • Set a daily time limit • AppLimit blocks access automatically when time is up AppLimit is intentionally opinionated. If you want reminders or flexible limits, this app is not for you. Why AppLimit? • True hard stops using Apple Screen Time APIs • No override buttons • No snooze or grace periods • Minimal setup, clean interface • On-device only - no accounts, no tracking Ideal for reducing social media overuse, breaking habits, and enforcing real boundaries. Set the limit. When time is up, it’s done. Legal and Regulatory In-app purchases and subscriptions are governed by Apple´s standard terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: one sec | screen time + focus at 76% against AppLimit's 33%. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on rating (4.8 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (24K vs 1). AppLimit's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, ads, 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
Both are free to download. one sec | screen time + focus sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and AppLimit sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
one sec | screen time + focus holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 1.0. 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 33% of AppLimit's.
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, AppLimit every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | one sec | screen time + focus | AppLimit |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (24K ratings) — better | 1.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 75.9% of reviews — better | 33.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 24K — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 368 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | riedel.wtf apps S.L. | Shervin Koushan |
Customer experience
one sec | screen time + focus
AppLimit
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
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- More intervention types (e.g. games)
AppLimit
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
one sec | screen time + focus
- 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
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- one sec pro | Family Plan (1 Year)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- one sec pro | Lifetime$99.99
- one sec pro | Family Lifetime$149.00
AppLimit
- AppLimit Pro$3.997 Days
- AppLimit Pro$99.991 Year
- Unblock one app or category$0.99
- Unblock all apps and categories$9.99
Questions
Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
Is AppLimit free?
Which has better reviews, one sec | screen time + focus or AppLimit?
Do one sec | screen time + focus or AppLimit have ads?
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or AppLimit?
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