Comparison

one sec | screen time + focus vs HoldON

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

HoldON

Features
Read full description

Your thumb opens the app before you've decided to. HoldOn catches that automatic reach and creates a moment to choose before the scroll starts. BREAK THE AUTOPILOT Choose the apps and websites that pull you in most. The next time you try to open one, HoldOn interrupts the automatic pattern and asks you to make the decision consciously. No hard lock. No guilt. Just a moment between impulse and action. HOLD TO WAKE HoldOn's signature intervention makes continuing an active choice. Press and hold for 8 seconds while HoldOn brings your attention back to the decision. Change your mind? Just let go. If you still want the app, finish the hold and continue intentionally. CHOOSE HOW MUCH TIME YOU ACTUALLY NEED If you decide to continue, choose a session from 1 to 10 minutes. When that time ends, HoldOn protects the app again. Need more time? You can choose again. The goal isn't to stop you from using your phone. It's to stop 10 intentional minutes from becoming 45 unconscious ones. OTHER WAYS TO PAUSE Different moments call for different interventions: • Hold to Wake — actively hold before continuing • Breathing — slow down with a guided breathing pause • Reflection — notice the urge before reacting • Intention Check — reconnect with why you're opening the app Choose the experience that works best for you. SEE YOUR PROGRESS HoldOn helps you see what happens when you interrupt autopilot: • Conscious decisions • Attempts interrupted • Time reclaimed • Current and longest streaks • Weekly progress Over time, the goal is simple: less automatic scrolling, more intentional use. YOU'RE ALWAYS IN CONTROL HoldOn creates friction without taking away your freedom. You always have a way to stop protection, change your settings, or consciously continue. Your attention is your life. Take it back. HoldOn is free to try. Premium unlocks the full intervention library and Insights. Privacy Policy: https://www.getholdon.com/privacy.html Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

one sec | screen time + focus4 screens
HoldON4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: one sec | screen time + focus at 4 against HoldON's 1. one sec | screen time + focus also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). 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 HoldON sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, HoldON every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
one sec | screen time + focus versus HoldON: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterone sec | screen time + focusHoldON
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings24K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size367 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.Ronald Radhames Santana Franco

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)

HoldON

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

HoldON

Subscriptions3
  • HoldON Premium$9.991 Month
  • Premium Annual — Win-Back$29.991 Year
  • HoldON Premium7 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
one sec | screen time + focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HoldON free?
HoldON is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do one sec | screen time + focus or HoldON have ads?
Neither one sec | screen time + focus nor HoldON shows ads.
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or HoldON?
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, and HoldON every 3 weeks. Most recently, one sec | screen time + focus was updated on October 4, 2026 and HoldON on September 22, 2026.

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