Comparison

one sec | screen time + focus vs Awhile Focus

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

Awhile Focus

Features
Read full description

Awhile is a quieter kind of focus app: a sky full of real stars, and a little time set aside for yourself. Every focus session lights one real star, by its real name. Light them all and a constellation appears — the same figures drawn in the night sky for thousands of years. Complete a family of figures and a whole band of sky settles into place. Make the whole sky your own. There are no accounts, no feeds, and no pressure — just one real star for every quiet moment. BLOCK THE DISTRACTIONS Choose the apps, categories and websites that pull you away, and Awhile uses Apple's Screen Time to keep them out of reach for the length of your focus session. They come back the moment you finish. Blocking is optional, stays on your device, and you can turn it off whenever you like. A GENTLE WELLBEING CHECK-IN If your timer has stopped and you haven't opened Awhile, the app can send one kind note — a reminder to grab a water, take a break, or read a message you wrote yourself. Choose whether it is sent, how long to wait, and what it says. MADE FOR YOUR PACE Sleep Focus setup guidance and clear permission states make it easier to shape a quiet moment that works for you. No streaks, no scores, no guilt.

Screenshots

one sec | screen time + focus4 screens
Awhile Focus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Awhile Focus at none against one sec | screen time + focus's 6. Awhile Focus also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 weeks). one sec | screen time + focus's advantage is device support (4 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price and ads 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. Awhile Focus asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, Awhile Focus every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
one sec | screen time + focus versus Awhile Focus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterone sec | screen time + focusAwhile Focus
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (24K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings24K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size349 MB50 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.Piotr Michalik

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)

Awhile Focus

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
None

Awhile Focus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
one sec | screen time + focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Awhile Focus free?
Awhile Focus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do one sec | screen time + focus or Awhile Focus have ads?
Neither one sec | screen time + focus nor Awhile Focus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or Awhile Focus?
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update every 2 weeks, and Awhile Focus every 3 days. Most recently, one sec | screen time + focus was updated on October 24, 2026 and Awhile Focus on October 9, 2026.

Other comparisons