one sec | screen time + focus vs Intervention
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 a brief pause before opening distracting applications, encouraging mindful choices about attention. It scientifically helps reduce screen time by an average of 57% by adding friction to habitual app usage.
- Delayed app access instead of blocking
- Reduces screen time by 57% on average
- Doom Scroll Emergency Brake (Re-Intervention)
- Works with any app, including social media and games
- Safari extension for website interruptions
- Integrates with Structured and LENGO
- Mindful moments via HealthKit
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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/
Intervention
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Your phone is eating your life. Not anymore. Intervention is an app blocker with a big mouth. Pick a character to keep you honest: a Drill Sergeant, a Disappointed Mom, a Bestie who's done covering for you, and two dozen more. They lock the apps that eat your day, and they call you out when you sneak back. • Lock any app on a schedule or after a daily limit • Your character on the lock screen, not a gray wall • A nudge mid-scroll, at 15 minutes, 30, an hour and on • Need a push? Your character calls you, out loud • Breaks on purpose: hold for 3 seconds, and it costs your streak • See the years you'll win back, and what you'll spend them on They swear by default. Switch it off in setup if you'd rather keep it clean. Intervention runs on Apple's Screen Time. SUBSCRIPTION Intervention Pro unlocks every character and every call. It's billed yearly or monthly to your Apple ID, with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. It renews automatically unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel in Settings › your name › Subscriptions. Terms of Use: https://server-production-17a8.up.railway.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://server-production-17a8.up.railway.app/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Intervention at every 6 days against one sec | screen time + focus's fortnightly. one sec | screen time + focus's advantage is device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, 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
Both are free to download. one sec | screen time + focus sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Intervention sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
one sec | screen time + focus ships an update fortnightly, Intervention every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | one sec | screen time + focus | Intervention |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (24K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 75.8% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 24K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 413 MB | 27 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | riedel.wtf apps S.L. | Itamar Stollman |
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)
Intervention
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
one sec | screen time + focus
- 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
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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
Intervention
- Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year
- Yearly, half off1 Year trial$49.991 Year
Questions
Is one sec | screen time + focus free?
Is Intervention free?
Do one sec | screen time + focus or Intervention have ads?
Which is updated more often, one sec | screen time + focus or Intervention?
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