Comparison

Jomo vs Recode

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Jomo

This app helps you reduce phone usage and improve focus by blocking distracting apps and websites. It offers insights into your screen time, promoting healthier digital habits for better sleep, productivity, and well-being.

Highlights
  • App blocking system
  • Website blocking
  • Category blocking (Social Media, Games)
  • Mindful break options
  • Screen time analysis
  • Habit building
Features
Read full description

Welcome to Jomo, an app that helps you stop wasting time on your phone so you can thrive every day! We make reducing screen time super easy and fun. Unsure of how to improve your screen time? We got you! Jomo will help you understand the time spent on your phone and how to find a healthy balance between productivity and play. Will you be #productive or #distracted? Come and find out! Jomo offers a powerful app-blocking system that will change how you use your phone in the long term. Block one or more apps for the times you set to focus on what matters most. You can always take mindful breaks if you need to. So, ready to feel proud about your screen time? Download Jomo and let's get started! ◆ BENEFITS ◆ 1. Sleep Better: Stop mindless scrolling at bedtime 2. Stay Focused: Work better by reducing distractions and multitasking 3. Save Time: Reduce your screen time by 50% in the first week 4. Healthy Habits: Protect special moments with your screen time routine 5. Save Money: Prevent impulsive buying and being overexposed to social media ads ◆ BLOCK ANY APP AND WEBSITE ON YOUR IPHONE/IPAD ◆ You can use Jomo to block any app as well as websites (on all browsers). You can also select entire categories of apps and websites to block (Social Media, Games, Shopping, etc). It's time to protect your time and attention from these distractions: - Instagram - TikTok - Facebook - X / Twitter - LinkedIn - YouTube - Snapchat - Netflix - WhatsApp - Messenger - And more: News, Games, Shopping, Entertainment, and other distracting apps and websites. ◆ PRIVACY ◆ To access your screen time and block apps, Jomo uses the secure Screen Time API provided by Apple. Jomo has no access and will never see your private data (used apps, passwords, messages, content viewed, etc.). If you want to learn more about our terms and privacy policy: - Terms of Use: https://getjomo.notion.site/Terms-of-Use-fb74fe39233b468f937707aeb2020bc2 - Privacy Policy: https://getjomo.notion.site/Privacy-Policy-7265a825c9fe4b289229cec614a169fd ◆ JOMO PLUS ◆ Jomo offers auto-renewable subscriptions: - $5.99/month (automatically renewed) - $2.49/month (billed annually via a $29.99 payment) - $99.99 (one-time purchase) The yearly plan includes a 3-day free trial. After the free trial (only available on the annual version), the total amount for the subscription will be charged to your iTunes Account. The subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal at the total subscription price within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Subscriptions and auto-renewals may be managed or canceled via your iTunes Account Settings. These prices are in US Dollars (USD). Pricing in other currencies and countries may vary and actual charges may be converted to your local currency depending on the country of residence.

About

Recode

This app helps you regain focus by physically preventing access to distracting applications. It requires scanning a QR or barcode to unlock apps, creating friction that discourages reflex checking and promotes productivity.

Highlights
  • Physical app blocking via QR/barcode scan
  • Accountability through intentional unlocking
  • Reduces reflex app checking
  • Promotes focus and productivity
  • Customizable app blocking schedules
Read full description

Stop scrolling. Start living. Recode is the only screen time app that requires you to physically scan a QR code or barcode to unlock your blocked apps. No easy bypass. No cheating. Just real accountability. How it works: 1. Choose which apps to block and set your schedule. 2. Pick any QR code or barcode as your unlock key — a book on your shelf, a code at your desk, anything. 3. When you want to unblock, you have to physically go scan it. That friction is what makes Recode work. Why it's different: Other screen time apps let you bypass limits with a single tap. Recode doesn't. The physical requirement of scanning a code creates real resistance between you and your distracting apps. You can't cheat from the couch. Track your progress with Streaks: Build a daily streak by keeping your break time under 30 minutes. Watch your calendar fill with green as you take back control of your habits. Built from personal experience: I built Recode because I was losing myself in endless scrolling — distracted all day, drained at night, ashamed of how little I got done. Even in its demo version, the simple act of requiring a scan to unblock completely shifted my habits. Knowing I couldn't unblock until I got home kept me off my phone. Over time, I reclaimed focus, confidence, and the satisfaction of being productive. Take control of your time. Download Recode today. Available subscription options: Recode Pro – Monthly or Annual auto-renewable subscription. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Jomo4 screens
Recode4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Jomo at 4.8 against Recode's 4.2. Jomo also leads on ratings volume (2.4K vs 5) and review sentiment (82% vs 67%). 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. Jomo sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Recode sells 2 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

Jomo holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Jomo has 2.4K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of Jomo's written reviews are positive against 67% of Recode's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Jomo ships an update every 2 weeks, Recode weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Jomo versus Recode: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJomoRecode
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2.4K ratings) — better4.2 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews82.1% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings2.4K — better5
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size162 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJomoAlexander Hartigan

Customer experience

Jomo

All ratings2,423 ratings
Positive94.7%
Neutral1.7%
Negative3.6%
Written reviews616 reviews
Positive82.1%
Neutral5.0%
Negative12.8%

Recode

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Jomo

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App picker issues on iOS
  • App counting screen time when phone is powered off
  • Strict mode being bypassed by disabling screen time restrictions

Requested features

6 requests
  • Sync rules and sessions between devices
  • Better UI for Mac version
  • Ability to manually add screen time from external sources
  • More robust analytics and data visualization
  • Ability to choose time period for analytics
Show 1 more
  • Landscape view for tablets

Recode

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

11 purchases

Jomo

Subscriptions8
  • Jomo Plus (Monthly)$5.991 Month
  • Jomo Plus (Monthly)1 Month trial$5.991 Month
  • Jomo Plus Family (Monthly)$11.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Jomo Plus (Annual)3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Jomo Plus (Annual)1 Year trial$29.991 Year
  • Jomo Plus (Annual)$29.991 Year
  • Jomo Plus (Annual)14 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Jomo Plus Family (Annual)3 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time3
  • Jomo Plus (Lifetime)$84.99
  • Jomo Plus (Lifetime)$99.99
  • Jomo Plus Family (Lifetime)$199.99
2 purchases

Recode

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Jomo free?
Jomo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Recode free?
Recode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Jomo or Recode?
Jomo is rated higher. Jomo averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.4K ratings, while Recode averages 4.2 from 5 ratings.
Do Jomo or Recode have ads?
Neither Jomo nor Recode shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Jomo or Recode?
Jomo ships an update every 2 weeks, and Recode weekly. Most recently, Jomo was updated on October 1, 2026 and Recode on September 18, 2026.

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