Comparison

Refocus vs Blok

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

Head to head
About

Refocus

This app helps you regain control of your digital life by blocking distracting apps and websites. It offers various methods to limit screen time, set schedules, and track your usage, promoting better focus and productivity.

Highlights
  • Block any app or website
  • Strict Mode with multiple unblocking challenges
  • Set app timers and time limits
  • Schedule blocking for specific times
  • Location-based blocking
  • Screen time analytics
  • macOS app available
Features
Read full description

Refocus is an app blocker & website blocker that helps you limit screen time on apps! Refocus is easy to use, yet has powerful screen time control features: ▶ Various ways to restrict or lock apps and block websites. Choose what helps you focus! Block any app or site — from social media and games to messaging and news. ▶ "Strict Mode" feature prevents you from unblocking. Set a passcode, or use an NFC tag, or wait a duration (ex. 30 seconds), or do a copy text challenge, or utilize Pomodoro (limit unblocking to 5 times per day, for 25 minutes each, with a 5-minute cooldown between each unblock). ▶ Block for a specific duration (ex. app timer for 30 minutes). ▶ Block at specific times (ex. every weekday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). ▶ Set app limits (ex. after 10 minutes of using Instagram, block it). Set an app time limit! ▶ Hide Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts in Safari. ▶ Block at the location you pick — whether it be home, work or school. ▶ View your daily, weekly and monthly Screen Time analytics. Use Refocus as a screen time tracker! ▶ Mac app that also lets you block apps and websites on macOS. ▶ And more! --- Visit www.refocusapp.co for more information. Terms of Use: - https://refocusapp.co/terms-of-use

About

Blok

This app works with a physical device to help you block distracting apps and websites. It allows you to select which apps to block, tap a device to activate focus mode, and set custom schedules for different activities. Reclaim your time and boost productivity by minimizing digital distractions.

Highlights
  • Customizable app blocking
  • Tap-to-block technology
  • Focus modes for schedules
  • Secure and private data storage
  • Reclaim time and boost productivity
Features
Read full description

Blok helps you reduce screen time by making distractions harder to access. HOW IT WORKS ↓ 1. Choose the apps and websites you want to block 2. Start a Blok session by scanning a product barcode or Blok Card 3. To unBlok, complete the physical action again WHY BLOK WORKS ↓ Most app blockers are too easy to bypass. Blok adds friction at the exact moment you are most likely to scroll again. Instead of relying on willpower alone, Blok turns blocking and unblocking into a physical ritual. Tap your Blok Card or scan your registered barcode to Blok distracting apps and websites. When you want back in, you need the same physical action again. With Blok, you can: - Block distracting apps, websites, and categories - Use a product barcode or Blok Card as your physical key - Create focus modes for work, sleep, study, or personal time - Schedule automatic Blok sessions - Take limited breaks without fully giving up - Combine modes for stricter blocking - Track your Blok streak and time Blok'd - Add friends and compare progress in Blok World - See Blok'd status on your Lock Screen with Live Activities Blok is built for people who want a real-world way to reduce doomscrolling, social media overuse, and phone addiction. Privacy Policy: https://shop.blok.so/pages/privacy-policy Terms: https://shop.blok.so/pages/terms-and-conditions

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
Blok4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Refocus at 93% against Blok's 51%. Refocus also leads on ratings volume (12K vs 777) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). Blok's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Refocus sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Blok sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Refocus holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Refocus has 12K ratings behind it against 777, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 93% of Refocus's written reviews are positive against 51% of Blok's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update weekly, Blok every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Refocus versus Blok: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusBlok
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings) — better4.5 (777 ratings)
Positive reviews93.0% of reviews — better50.6% of reviews
Number of ratings12K — better777
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 9 days
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB115 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCJust Commit Inc.

Customer experience

Refocus

All ratings11,757 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral1.9%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews2,246 reviews
Positive93.0%
Neutral2.9%
Negative4.1%

Blok

All ratings775 ratings
Positive89.3%
Neutral3.1%
Negative7.6%
Written reviews79 reviews
Positive50.6%
Neutral6.3%
Negative43.0%

User reviews

Refocus

From 12K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to set up and use
  • 🚀 Effective at blocking distractions
  • 💡 Customizable blocking schedules
  • 🔒 Prevents mindless scrolling
  • 🚀 Improved productivity and focus

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
  • 🔓 Too easy to bypass the blocking
  • 💰 Some features require paid subscription
  • 🔓 Ability to delete app and remove restrictions

Blok

From 777 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Life-changing
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 🔒 Helps with discipline and focus
  • 💡 Clever physical barrier concept
  • 👍 Great customer support

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy, unreliable, and inconsistent
  • 🔒 Paywall for basic features
  • 🔒 Subscription required
  • 🐛 Scanning and detection issues
  • 🐛 Scheduling problems

Bugs and requests

Refocus

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Blocking issues after phone restart
  • Inconsistent behavior when pausing/unpausing sessions
  • Crashing when trying to block apps in certain categories

Requested features

5 requests
  • Passcode or biometric lock to prevent bypassing
  • More advanced blocking options (e.g., math problems to unblock)
  • Ability to purchase a one-time license instead of subscription
  • Notification warnings before blocking sessions end
  • Search function to find apps to block more easily

Blok

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashing and freezing
  • Inconsistent blocking and unblocking of apps
  • Issues with card/magnet detection and functionality
  • Problems with account management and subscription

Requested features

3 requests
  • Allow multiple schedules per day
  • Improve app categorization and blocking
  • Add more customization options

In-app purchases

13 purchases

Refocus

Subscriptions9
  • Refocus Pro3 Days trial2 variants$7.991 Month
  • Refocus Pro3 Days trial$8.991 Month
  • Refocus Pro3 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • Refocus Pro (Family)7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Refocus Pro$49.991 Year
  • Refocus Pro1 Month trial2 variants$49.991 Year
  • Refocus Pro7 Days trial2 variants$49.991 Year
  • Refocus Pro1 Year trial$49.991 Year
  • Refocus Pro7 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time4
  • Reset Strict Mode$1.00
  • Reset Strict Mode$5.00
  • Reset Strict Mode$10.00
Show 1 more
  • Reset Strict Mode$50.00
11 purchases

Blok

Subscriptions9
  • Blok Pro (Monthly)2 variants$9.991 Month
  • Blok Pro (Monthly)7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Blok Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
Show 6 more
  • Blok Pro (Yearly)$29.991 Year
  • Blok Membership3 Months trial$34.991 Year
  • Blok Pro (Yearly)$39.991 Year
  • Blok Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Blok Membership1 Year trial$59.991 Year
  • Blok Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time2
  • Single Emergency Unblok$4.99
  • Three Emergency Unbloks$12.99

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Blok free?
Blok is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Refocus or Blok?
Refocus is rated higher. Refocus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Blok averages 4.5 from 777 ratings.
Do Refocus or Blok have ads?
Refocus shows ads; Blok does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or Blok?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and Blok every 9 days. Most recently, Refocus was updated on October 29, 2026 and Blok on October 27, 2026.

Other comparisons