Comparison

Refocus vs LockMyApps Screen Time Control

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! ▶ 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

LockMyApps Screen Time Control

This app helps you reduce screen time and boost productivity by blocking selected applications for set durations. Utilize focus timers, daily limits, and scheduled blocking to minimize distractions and "doom scrolling."

Highlights
  • Set productivity timers to block apps
  • Reduce screen time
  • Minimize "doom scrolling"
  • Block apps temporarily
  • Add daily time limits
  • Schedule app blocking
  • Lock Now feature for short focus
Read full description

Introducing LockMyApps, the revolutionary AI-powered productivity app that helps you reduce your screen time so that you can focus on what matters in the real world. What LockMyApps can do for you: ● Set productivity timers to block out apps ● Increase your productivity ● Reduce your screen time ● Reduce “doom scrolling” on your phone And more. ———————————————————— How to use LockMyApps: 1. Select the apps that you want to temporarily block on your phone 2. Set the amount of minutes or hours you want to block your apps 3. Your selected apps will be unable to be opened until your timer is completed *If you need to remove the block on your apps (due to an emergency or something) you can do so in your app’s settings ———————————————————— LockMyApps Premium policy: Once you sign up to LockMyApps Premium, you will have full access to all of LockMyApps's features. You can cancel your subscription any time and you will be sent a reminder before your LockMyApps subscription begins after your trial. With LockMyApps Premium, you get access to the full app: ● Lock your apps and reduce your screen time up to 90% ● Use the Lock Now feature for short term focus ● Add daily time limits to your apps ● Schedule when to lock your apps ahead of time ● Works for any app on your phone ● No ads ● Cancel anytime LockMyApps Premium options: ● LockMyApps Weekly: $8.99/week ● LockMyApps Yearly: 3 days free and then $69.99/year ———————————————————— Have any questions or recommendations? Feel free to reach out to me at: Andrew@AndrewLee.Ventures Privacy Policy: https://andrewlee.ventures/privacy Terms Of Use: https://andrewlee.ventures/terms-of-use

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
LockMyApps Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Refocus at weekly against LockMyApps Screen Time Control's every 5 weeks. Refocus also leads on ratings volume (11K vs 287) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On price, review sentiment, 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. Refocus sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and LockMyApps Screen Time Control sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. 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 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Refocus has 11K ratings behind it against 287, 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 87% of LockMyApps Screen Time Control's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update weekly, LockMyApps Screen Time Control every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Refocus versus LockMyApps Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusLockMyApps Screen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (11K ratings) — better4.6 (287 ratings)
Positive reviews93.3% of reviews — better87.3% of reviews
Number of ratings11K — better287
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB60 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCAndrew Lee

Customer experience

Refocus

All ratings11,296 ratings
Positive95.2%
Neutral1.9%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews2,150 reviews
Positive93.3%
Neutral2.7%
Negative4.0%

LockMyApps Screen Time Control

All ratings287 ratings
Positive90.6%
Neutral3.1%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews142 reviews
Positive87.3%
Neutral2.8%
Negative9.9%

User reviews

Refocus

From 11K 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

LockMyApps Screen Time Control

From 287 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Helps with productivity and focus
  • 🚀 Easy to use and set up
  • 💰 Free app with no ads
  • 🔒 Effectively locks apps to limit usage

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional freezing or glitches
  • 🔒 Limited ability to select multiple apps to lock at once
  • 🕰️ Issues with recurring lock schedules not working as expected

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

LockMyApps Screen Time Control

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App thinks it's a different day, affecting lock schedules
  • Inability to select apps to lock on certain days

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add option to hide/make locked apps invisible
  • Allow setting different lock schedules for different apps
  • Include a widget for quick access to locking features

In-app purchases

12 purchases

Refocus

Subscriptions8
  • Refocus Pro3 Days trial2 variants$7.991 Month
  • Refocus Pro3 Days trial$8.991 Month
  • Refocus Pro3 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Refocus Pro (Family)7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Refocus Pro1 Month trial2 variants$49.991 Year
  • Refocus Pro7 Days trial3 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
13 purchases

LockMyApps Screen Time Control

Subscriptions12
  • LockMyApps Pro 1 Week3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • LockMyApps Pro 1 Week3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • LockMyApps Pro 1 Week3 Days trial$4.997 Days
Show 9 more
  • LockMyApps Pro 1 Week3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • LockMyApps Premium: 1 Week$8.997 Days
  • LockMyApps Premium: Monthly$14.991 Month
  • LockMyApps Premium: Discount3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • LockMyApps: Premium3 Days trial2 variants$34.991 Year
  • LockMyApps: Premium3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • LockMyApps: Premium3 Days trial$44.991 Year
  • LockMyApps: Premium3 Days trial2 variants$59.991 Year
  • LockMyApps Premium: 1 Year3 Days trial$69.991 Year
One-time1
  • LockMyApps Premium: LifetimeFree

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LockMyApps Screen Time Control free?
LockMyApps Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Refocus or LockMyApps Screen Time Control?
Refocus is rated higher. Refocus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 11K ratings, while LockMyApps Screen Time Control averages 4.6 from 287 ratings.
Do Refocus or LockMyApps Screen Time Control have ads?
Both Refocus and LockMyApps Screen Time Control show ads.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or LockMyApps Screen Time Control?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and LockMyApps Screen Time Control every 5 weeks. Most recently, Refocus was updated on September 24, 2026 and LockMyApps Screen Time Control on September 4, 2026.

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