Refocus vs Hack Dearborn 4
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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
Hack Dearborn 4
This app serves as a central hub for event participants, offering notifications and check-in functionalities. It's designed to facilitate problem-solving and technology-driven solutions in a creative environment.
- Event notifications
- Check-in functionality
- Problem-solving space
- Technology solutions
- Student-focused
Read full descriptionHide full description
Hack Dearborn will be hosted at the University of Michigan Dearborn by the Google Developer Student Clubs chapter at the University. Hack Dearborn aims to provide students with a creative space to solve problems and create real world solutions using technology. Use thsi app for notifications and checking in!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hack Dearborn 4 at none against Refocus's 17. Hack Dearborn 4 also leads on ads (none vs shown). Refocus's advantage is ratings volume (11K vs 4) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and device support 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. Refocus sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Hack Dearborn 4 asks for nothing beyond the download.
Refocus holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Refocus has 11K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 93% of Refocus's written reviews are positive against 100% of Hack Dearborn 4's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Refocus ships an update weekly, Hack Dearborn 4 every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Refocus | Hack Dearborn 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (11K ratings) — better | 4.5 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 93.3% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 11K — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 8 days |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 25 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Labi, LLC | Ali Bdeir |
Customer experience
Refocus
Hack Dearborn 4
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
Hack Dearborn 4
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Refocus
- Refocus Pro3 Days trial2 variants$7.991 Month
- Refocus Pro3 Days trial$8.991 Month
- Refocus Pro3 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- 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
- Reset Strict Mode$1.00
- Reset Strict Mode$5.00
- Reset Strict Mode$10.00
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Reset Strict Mode$50.00
Hack Dearborn 4
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Refocus free?
Is Hack Dearborn 4 free?
Which has better reviews, Refocus or Hack Dearborn 4?
Do Refocus or Hack Dearborn 4 have ads?
Which is updated more often, Refocus or Hack Dearborn 4?
Other comparisons
