Comparison

Refocus vs App Blocker

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

Head to head
About

Refocus

This tool helps you regain control of your screen time by blocking distracting apps and websites. It offers customizable schedules, strict modes to prevent bypass, and analytics to track your usage. Available on iPhone and Mac.

Highlights
  • Block apps and websites
  • Strict mode with multiple bypass prevention methods
  • Customizable blocking schedules and timers
  • Location-based blocking
  • Screen time analytics
  • Mac 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

App Blocker

This app helps you regain control of your screen time by blocking distracting apps and websites. It offers various session types, including timed blocks and strict modes, to promote focus and productivity without relying solely on willpower. Earn rewards and track your progress to build lasting digital habits.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps and websites
  • Task and Quick Session modes
  • Scheduled Recurring Sessions
  • Strict Mode for uninterrupted focus
  • Home screen widget and Live Activity
  • Progress tracking and motivation tools
  • Ready-made templates for various needs
Features
Read full description

Take back control of your screen time. Bloko is an app blocker and focus app that blocks distracting apps and websites so you can beat doomscrolling and actually get things done - without relying on willpower. Most blockers are easy to ignore. Bloko builds a system that makes focus the default. HOW BLOKO WORKS - Task Sessions - block your apps until you finish what matters. Complete your tasks to earn access back. - Quick Sessions - block distractions for a set amount of time when you need to lock in. - Recurring Sessions - schedule daily focus blocks for study, work, or sleep that run on autopilot. - Strict Mode - once a session starts, it holds until the end. No breaks, no early unlock. WHAT YOU CAN BLOCK - Distracting apps and entire categories (social media, games, and more) - Websites and web domains - Whatever pulls you out of focus START IN ONE TAP - 22 ready-made templates for work, study, sleep, sport, family time and more - Duration presets for quick blocks, or any length you like - A home screen widget, plus a Live Activity that keeps your countdown on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island STAY MOTIVATED - Set a daily screen-time goal and watch blocked time chip away at it every week - Streaks, focus time, and a 7-day trend show real progress - Milestone medals in six tiers for streaks, focus hours, sessions and your longest blocks - Build lasting habits, one focused session at a time MADE TO LIVE ON YOUR PHONE - Light and dark themes, or follow your iPhone's appearance - Available in 11 languages - Built on Apple's Screen Time API, so what you block stays on your device WHO IT'S FOR - Students who want to study without the scroll - Professionals getting deep work done - Anyone doing a digital detox or dopamine detox BLOKO PRO Bloko is free to use with one session at a time. Pro unlocks unlimited sessions, Strict Mode, and a streak repair when you miss a day. Stop scrolling. Start focusing. Lock in with Bloko. Bloko respects your privacy. Learn more: Terms of Use: https://bloko.app/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://bloko.app/privacy/

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
App Blocker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: App Blocker at none against Refocus's shown. Refocus's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.3) and review sentiment (93% vs 67%). 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 7 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and App Blocker sells 8 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

Refocus holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Refocus has 12K ratings behind it against 4, 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 67% of App Blocker's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update weekly, App Blocker every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Refocus versus App Blocker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusApp Blocker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings) — better4.3 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews92.9% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings12K — better4
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 5 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.4
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB50 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCZigmas Vadapalas

Customer experience

Refocus

All ratings11,824 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral2.0%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews2,248 reviews
Positive92.9%
Neutral2.9%
Negative4.1%

App Blocker

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

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

App Blocker

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Refocus

Subscriptions7
  • Refocus Pro3 Days trial2 variants$7.991 Month
  • Refocus Pro3 Days trial$8.991 Month
  • Refocus Pro3 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • Refocus Pro$49.991 Year
  • Refocus Pro1 Month trial2 variants$49.991 Year
  • Refocus Pro7 Days trial2 variants$49.991 Year
  • Refocus Pro7 Days trial$59.991 Year
8 purchases

App Blocker

Subscriptions6
  • Unlimited access$2.991 Month
  • Unlimited access$3.991 Month
  • Unlimited access$4.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Unlimited access7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Unlimited access3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Unlimited access$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • Unlimited access$49.99
  • Unlimited access$89.99

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is App Blocker free?
App Blocker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Refocus or App Blocker?
Refocus is rated higher. Refocus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while App Blocker averages 4.3 from 4 ratings.
Do Refocus or App Blocker have ads?
Refocus shows ads; App Blocker does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or App Blocker?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and App Blocker every 5 days. Most recently, Refocus was updated on November 12, 2026 and App Blocker on November 11, 2026.

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