Refocus vs NowFocus
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
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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
NowFocus
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Controlling Screen Time is critical for mental health, focus, productivity, and relationships. Social media and other addictive apps can easily distract you from your goals. NowFocus helps you focus so you can make the most out of every day. Users find that NowFocus helps them: - Reduce social media impulse opens - Focus on deep work and engage in flow state activities - Reduce the level of distraction 85% save at least 1 hour *daily* thanks to the app. Social Media Doomscrolling is the cause of excessive screen time for many people, with Nowfocus, users report that: - Phone Addiction subsides - Dopamine craving for apps is less powerful Digital Minimalism is a new health wave that Nowfocus enables for users: - Limit apps in alignment with your intention - Mindfulness practices encourage a more balanced approach to phone usage Digital Wellbeing is a large and growing consideration in the health and wellness spaces. Nowfocus users have found it helpful in dealing with: - Anxiety - Better managing ADHD - Improving productivity at work - Staying in focus when you need it most - Depression - Socializing Research indicates that negative habits are hard to change through willpower alone, but that small, recurring nudges are effective at reshaping default patterns of behavior. CREATE A PERSONALIZED APP LIST You can add or remove any App and Website that are distracting to you directly from NowFocus' settings in the app. You can customize your NowFocus experience and block all apps and sites on your phone, including: - Facebook - Instagram - Snapchat - TikTok - YouTube - Netflix - Tinder - Hinge - Bumble - Many more: News, Messaging, Dating, Money apps etc. PRIVATE & SAFE We use Apple's Screen Time API in order to monitor and block apps you use. Installation is easy and takes a few seconds on your iPhone. Unlike most apps, Nowfocus works entirely on your phone and personal browsing data never leaves your device. TERMS, PRIVACY & CONDITIONS Read on: https://imoblife.net/NowFocus/PrivacyPolicy/Terms_&_Conditions.html https://imoblife.net/NowFocus/PrivacyPolicy/Privacy_Policy.html https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: NowFocus at none against Refocus's shown. On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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 13 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and NowFocus sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Refocus ships an update weekly, NowFocus every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Refocus | NowFocus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (12K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 93.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 12K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 42 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Labi, LLC | Lepeng Li |
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
NowFocus
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
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- 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
- Reset Strict Mode$1.00
- Reset Strict Mode$5.00
- Reset Strict Mode$10.00
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Reset Strict Mode$50.00
NowFocus
- 1-Month Premium$2.491 Month
- 1-Year Premium3 Days trial$29.991 Year









