Comparison

Refocus vs NowFocus

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

NowFocus

Features
Read full description

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

Refocus4 screens
NowFocus4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update weekly, NowFocus every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Refocus versus NowFocus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusNowFocus
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews93.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12K — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 5 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCLepeng 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

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
2 purchases

NowFocus

Subscriptions2
  • 1-Month Premium$2.491 Month
  • 1-Year Premium3 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NowFocus free?
NowFocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Refocus or NowFocus have ads?
Refocus shows ads; NowFocus does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or NowFocus?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and NowFocus every 5 days. Most recently, Refocus was updated on October 26, 2026 and NowFocus on October 4, 2026.

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