Comparison

Refocus vs Study Timer

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

Study Timer

This app combines a task manager, app blocker, and timer to help users eliminate distractions and improve focus during study or work sessions. It allows users to set tasks, block distracting apps, and use a timer to stay on track, with apps remaining blocked until the session ends.

Highlights
  • Timer & Stopwatch
  • Distraction-Free Focus
  • Task Management
  • App Blocking
  • Progress Tracking
Features
Read full description

TaskFocus – Study Timer & App Blocker. Stay Focused, Study Smarter. Staying focused while studying is hard, but TaskFocus helps you stay on track. It combines a study timer, an app blocker, and session tracking in one simple tool. Whether you are preparing for exams, working through assignments, or you just need uninterrupted deep focus, TaskFocus helps you take control of your study time and eliminate distractions fast. How it works 1. Set a clear goal Choose what you want to finish today, so your study session has direction. 2. Block distractions before you start Select the social media and games you want to stop using during your session. 3. Start your focus timer Use structured focus sprints like Pomodoro or switch to open-ended tracking to match your workflow. 4. Stay focused until the session ends Distractions remain blocked for the entire session, so you do not have to keep trying to resist your phone. Key benefits Study Timer and Stopwatch Pick Pomodoro-style sprints for quick momentum or track time freely for longer study blocks. App Blocking that actually lasts Temporarily block distracting apps during your session, so you stay in study mode from start to finish. Smart session tracking Log your study time and build a clear history of what you completed, not just what you intended to do. Control when distractions return Apps only unblock when you decide your session is over, helping you avoid “just one more minute” distractions. Detailed progress reports Review your focus patterns over time and improve how you plan and run future sessions. TaskFocus is for students, exam prep, and anyone who needs uninterrupted focus. Start your next study session with TaskFocus and work without constant app interruptions. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
Study Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Study Timer at none against Refocus's shown. Study Timer also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Refocus's advantage is ratings volume (11K vs 1) and update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks). On price, review sentiment, 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 12 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Study Timer sells 4 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

Study Timer holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Refocus has 11K ratings behind it against 1, 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 100% of Study Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update weekly, Study Timer every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and August 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Refocus versus Study Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusStudy Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (11K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews93.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings11K — better1
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCAlessandro Pace

Customer experience

Refocus

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

Study Timer

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Study Timer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
4 purchases

Study Timer

Subscriptions3
  • All Access (Monthly)$2.991 Month
  • All Access (Weekly)7 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • All Access (Yearly)14 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$19.99

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Study Timer free?
Study Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Refocus or Study Timer?
Study Timer is rated higher. Refocus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 11K ratings, while Study Timer averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Refocus or Study Timer have ads?
Refocus shows ads; Study Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or Study Timer?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and Study Timer every 5 weeks. Most recently, Refocus was updated on September 27, 2026 and Study Timer on August 23, 2026.

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