Comparison

Refocus vs offtime

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

offtime

This app helps you reclaim your time by blocking distracting applications. It uses a unique physical barrier method, requiring you to move to disable blocks, fostering self-control and digital discipline. Gain insights into your saved time and create custom blocking profiles for different situations.

Highlights
  • Physical barrier app blocking
  • QR code or NFC activation
  • Custom app/category blocking
  • Blocking profiles for situations
  • Scheduled blocking times
  • Time saved insights
  • Offline and local operation
Read full description

OFFTIME – THE APP AGAINST APPS Block distracting apps – and reclaim your time. Offtime is the app against apps – helping you enjoy more of real life. With a simple scan, you block digital distractions and focus on what truly matters. The special part: the unlock code is physically removed – you have to move to disable the block. That creates distance, clarity, and focus. HOW IT WORKS * Select distracting apps or categories * Activate the block via QR code or NFC tag * Place the code out of reach – for example, in the hallway or on a shelf * Apps remain blocked until you scan the code again or the timer expires FEATURES - APP BLOCKING WITH PHYSICAL BARRIER You must actively move to disable the block – this helps prevent impulsive unlocking - QR CODE OR NFC ACTIVATION Start your focus session by scanning a physical trigger - STOPWATCH AND TIMER MODE Use the built-in stopwatch or set a timer for how long you want to block - CUSTOM APP OR CATEGORY SELECTION Block only the apps or categories that distract you. Keep the tools you need. - BLOCKING PROFILES Create templates for different situations: such as work, studying, or bedtime - SCHEDULED BLOCK TIMES Set automatic block times that repeat daily or weekly - INSIGHTS Get insights on how much time offtime has saved you, with our weekly and monthly overview - MINIMALISTIC DARK DESIGN Focus on function, not distraction – ideal for digital minimalism - FULLY OFFLINE AND LOCAL No cloud, no tracking, no data sharing WHY OFFTIME? Offtime takes a different approach. Instead of a simple software-based app blocker, it adds a physical layer. You place your unlock key – like a printed QR code or NFC tag – deliberately out of reach. This creates a real-world hurdle: you must actively choose and physically move to lift the block. This simple idea strengthens your self-control and makes digital discipline effortless. UNLOCK THE PRO VERSION * Unlimited number of blocking profiles * Up to 20 active schedules simultaneously * No limits on scheduled block times * Monthly insights Privacy Policy: https://useofftime.com/privacy.php?section=app Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
offtime4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: offtime at none against Refocus's shown. offtime also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Refocus's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (12K vs 1). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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 12 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and offtime sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

offtime holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Refocus has 12K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update weekly, offtime every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Refocus versus offtime: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusofftime
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews93.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12K — better1
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCLouie Gaiser

Customer experience

Refocus

All ratings11,541 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral1.9%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews2,219 reviews
Positive93.0%
Neutral3.0%
Negative4.0%

offtime

All ratings1 ratings
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

offtime

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 Year trial2 variants$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
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

offtime

Subscriptions3
  • offtime Pro - Weekly$1.997 Days
  • offtime Pro - Monthly$5.991 Month
  • offtime Pro - Yearly$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • offtime Pro - Lifetime$17.99

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is offtime free?
offtime is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Refocus or offtime?
offtime is rated higher. Refocus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while offtime averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Refocus or offtime have ads?
Refocus shows ads; offtime does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or offtime?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and offtime every 2 months. Most recently, Refocus was updated on October 17, 2026 and offtime on October 2, 2026.

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