Comparison

Refocus vs Unplugged

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

Unplugged

Regain control of your device usage with tools designed to reduce distractions and enhance focus. Set custom blocking schedules, daily time limits, and choose difficulty levels to enforce discipline. Gain insights into your digital habits with comprehensive analytics.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps and websites
  • Customizable blocking schedules
  • Set daily app usage time limits
  • Enforce focus with difficulty levels
  • Detailed screen time analytics
  • Instant blocking with custom timers
Features
Read full description

Unplugged - App Blocker, Focus Take back control of your screen time — easily and effectively! Unplugged helps you limit daily device usage, reduce distractions, and boost your focus with simple, smart tools. Complete Blocking Control Block access to any distracting app or website: • YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook • Reddit, X (Twitter), Messenger, Discord, WhatsApp Flexible Blocking Modes Choose how and when to stay focused: • Block Now: Instantly block selected apps with a custom timer • Schedule: Automatically block apps on specific days and times (e.g., weekdays 9 AM–5 PM) • Time Limit: Set daily usage caps — apps block automatically once the limit is reached • Lock: Start your day with apps blocked and limit how often you can unblock them Difficulty Levels Tailor the unblocking experience to your willpower: • Easy: Take a break or end a session anytime • Timeout: Wait before a break is allowed • Deep Focus: Only a few short unblocks, and sessions can't be changed or deleted while they run. Optionally prevent deleting apps, including Unplugged itself, while a session is active Daily Screen Time Goal & Streaks (new) Turn focus into a habit: • Set a daily screen time goal for your distracting apps • Get a gentle heads-up at 50% and 80% of your goal • Stay under your goal to grow your streak, unlock milestones from Ember to Zen Master, and celebrate your progress • Streak Freeze (Pro): protects your streak on an off day Comprehensive Analytics Gain insights into your habits with: • Daily and weekly reports • Detailed breakdown of screen time, pickups and app usage • Comparison with the previous day or week Whether you want to reduce phone addiction, improve productivity, or build healthier digital habits, Unplugged is your perfect companion. Download now and start your journey to a healthier screen-life balance! Terms of use http://appzpixel.com/unplugged-terms-conditions.html

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
Unplugged4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Unplugged at none against Refocus's shown. Unplugged also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Refocus's advantage is ratings volume (12K vs 2). 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 Unplugged sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Unplugged 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 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update weekly, Unplugged every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Refocus versus Unplugged: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusUnplugged
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews92.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings12K — better2
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCRajinder Paul

Customer experience

Refocus

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

Unplugged

All ratings2 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

Unplugged

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
2 purchases

Unplugged

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Unplugged free?
Unplugged is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Refocus or Unplugged?
Unplugged is rated higher. Refocus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Unplugged averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Refocus or Unplugged have ads?
Refocus shows ads; Unplugged does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or Unplugged?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and Unplugged every 2 weeks. Most recently, Refocus was updated on November 7, 2026 and Unplugged on November 4, 2026.

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