Refocus vs Lock In
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
Lock In
This app helps you break phone addiction by disabling selected apps during focused sessions. You can set durations, create schedules, and take scheduled breaks. Friends can help you end sessions early, and emergency unlocks are available.
- Disable selected apps for set durations
- Create weekly app usage schedules
- Scheduled breaks with daily limits
- Friend-assisted session unlocking
- Emergency unlock option
- App uninstall protection
- Set daily app usage limits
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Reduce your screen time with the help of your friends. Lock in empowers you to break phone addiction by disabling selected apps during focused sessions. Core Features (Subscription Required): • Select apps to be disabled for a set duration or create weekly schedules. • Take breaks: 3x 1-minute and 2x 15-minute breaks available daily. • End sessions early only by: • Requesting a subscribed friend to unlock you. • Using an emergency unlock (1 free; more can be purchased (consumable)). • App uninstall protection during lock sessions. • Set daily app usage limits (e.g. 1h of Instagram, Snapchat). • To extend a limit, record yourself reading a preset message aloud and post it on the Wall of Shame. Auto-Renewable Subscriptions: All subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime via your App Store account settings. Available Plans: • Member Friends (Annual): Full access to all features. Also includes 1 free coupon to gift a “Member Solo (Annual)” subscription to a friend. Duration: 1 Year – Renews annually. • Member Solo (Annual): Full access to all features. Duration: 1 Year – Renews annually. • Member (Monthly): Full access to all features. Duration: 1 Month – Renews monthly. Prices vary by region and will be shown before purchase. Additional Purchases: • Additional emergency unlocks can be purchased in-app. Privacy Policy: https://getlockinapp.com/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://getlockinapp.com/terms-of-service https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Refocus at 93% against Lock In's 50%. Refocus also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). Lock In's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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 Lock In sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Refocus ships an update weekly, Lock In every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Refocus | Lock In |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (12K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 93.0% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 12K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 127 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Labi, LLC | Georg Ye |
Customer experience
Refocus
Lock In
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
Lock In
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
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- 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
Lock In
- Solo Membership (Monthly)7 Days trial$2.991 Month
- Solo Membership (Annually)7 Days trial$19.991 Year
- Friends Membership (Annually)7 Days trial$24.991 Year
- Emergency Unlock$4.99









