Comparison

Refocus vs Lock In

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

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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

Refocus4 screens
Lock In4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update weekly, Lock In every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Refocus versus Lock In: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusLock In
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews93.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12K — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 3 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB127 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCGeorg Ye

Customer experience

Refocus

All ratings11,734 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral1.9%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews2,242 reviews
Positive93.0%
Neutral2.9%
Negative4.1%

Lock In

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

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

Lock In

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
4 purchases

Lock In

Subscriptions3
  • 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
One-time1
  • Emergency Unlock$4.99

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lock In free?
Lock In is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Refocus or Lock In have ads?
Refocus shows ads; Lock In does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or Lock In?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and Lock In every 3 days. Most recently, Refocus was updated on October 27, 2026 and Lock In on October 24, 2026.

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