Comparison

Refocus vs ScreenEarn

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

ScreenEarn

This app helps parents manage children's screen time by linking it to chore completion. Kids earn rewards for completing tasks, fostering responsibility and reducing household conflicts. A single family plan covers all devices and children.

Highlights
  • Chore setup and time rewards
  • Automatic screen time earning
  • Optional photo verification
  • Real-time screen time tracking
  • App blocking
  • Weekly family reports
  • Offline functionality
Features
Read full description

ScreenEarn: Earn Your Screen Time Stop fighting over screen time. Start rewarding good behavior. ScreenEarn helps parents manage screen time by tying it to chores. Kids earn what they want. Parents get peace at home. IMPORTANT: ScreenEarn requires a subscription to access features. One single Family Plan covers all children and devices in your household. HOW IT WORKS: Set up chores (dishes, homework, room cleaning) Assign time rewards (15 min for making bed, 30 min for homework) Kids complete chores and earn screen time automatically FEATURES: Unlimited Chores & Kids: Included in your family subscription Real-time screen time tracking App blocking when time runs out WHY PARENTS LOVE SCREENEARN: • No more daily battles over phones/tablets • Kids learn responsibility & time management • Positive reinforcement (not punishment) • Simple, beautiful design • One clear price for the whole family WHY KIDS LOVE SCREENEARN: • Earn screen time instead of losing it • See exactly what's needed (no surprises) • Track progress in real-time • Feel in control SUBSCRIPTION & LEGAL: ScreenEarn requires a monthly or annual subscription. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy-First: We don't read texts, emails, or track locations. ScreenEarn focuses on time management, not surveillance.

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
ScreenEarn4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Refocus at free with in-app purchases against ScreenEarn's subscription. Refocus also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 7 months) and ratings volume (12K vs 4). ScreenEarn's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). 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 ScreenEarn sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ScreenEarn 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 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update weekly, ScreenEarn every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Refocus versus ScreenEarn: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusScreenEarn
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews93.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12K — better4
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 7 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCSaragadam Solutions Inc

Customer experience

Refocus

All ratings11,757 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral1.9%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews2,246 reviews
Positive93.0%
Neutral2.9%
Negative4.1%

ScreenEarn

All ratings4 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

ScreenEarn

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
2 purchases

ScreenEarn

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly plan$9.991 Month
  • Yearly plan3 Days trial$34.991 Year

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ScreenEarn free?
ScreenEarn is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Refocus or ScreenEarn?
ScreenEarn is rated higher. Refocus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while ScreenEarn averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Refocus or ScreenEarn have ads?
Refocus shows ads; ScreenEarn does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or ScreenEarn?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and ScreenEarn every 7 months. Most recently, Refocus was updated on October 29, 2026 and ScreenEarn on September 30, 2026.

Other comparisons