Refocus vs ScreenEarn
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
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.
- Chore setup and time rewards
- Automatic screen time earning
- Optional photo verification
- Real-time screen time tracking
- App blocking
- Weekly family reports
- Offline functionality
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
Refocus ships an update weekly, ScreenEarn every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Refocus | ScreenEarn |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (12K ratings) | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 93.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 12K — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 7 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 44 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Labi, LLC | Saragadam Solutions Inc |
Customer experience
Refocus
ScreenEarn
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
Refocus
- Refocus Pro3 Days trial2 variants$7.991 Month
- Refocus Pro3 Days trial$8.991 Month
- Refocus Pro3 Days trial$9.991 Month
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- 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
ScreenEarn
- Monthly plan$9.991 Month
- Yearly plan3 Days trial$34.991 Year









