Comparison

Refocus vs HolyScrolls

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

HolyScrolls

This app helps you prioritize prayer and reduce screen time by blocking distracting apps. It encourages building a daily prayer habit and offers features to track progress and customize blocking schedules.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps
  • 15-minute prayer to unlock apps
  • Track prayer progress
  • Customizable prayer intervals
  • App restriction by day
  • Privacy-focused data handling
Read full description

Start your day with intention, and make prayer a priority. Block out distractions so you can pray before you scroll each day. HolyScrolls empowers you to reclaim your mornings and build a daily prayer habit. Whether you're looking to grow spiritually, reduce screen time, or simply start your day with God, HolyScrolls is your companion for a more intentional life. FREE FEATURES: - Choose which apps to block - Pray for 15 minutes to unlock your apps each day - Get showered with confetti for finishing a prayer - Track your prayer progress with a dashboard - Get notified when your apps are unblocked - Get reminded to start the day with prayer - Simple design to protect your battery life PREMIUM FEATURES (Available via in-app purchase): - Set personalized prayer intervals by the hour, minute, and second to unblock your apps each day - Customize which days to restrict apps - Use Selahs to skip a day if needed - Track your prayer progress with a premium dashboard that includes total time prayed, total Selahs or skips, and last 30 day trends PRIVACY FIRST: 1. HolyScrolls uses Apple's Screen Time API to block your apps 2. Your data stays on your device and never leaves your phone Try HolyScrolls for free and transform your morning one prayer at a time. Terms of Service: https://holyscrollsapp.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://holyscrollsapp.com/privacy

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
HolyScrolls4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Refocus at 4.8 against HolyScrolls's 4.0. Refocus also leads on ratings volume (12K vs 4) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). HolyScrolls's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases 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 HolyScrolls sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Refocus holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. 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. Written reviews complicate that: 93% of Refocus's written reviews are positive against 100% of HolyScrolls's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update weekly, HolyScrolls every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Refocus versus HolyScrolls: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusHolyScrolls
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings) — better4.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews92.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12K — better4
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCJehovah-Nissi Kim

Customer experience

Refocus

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

HolyScrolls

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
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

HolyScrolls

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
6 purchases

HolyScrolls

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Premium Subscription$5.991 Month
  • Yearly Premium Subscription$29.991 Year
One-time4
  • 2 Selahs$1.99
  • 5 Selahs$4.99
  • 10 Selahs$8.99
Show 1 more
  • 20 Selahs$16.99

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HolyScrolls free?
HolyScrolls is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Refocus or HolyScrolls?
Refocus is rated higher. Refocus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while HolyScrolls averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Refocus or HolyScrolls have ads?
Refocus shows ads; HolyScrolls does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or HolyScrolls?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and HolyScrolls every 2 weeks. Most recently, Refocus was updated on November 9, 2026 and HolyScrolls on October 30, 2026.

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