Refocus vs Route
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
Route
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A little run. A lot done. Groceries, a birthday parcel, the library books—make room for life while Route-Runner helps you organize the stops. Capture what needs doing, see what fits nearby, and turn several errands into one planned outing. iOS 27 APPLE INTELLIGENCE FOR EVERYDAY ERRANDS Say or type what needs doing and let Apple AI help identify the shopping items, merchant and due date. Review the suggested details before saving, then use them to organize your outing. On eligible iOS 27 devices, supported interpretation can use Apple's Private Cloud Compute when available, with on-device Apple Intelligence available as a fallback for supported failures. Less retyping makes it easier to capture the errand while it is on your mind. ADVANCED SIRI INTEGRATION ON iOS 27 Turn your words into action. Add an errand with a timeframe such as tomorrow, find errands by item or place, ask how many are pending or overdue, and ask for the best available stop using your current location and ranked errands. Mark a selected errand complete or reopen it when plans change. Siri can also open an errand's details, trip planning and saved places, so you spend less time moving through menus. Location-based answers require current location and a suitable available recommendation. A BRIGHTER WAY TO GET THINGS DONE Colorful cards make your errands easy to scan. Switch between All, Today and Done, check off a finished errand, and use Undo if you tapped too soon. Playful illustrations and gentle animation bring a little encouragement to your day, with support for Reduce Motion. CAPTURE THE DETAILS • Type or speak an errand naturally • Keep shopping items, a destination and a due date together • Scan product barcodes • Use Apple Intelligence on compatible devices to help identify items, merchants and dates • Review and edit the details before saving FIND A GOOD MOMENT • See priorities based on location, distance and deadlines • Check destination details and understand the suggested next stop • Receive opportunities when an errand fits your location and schedule, with notification and location access enabled • Account for travel time, store hours and your next calendar commitment when that information is available PLAN YOUR LITTLE RUN • Select errands for a multi-stop trip • Review and reorder the stops • Launch navigation in Apple Maps • Save the places you return to, from your usual grocery store to the post office KEEP THE HOUSEHOLD MOVING • Share errands and synchronize updates across family devices (subscription required) • See errands on Apple Watch, with refreshed cards and quick access to details • Follow priorities through CarPlay with clear, glanceable controls • Stay connected through widgets, Live Activities, Dynamic Island and Siri AI availability depends on your device, OS, language, region, model readiness, connectivity and Apple service availability and usage limits. You can enter and edit errands manually. Voice transcription uses supported on-device speech recognition. Family sharing uses cloud synchronization; limited analytics and diagnostics help improve reliability. See our Privacy Policy for details. A little less on your list. A little more room for your day. Terms of Service: https://www.route-runner.ai/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.route-runner.ai/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Refocus at Free against Route's $1.99. Refocus also leads on update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.1). Route's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and device support (3 vs 1). On 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
Refocus is free to download; Route costs $1.99 up front. Refocus sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Route sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Refocus ships an update weekly, Route fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Refocus | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $1.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (12K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 93.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 12K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Fortnightly |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 26.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Labi, LLC | Stephen Ayers |
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
Route
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
Route
- Family Sharing$0.991 Month









