Comparison

Refocus vs Deadline Zero

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

Deadline Zero

Features
Read full description

Deadlines aren't numbers on a calendar. They're gravity. Deadline Zero shows your tasks falling through space. The closer the deadline, the lower they sink. Miss it, and they fall into the abyss. No complex systems. No overwhelming features. Just your tasks, falling. HOW IT WORKS - Add a task with a deadline - Watch it descend as time runs out - Complete it before it's consumed - Or let it fall—and learn from it THE ABYSS Missed deadlines don't disappear. They collect in the abyss below. You can recover them, but you'll see exactly how many times you've let things slip. The app remembers. The question is whether you'll do better. FEATURES - Visual deadline system—tasks fall as time passes - Free positioning—drag tasks anywhere on screen - Urgency indicators—color shifts as deadlines approach - Task details—add optional notes for context - History tracking—see saved and fallen tasks - Import/Export—backup and restore your data - Dark interface—no distractions, just focus DESIGN PHILOSOPHY Most task apps add features. Deadline Zero removes them. What remains is pressure—the good kind. The kind that makes you act. No notifications begging for attention. No gamification. No streaks. Just a simple question every time you open the app: what's about to fall? Built for people who need to feel their deadlines, not just see them.

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
Deadline Zero4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Refocus at Free against Deadline Zero's $1.99. Deadline Zero's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 17) and ads (none vs shown).

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

Refocus is free to download; Deadline Zero costs $1.99 up front. Refocus sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Deadline Zero asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update weekly, Deadline Zero every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Refocus versus Deadline Zero: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusDeadline Zero
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.8 (12K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews93.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12K — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 3 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCZaid Naim

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

Deadline Zero

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
None

Deadline Zero

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Deadline Zero free?
Deadline Zero costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Refocus or Deadline Zero have ads?
Refocus shows ads; Deadline Zero does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or Deadline Zero?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and Deadline Zero every 3 days. Most recently, Refocus was updated on October 20, 2026 and Deadline Zero on October 8, 2026.

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