Comparison

Refocus vs Present

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! ▶ 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

Present

Features
Read full description

Present helps you break the reflex to open distracting apps. Set daily open limits, let Present enforce them with Apple’s Screen Time controls, and stay focused on what matters. Choose the apps that derail your day, cap how many times you can launch them, and get a gentle intervention when you’re done. Limits reset automatically at midnight, so every day starts fresh. Limit app opens, not just minutes: cap daily launches for each app Per-app blocking: only the app that hits its limit is paused, others stay available Temporary access: request short extra time when you truly need it Simple tracking: see usage and limit status at a glance Automatic resets: clean slate every night at midnight Private by design: picks are made with Apple’s Family Controls; app names stay on-device How it works: select apps with Apple’s FamilyActivityPicker, set daily open counts, and let Present block the specific app once the limit is reached. You’ll get interventions that keep you honest without shutting down your whole phone. Works on iPhone and iPad (Screen Time permission required).

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
Present4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Present at none against Refocus's 17. Present also leads on ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, 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 12 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Present asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Refocus versus Present: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusPresent
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (11K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews93.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings11K — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCAndrew Sverdrup

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

Present

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

12 purchases

Refocus

Subscriptions8
  • Refocus Pro3 Days trial2 variants$7.991 Month
  • Refocus Pro3 Days trial$8.991 Month
  • Refocus Pro3 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Refocus Pro (Family)7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Refocus Pro1 Month trial2 variants$49.991 Year
  • Refocus Pro7 Days trial3 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

Present

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Present free?
Present is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Refocus or Present have ads?
Refocus shows ads; Present does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or Present?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and Present weekly. Most recently, Refocus was updated on September 25, 2026 and Present on August 15, 2026.

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