Refocus vs AppLimit
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! ▶ 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
AppLimit
This app enforces strict daily usage limits on selected applications or categories. Once a time limit is reached, access is blocked without any exceptions or extensions, helping users break habits and establish real boundaries.
- Set daily usage limits for apps/categories
- Blocks access automatically when time limit is reached
- No override, snooze, or grace periods
- Minimal setup and clean interface
- On-device only, no accounts or tracking
- Utilizes Apple Screen Time APIs for true hard stops
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AppLimit enforces app limits - without loopholes. Choose apps or categories and set a daily usage limit. When the limit is reached, access is blocked until the next reset. No “Ignore for 15 minutes.” No extensions. No exceptions. How it works: • Select the apps you want to limit • Set a daily time limit • AppLimit blocks access automatically when time is up AppLimit is intentionally opinionated. If you want reminders or flexible limits, this app is not for you. Why AppLimit? • True hard stops using Apple Screen Time APIs • No override buttons • No snooze or grace periods • Minimal setup, clean interface • On-device only - no accounts, no tracking Ideal for reducing social media overuse, breaking habits, and enforcing real boundaries. Set the limit. When time is up, it’s done. Legal and Regulatory In-app purchases and subscriptions are governed by Apple´s standard terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Refocus at 93% against AppLimit's 33%. Refocus also leads on rating (4.8 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (11K vs 1). AppLimit's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 12 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and AppLimit sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Refocus holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Refocus has 11K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 93% of Refocus's written reviews are positive against 33% of AppLimit's.
Refocus ships an update weekly, AppLimit every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Refocus | AppLimit |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (11K ratings) — better | 1.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 93.3% of reviews — better | 33.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 11K — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Labi, LLC | Shervin Koushan |
Customer experience
Refocus
AppLimit
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
AppLimit
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 5 moreShow fewer
- 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
- Reset Strict Mode$1.00
- Reset Strict Mode$5.00
- Reset Strict Mode$10.00
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Reset Strict Mode$50.00
AppLimit
- AppLimit Pro$3.997 Days
- AppLimit Pro$99.991 Year
- Unblock one app or category$0.99
- Unblock all apps and categories$9.99
