Comparison

Refocus vs TakeTime

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

TakeTime

This app helps you avoid distractions by requiring a brief learning activity before accessing blocked apps. You can create custom learning modules from PDFs and images, or use pre-made content to stay focused and productive.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps
  • Complete learning activities
  • Create custom study modules
  • Convert PDFs to learning content
  • Simple and fast UI
  • Designed for focus
Features
Read full description

Study before you scroll. TakeTime blocks distracting apps and makes you complete a quick study question before you can keep using them. Trying to stop wasting time on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or games? TakeTime helps turn those moments into SAT prep, AP review, LeetCode practice, flashcards, or questions from your own class materials. Perfect for SAT prep AP exam review LeetCode and coding interviews College classes High school courses Language learning Flashcards Quiz practice PDF study guides Lecture slides and notes How TakeTime helps Block distracting apps Choose the apps you want to limit using Apple Screen Time. Answer before unlocking When you hit your limit, TakeTime gives you a short learning activity before you can continue. Learn in quick reps Read a short explanation, answer a quiz, review a flashcard, or practice a question in under a minute. Upload your own material Add PDFs, notes, screenshots, slides, and worksheets. TakeTime turns them into quizzes and study modules. Share PDFs into TakeTime Send study materials from Files, Safari, Google Drive, Canvas, Notion, or other apps using the iOS Share Sheet. Stay consistent TakeTime helps you study during the moments when you normally get distracted. Examples Review SAT grammar before opening TikTok Answer an AP Bio question before scrolling Instagram Practice a LeetCode pattern before watching YouTube Review lecture slides before opening Snapchat Turn a PDF study guide into quick quiz questions Privacy TakeTime uses Apple’s Screen Time API. App blocking runs on your device, and your browsing history never leaves your phone. Uploads are processed to generate questions and learning cards. Screen Time permission is required for app blocking. All features described require a subscription. Terms of Service: https://taketime.app/terms.html Support: https://www.taketime.app/support.html Privacy Policy: https://www.taketime.app/privacy.html

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
TakeTime4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Refocus at free with in-app purchases against TakeTime's subscription. Refocus also leads on ratings volume (12K vs 20) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). TakeTime's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and device support 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 13 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and TakeTime sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. 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 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Refocus has 12K ratings behind it against 20, 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 TakeTime'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, TakeTime fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Refocus versus TakeTime: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusTakeTime
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings) — better4.5 (20 ratings)
Positive reviews93.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12K — better20
Update frequencyWeekly — betterFortnightly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCTenille Hyun

Customer experience

Refocus

All ratings11,734 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral1.9%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews2,242 reviews
Positive93.0%
Neutral2.9%
Negative4.1%

TakeTime

All ratings20 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative5.0%
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

TakeTime

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
6 purchases

TakeTime

Subscriptions5
  • TakeTime Pro Weekly Discount$4.997 Days
  • TakeTime Pro Monthly$9.991 Month
  • TakeTime Pro Weekly3 Days trial$9.997 Days
Show 2 more
  • TakeTime Pro Yearly Discount3 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • TakeTime Pro Yearly3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • 5 Upload Credits$2.99

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TakeTime free?
TakeTime is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Refocus or TakeTime?
Refocus is rated higher. Refocus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while TakeTime averages 4.5 from 20 ratings.
Do Refocus or TakeTime have ads?
Refocus shows ads; TakeTime does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or TakeTime?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and TakeTime fortnightly. Most recently, Refocus was updated on October 28, 2026 and TakeTime on October 24, 2026.

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