# Refocus vs DrillLock

The clearest difference is ads: DrillLock at none against Refocus's shown. DrillLock also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Refocus's advantage is ratings volume (12K vs 1). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Refocus sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and DrillLock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

DrillLock holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Refocus has 12K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Refocus ships an update weekly, DrillLock every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Refocus | DrillLock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (12K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/refocus-app-blocker-and-lock/id1645639057/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drilllock-math-app-blocker/id6759181330/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **12K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 93.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 51 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Labi, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/455469767) | [FRONTLINE LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1877229947) |

## What reviewers say

### Refocus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/refocus-app-blocker-and-lock/id1645639057)

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:** Safari Extension, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refocus Pro | $7.99 | per month |
| Refocus Pro | $8.99 | per month |
| Refocus Pro | $9.99 | per month |
| Refocus Pro (Family) | $12.99 | per month |
| Refocus Pro | $49.99 | per year |
| Refocus Pro | $49.99 | per year |
| Refocus Pro | $49.99 | per year |
| Refocus Pro | $49.99 | per year |
| Refocus Pro | $59.99 | per year |
| Reset Strict Mode | $1.00 | one-time |
| Reset Strict Mode | $5.00 | one-time |
| Reset Strict Mode | $10.00 | one-time |
| Reset Strict Mode | $50.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to set up and use
- 🚀 Effective at blocking distractions
- 💡 Customizable blocking schedules
- 🔒 Prevents mindless scrolling
- 🚀 Improved productivity and focus

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
- 🔓 Too easy to bypass the blocking
- 💰 Some features require paid subscription
- 🔓 Ability to delete app and remove restrictions

**Reported bugs**

- Blocking issues after phone restart
- Inconsistent behavior when pausing/unpausing sessions
- Crashing when trying to block apps in certain categories

**Requested features**

- 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


### DrillLock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drilllock-math-app-blocker/id6759181330)

This app requires users to solve a math problem before accessing distracting applications, helping to create focused study sessions. It offers scheduled blocking, usage limits, and temporary unlocks for essential apps. A pro subscription unlocks advanced features for serious learners.

**Highlights:** Math challenge to unlock apps, Scheduled app blocking, Usage limit blocking, Temporary unlocks, Essential app exceptions, Multiple rule support (Pro)

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DrillLock PRO Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| DrillLock PRO Yearly | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Refocus free?

Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is DrillLock free?

DrillLock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Refocus or DrillLock?

DrillLock is rated higher. Refocus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while DrillLock averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Refocus or DrillLock have ads?

Refocus shows ads; DrillLock does not.

### Which is updated more often, Refocus or DrillLock?

Refocus ships an update weekly, and DrillLock every 5 days. Most recently, Refocus was updated on October 21, 2026 and DrillLock on October 13, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*