Comparison

Refocus vs DoomScroll

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

DoomScroll

Read full description

You open Instagram to check one notification. 45 minutes later, you're deep in Reels. TikTok was supposed to be "just 5 minutes." YouTube autoplay has you watching your 8th video. X keeps pulling you back into threads. DoomScroll Blocker stops the cycle - not by locking you out, but by making you pause at the right moment. Then it gives you something better to do: breathe, meditate, or start a focus session. BLOCK THE DOOM SCROLL - Pick the apps you doom scroll most - Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, Reddit, anything - Set a daily time limit (15 seconds to 30 minutes) - You can choose to set a physical activity like flipping the phone or walk 30 steps or choose no activity. - If no activity is selected then we will send a notification when you hit your limit and a full-screen shield appears - Choose to walk away (rescue) or continue (bypass) - your stats track both honestly - On your block screen instead choose the notification which will take you to breathe, meditate, or enter deep-study mode. - If you had selected a physical activity you need to select the physical activity to unlock the app or you can choose to walk away. - If you choose to 'Start Activity' we will send you a notification clicking on which you will have to perform the selected activity. - Every rescue adds to your Time Saved counter. Every bypass is recorded too. No judgment - just awareness. BREATHE & MEDITATE - 5 breathing patterns including 4-7-8, Box Breathing, and Physiological Sigh - Guided meditation with ambient sounds and nature audio - Import your own meditation music - Build a daily mindfulness streak - morning reminders keep you on track DEEP FOCUS SESSIONS - Study timer with ambient focus music - custom time setting - Track your focus hours, sessions, and streaks over time - Perfect for study sessions, deep work, or reading time - block your apps while studying PROTECT YOUR SLEEP - Focus Shield schedules a hard block during bedtime - no bypass option - Apps are completely inaccessible during the window you set - Challenge word prevents accidental disabling - End the 2 AM doom scroll for good Rituals - Create custom rituals like morning breathing or evening meditation. - Set your desired music and time of the day - select reminders (you can select multiple reminders) TRACK YOUR PROGRESS - Willpower Score: a weekly rating out of 100 based on rescues vs. bypasses - Time Saved counter: see the hours you've reclaimed from social media - Monthly report card (A+ to F) with composite scoring across willpower, mindfulness, and focus - Hourly heatmap reveals your peak scrolling hours - Per-app breakdown showing exactly which apps steal your time - Personal records: longest streak, best day, best week Share your mindful activities - Now introducing sharable cards with your progress - Upload a photo and see your stats imprinted on the image. WIDGETS & NOTIFICATIONS - Lock screen and home screen widgets - Mindful streak widget to stay accountable - Daily summary, weekly recap, and morning mindful reminders - Streak milestone celebrations FREE vs PRO Free: Block 1 app, 2 breathing patterns, basic meditation, 10-15 min study sessions, widgets, tips, per-app insights, heatmap, monthly reports, Willpower Score, 1 ritual and 1 reminder Pro: Unlimited apps + categories, 5 breathing patterns, all meditation sounds, extended durations, Focus Shield, audio import, deep study sessions, block apps during study, unlimited rituals and reminders Built with Apple's Screen Time APIs (FamilyControls, ManagedSettings, DeviceActivity) for reliable, privacy-first app blocking. All data stays on your device. No accounts. No tracking. Start your 3-day free trial and see how much time you can take back. Terms of Use: https://pale-dime-1f2.notion.site/Support-Terms-of-Use-3174df1c2b7c807fb030d0cac314b85f Privacy Policy: https://pale-dime-1f2.notion.site/Privacy-Policy-3264df1c2b7c80caa575fa64b65cdfe1

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
DoomScroll4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: DoomScroll at none against Refocus's shown. On price, update cadence, 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 12 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and DoomScroll sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Refocus versus DoomScroll: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusDoomScroll
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews93.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12K — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB217 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCNeeta Joshi

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

DoomScroll

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 Year trial2 variants$49.991 Year
  • Refocus Pro1 Month trial2 variants$49.991 Year
  • Refocus Pro7 Days trial2 variants$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
2 purchases

DoomScroll

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly3 Days trial$34.991 Year

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DoomScroll free?
DoomScroll is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Refocus or DoomScroll have ads?
Refocus shows ads; DoomScroll does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or DoomScroll?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and DoomScroll weekly. Most recently, Refocus was updated on October 17, 2026 and DoomScroll on October 10, 2026.

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