Comparison

Refocus vs Detachd

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

Detachd

This app locks distracting applications and requires physical exercise, like push-ups or squats, to earn back access. It uses on-device computer vision to track reps, promoting less screen time and more physical activity. Earn minutes by moving first, then unlock your apps.

Highlights
  • App blocking with physical effort unlock
  • On-device rep tracking via computer vision
  • Customizable daily rep targets
  • Multiple exercise options (push-ups, squats, etc.)
  • Streak tracking for consistency
  • Built on Apple's Screen Time framework
Features
Read full description

Your social media isn't free anymore. Detachd locks Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, whichever apps drain your day, and makes you earn back access with your body. Push-ups buy minutes. Squats buy minutes. Walking buys minutes. Move first, unlock later. That's the whole rule. Timers fail because tapping past them is free. Blockers fail because anyone can delete them. Detachd asks for the one thing that can't be cheated: physical effort. The friction is the point. Pick which apps to gate. Set a daily rep target. Start earning. Push-ups, squats, sit-ups, jumping jacks, lunges, walking — six ways to bank minutes. Your iPhone counts every rep on-device with computer vision. No smartwatch, no upload, no shared data. Hit your goal, keep your streak. Two things happen at once: the hours you used to feed your phone come back to your real life, and the body that sat still through all that scrolling starts moving again. Less screen, more strength. Built on Apple's Screen Time framework. Selections, reps, and unlock history all stay on your phone. Forget discipline. You need friction. Detachd is a subscription-based app. An active subscription is required to lock apps and earn screen time. Detachd Pro — auto-renewing subscription, Weekly and Yearly tiers available. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless it is cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period at the same tier price. Manage or cancel your subscription anytime in iPhone Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions Privacy Policy: https://apponeinc.com/detachd/privacy.html Terms of Use: https://apponeinc.com/detachd/terms.html

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
Detachd4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Refocus at free with in-app purchases against Detachd's subscription. Refocus also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (12K vs 5). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 Detachd sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 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 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Refocus has 12K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update weekly, Detachd every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Refocus versus Detachd: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusDetachd
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings) — better4.4 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews93.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12K — better5
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 5 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB59 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCApp One Dijital Hizmetler Anonim Sirketi

Customer experience

Refocus

All ratings11,541 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral1.9%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews2,219 reviews
Positive93.0%
Neutral3.0%
Negative4.0%

Detachd

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
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

Detachd

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
4 purchases

Detachd

Subscriptions4
  • Detachd Weekly$6.997 Days
  • Detachd Weekly Free Trial3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Detachd Annual$49.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Detachd Annual - Free Trial7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Detachd free?
Detachd is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Refocus or Detachd?
Refocus is rated higher. Refocus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Detachd averages 4.4 from 5 ratings.
Do Refocus or Detachd have ads?
Both Refocus and Detachd show ads.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or Detachd?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and Detachd every 5 days. Most recently, Refocus was updated on October 24, 2026 and Detachd on October 17, 2026.

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