Comparison

Refocus vs Bloq

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Refocus

This tool helps you regain control of your screen time by blocking distracting apps and websites. It offers customizable schedules, strict modes to prevent bypass, and analytics to track your usage. Available on iPhone and Mac.

Highlights
  • Block apps and websites
  • Strict mode with multiple bypass prevention methods
  • Customizable blocking schedules and timers
  • Location-based blocking
  • Screen time analytics
  • Mac 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

Bloq

Regain control of your time and attention with this physical device and app combination. Block distracting apps and notifications to focus on work, study, or family time. Customize blocking for different moments and create the space you need to be present.

Highlights
  • Customizable modes for different moments
  • Whitelist or blacklist apps and websites
  • Automatic routines based on schedule
  • Adult content filtering
  • Unbreakable blocking with emergency unlocks
  • Session history and progress tracking
  • Cross-device synchronization
Read full description

En un mundo diseñado para distraerte, Bloq te devuelve el control. Apoyás tu celular sobre Bloq y las apps y notificaciones que te distraen se bloquean. El control de tu tiempo y atención vuelve a estar en tus manos. Bloq no es otra app de "fuerza de voluntad". Es un dispositivo físico con NFC combinado con una app. Vos decidís qué bloquear, cuándo y por cuánto tiempo. Trabajá, estudiá, cenás con tu familia. Bloq se adapta a cada momento y crea el espacio que necesitás para estar presente. CÓMO FUNCIONA 1. Elegí qué apps, categorías o sitios web querés bloquear. 2. Apoyá tu celular sobre Bloq. 3. Las distracciones se desactivan hasta que apoyes tu celular de nuevo. FUNCIONES - Modos personalizables para distintos momentos (trabajo, estudio, familia). - Permitir o bloquear: whitelist o blacklist, vos decidís. - Rutinas automáticas en los horarios que programes. - Filtro de contenido para adultos durante las sesiones. - Bloqueo inrompible: no podés desinstalar la app para bypassear. - 5 desbloqueos de emergencia por mes. - Historial de sesiones y progreso. - Sincronización entre dispositivos. IDEAL PARA Estudiantes, profesionales, creativos, padres presentes, y cualquier persona que sienta que el teléfono los tiene a ellos, y no al revés. REQUIERE DISPOSITIVO BLOQ FÍSICO Adquirilo en getbloq.co PRIVACIDAD Bloq no rastrea qué apps usás. Más info en https://getbloq.co/pages/legal#garantia Soporte: soporte.getbloq@gmail.com

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
Bloq4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Bloq at none against Refocus's 10. Bloq also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Refocus's advantage is ratings volume (12K vs 1) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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 7 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Bloq asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Bloq 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. Written reviews point the same way: 93% of Refocus's written reviews are positive against 100% of Bloq's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update weekly, Bloq fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Refocus versus Bloq: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusBloq
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews92.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12K — better1
Update frequencyWeekly — betterFortnightly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB54 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCMatias Freije

Customer experience

Refocus

All ratings11,824 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral2.0%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews2,248 reviews
Positive92.9%
Neutral2.9%
Negative4.1%

Bloq

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
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

Bloq

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Refocus

Subscriptions7
  • Refocus Pro3 Days trial2 variants$7.991 Month
  • Refocus Pro3 Days trial$8.991 Month
  • Refocus Pro3 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • Refocus Pro$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
None

Bloq

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bloq free?
Bloq is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Refocus or Bloq?
Bloq is rated higher. Refocus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Bloq averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Refocus or Bloq have ads?
Refocus shows ads; Bloq does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or Bloq?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and Bloq fortnightly. Most recently, Refocus was updated on November 6, 2026 and Bloq on November 5, 2026.

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