Refocus vs App Blocker
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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
App Blocker
This app helps you focus by blocking distracting applications and websites with a single tap. Set a timer, and access returns automatically when it's up. An optional tap challenge adds friction for early unlocks.
- One-tap blocking for distracting apps
- Custom focus durations
- Automatic unblock when time is up
- Tap challenge for early unlocks
- Private by design
- Built with Apple’s Screen Time controls
Read full descriptionHide full description
Bricked is a one-tap app blocker and focus timer for moments when your phone needs to get out of the way. Pick a duration, tap once, and Bricked shields distracting apps and sites on this device using Apple’s Screen Time controls. When the timer ends, access returns automatically. Need to unlock early? Make it intentional. Bricked turns early unlocks into a tap challenge: one tap for every second remaining. If there are 10 minutes left, that means 600 taps. You can stop the challenge any time and keep your apps blocked. No app lists to build. No schedules to maintain. No accounts, analytics, or tracking. Just a clean timer, a clear block, and a little friction when you are tempted to bail early. Use Bricked for deep work, studying, reading, bedtime, workouts, meals, meetings, or any break where you want your phone quiet. Features: - One-tap blocking for distracting apps - Custom focus durations - Automatic unblock when time is up - Tap challenge for early unlocks - Simple progress ring and countdown - Private by design: no accounts, no tracking - Built with Apple’s Screen Time controls Bricked is designed for personal focus and self-control. It is not a parental monitoring app and does not track what you do.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: App Blocker at none against Refocus's 17. App Blocker also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Refocus's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (12K vs 4). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. Refocus sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. App Blocker asks for nothing beyond the download.
App Blocker 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 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Refocus ships an update weekly, App Blocker every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Refocus | App Blocker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (12K ratings) | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 93.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 12K — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #196 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Labi, LLC | YUNFEI XU |
Customer experience
Refocus
App Blocker
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
App Blocker
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Refocus
- Refocus Pro3 Days trial2 variants$7.991 Month
- Refocus Pro3 Days trial$8.991 Month
- Refocus Pro3 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- 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
- Reset Strict Mode$1.00
- Reset Strict Mode$5.00
- Reset Strict Mode$10.00
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Reset Strict Mode$50.00
App Blocker
No in-app purchases









