Comparison

Refocus vs App Blocker

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

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.

Highlights
  • 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 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

Refocus4 screens
App Blocker3 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update weekly, App Blocker every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Refocus versus App Blocker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusApp Blocker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews93.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12K — better4
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#196 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCYUNFEI XU

Customer experience

Refocus

All ratings11,734 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral1.9%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews2,242 reviews
Positive93.0%
Neutral2.9%
Negative4.1%

App Blocker

All ratings4 ratings
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

App Blocker

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
None

App Blocker

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is App Blocker free?
App Blocker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Refocus or App Blocker?
App Blocker is rated higher. Refocus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while App Blocker averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Refocus or App Blocker have ads?
Refocus shows ads; App Blocker does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or App Blocker?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and App Blocker every 3 months. Most recently, Refocus was updated on October 28, 2026 and App Blocker on October 24, 2026.

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