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
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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
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No subscription. One-time purchase. No ads, no account. App Blocker - Locked helps you step away from apps with one tap. Choose how long you want to focus, start a session, and let Screen Time block apps until it ends. Want to stop early? Complete the tap challenge. FOCUS YOUR WAY • Start a focus session with one tap • Choose a preset or set a custom duration • Make early exits take effort with a tap challenge • Review your completed sessions in session history • Optionally keep up to 50 selected apps available during focus HOW IT WORKS Grant Screen Time access. Choose a session duration. Tap to start focusing. Your session data stays on your device. App Blocker - Locked doesn’t require an account or track you. The optional Allowed Apps feature is a one-time purchase with no subscription. It lets you choose individual apps to keep available during a focus session. Website restrictions still apply. App Blocker - Locked helps you create boundaries with apps, one session at a time.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: App Blocker at none against Refocus's shown. App Blocker also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Refocus's advantage is ratings volume (12K vs 4). 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
Both are free to download. Refocus sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and App Blocker sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
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 11 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.
| 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 11 days |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — 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
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- 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
- Premium$2.99
