Comparison

Refocus vs Sqroll

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

Sqroll

This app blocks distracting applications until you complete a set number of squats, tracked by your phone's camera. It aims to help users reduce screen time and increase physical activity by linking app access to exercise. Earn screen time by moving your body and build healthy habits.

Highlights
  • AI-powered squat detection
  • App blocking
  • Customizable goals
  • Streak tracking
  • Progress statistics
  • Shareable progress cards
Features
Read full description

Sqroll turns screen time into something you earn — by living well. Instead of another app that just blocks you, Sqroll gives your scroll a price: the apps that steal your time open to a shield, not a feed. To get back in, you earn it — and every way in makes you healthier. EARN THROUGH A LIFESTYLE Connect Apple Health and your healthy habits become your fuel: • Real workouts earn scroll time minute-for-minute • A 10,000-step day drops a bonus into your balance • Fall asleep by your target bedtime and wake up to more time Prefer to earn on the spot? Do a few squats — the camera counts your reps, no equipment needed. Unused minutes roll over to tomorrow, so you can bank ahead. STAY IN CONTROL A live budget tank shows exactly where your day is going — calm green to over-the-line red — so you always know where you stand. GROW, DON'T ROT When the itch to scroll hits, micro-learn instead. The Learn feed is the good part of a feed with none of the brainrot: mind-bending facts, cultures from around the world, and book summaries you can finish in minutes. MEET BUN Your accountability pet thrives when you move and fades when you scroll — your habits, made impossible to ignore. GO DEEPER • Deep Focus sessions you can't quit early • Hard Mode — apps stay locked, only real effort unlocks them • Streaks, freezes, and weekly & monthly wrapped reports PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your pose data is processed on-device. Health data is used only to credit your scroll time. Scroll less. Know more. Sqroll is a healthier way to be. Privacy Policy: https://sqroll.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
Sqroll4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Refocus at 4.8 against Sqroll's 3.0. Refocus also leads on ratings volume (12K vs 2). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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 and Sqroll sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. 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 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Refocus has 12K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 93% of Refocus's written reviews are positive against 100% of Sqroll's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update weekly, Sqroll every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Refocus versus Sqroll: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusSqroll
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews92.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12K — better2
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.4
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB95 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCAyaan Majeed

Customer experience

Refocus

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

Sqroll

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
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

Sqroll

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
3 purchases

Sqroll

Subscriptions3
  • Sqroll (Monthly)3 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Sqroll (1 Year Special Offer)$14.991 Year
  • Sqroll (1 Year)3 Days trial$24.991 Year

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Sqroll free?
Sqroll is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Refocus or Sqroll?
Refocus is rated higher. Refocus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Sqroll averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Refocus or Sqroll have ads?
Both Refocus and Sqroll show ads.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or Sqroll?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and Sqroll every 2 weeks. Most recently, Refocus was updated on November 10, 2026 and Sqroll on October 31, 2026.

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