Refocus vs Lerf
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
Lerf
This app helps you regain control of your screen time by blocking distracting applications during specific periods. It offers flexible blocking modes and ambient sounds to support relaxation, study, or sleep. The focus is on protecting your time and peace without intrusive tracking.
- Block distracting apps
- Set custom session timers
- Easy and Strict blocking modes
- Ambient soundscapes
- Designed for minimal interaction
- Protect personal time
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10 minutes on your phone turned into 2 hours. Again. Do Not Disturb stops notifications. Lerf turns your phone back into a tool that supports your goals. HOW IT WORKS Choose apps, set a schedule (optional) or tap start and distracting apps lock down. No streaks. No account. Nothing to check. Flexible Mode lets you end blocking early. Strict Mode keeps your apps blocked until the timer (or schedule) ends. FOR Focus: work or study without negotiating with your phone. Sleep: less scrolling before bed. Family time: set boundaries around distracting apps so family time means actually being together. PRICING Lerf is free to download. Full access is $12.99 a month or $39.99 a year after a 7-day free trial. Cancel anytime in Settings. WHY LERF Our smartphones are our greatest tools and our worst distractions. Lerf's mission is to turn smartphones back into tools, helping people take back control of their time, attention, and technology. PRIVACY Lerf uses Apple's Screen Time framework. Your app choices and usage stay on your phone. Lerf never sees them, and there's no account to create. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://lerfapp.com/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Lerf at none against Refocus's shown. Lerf 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 15). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases 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 7 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Lerf sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Lerf 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 15, 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 Lerf's.
Refocus ships an update weekly, Lerf every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Refocus | Lerf |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (12K ratings) | 5.0 (15 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 92.9% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 12K — better | 15 |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 52 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Labi, LLC | Grant Hergenroeder |
Customer experience
Refocus
Lerf
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
Lerf
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 4 moreShow fewer
- 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
Lerf
- Lerf Weekly$3.997 Days
- Lerf Monthly$12.991 Month
- Lerf Monthly7 Days trial$14.991 Month
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Lerf Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Lerf Yearly14 Days trial$79.991 Year









