Comparison

Refocus vs App Lock Timer

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 Lock Timer

Features
Read full description

App Block Timer Block distracting apps and websites for the time you choose. Make room for studying, work, reading, and creative projects. Need to focus now? Start a timer from 5 minutes to 24 hours. Want to build a routine? Set a start time for each day of the week, and blocking will begin automatically. 【Key Features】 ■ Weekly automatic blocking Set a start time for each day. The free version offers 60-minute locks. With Pro, choose from 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, or 300 minutes. ■ Lock now or choose a time Start a lock immediately or schedule one for a time that works for you. ■ Block apps, categories, and websites Choose the social media, video, gaming, and other distractions you want to limit. ■ Stay with your commitment Once a lock starts, it continues until its scheduled end, making it harder to give in to distractions on impulse. ■ Add to Calendar Add your weekly lock times to Apple Calendar as recurring events. 【Great for anyone who wants to】 ・Stop opening social media out of habit ・Make time to focus on work or study ・Keep up a study routine ・Use their phone more intentionally Start with five focused minutes today. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://note.com/kazu_bigbridge/n/n87bfa4b49533

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
App Lock Timer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: App Lock Timer at none against Refocus's shown. Refocus's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.5). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Refocus sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and App Lock Timer sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update weekly, App Lock Timer every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Refocus versus App Lock Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusApp Lock Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews93.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12K — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 4 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCkazutoshi Ohashi

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 Lock Timer

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
1 purchases

App Lock Timer

Subscriptions1
  • Nuclear Focus Pro$4.991 Month

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is App Lock Timer free?
App Lock Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Refocus or App Lock Timer have ads?
Refocus shows ads; App Lock Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or App Lock Timer?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and App Lock Timer every 4 days. Most recently, Refocus was updated on October 21, 2026 and App Lock Timer on October 6, 2026.

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