Refocus vs Pause Mindful Screen Time
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
Pause Mindful Screen Time
This app helps you create intentional breaks before accessing distracting applications. Set intentions and activate pauses to foster a calmer phone experience. It offers a temporary unlock for immediate needs without penalties.
- Intentional breaks before app access
- Customizable app protection
- Save intentions for mindful use
- 5-minute temporary unlocks
- No account or backend required
- Ad-free and analytics-free
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Pause puts a brief, deliberate interruption between you and the distracting apps you choose. Choose individual apps, then choose Manual to keep Pause on until you turn it off, or Scheduled for recurring days and times. When Pause is active, opening a paused app gives you a moment to decide: stay paused or unpause it for five minutes. Insights reflects Screen Time data already on your iPhone, with an optional weekly Check-in to notice how your phone use felt. Pause is local-first: no account, backend, ads, or analytics. Your paused apps, intentions, schedules, check-ins, and Screen Time data stay on your iPhone.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pause Mindful Screen Time at none against Refocus's 17. Pause Mindful Screen Time also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Refocus's advantage is ratings volume (12K vs 1) and update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly). On price, review sentiment, 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
Both are free to download. Refocus sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Pause Mindful Screen Time asks for nothing beyond the download.
Pause Mindful Screen Time 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 1, 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 Pause Mindful Screen Time's.
Refocus ships an update weekly, Pause Mindful Screen Time fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Refocus | Pause Mindful Screen Time |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (12K ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 93.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 12K — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Fortnightly |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Labi, LLC | Peter Lebo |
Customer experience
Refocus
Pause Mindful Screen Time
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
Pause Mindful Screen Time
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
Pause Mindful Screen Time
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Refocus free?
Is Pause Mindful Screen Time free?
Which has better reviews, Refocus or Pause Mindful Screen Time?
Do Refocus or Pause Mindful Screen Time have ads?
Which is updated more often, Refocus or Pause Mindful Screen Time?
Other comparisons
