Comparison

Refocus vs Twilock

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

Twilock

This app helps you reclaim your nights and mornings by blocking distracting apps during specific, customizable windows. Build streaks, earn badges, and track your reclaimed time privately. Connect with friends for accountability.

Highlights
  • Customizable app blocking windows
  • Streak building and rewards
  • Reclaimed time tracking
  • Friend accountability leaderboard
  • Private data handling
  • Optional Pro features
Read full description

You do not decide to scroll until 1 am. It just happens. Twilock shields the apps that pull you in during the two windows that cost you most: the hours right before sleep, and the ones right after waking. Pick the apps. Pick your window. Twilock handles the rest, so there is no willpower contest and no bargaining with yourself at 11 pm. Choose apps to shield and set Night and Morning windows of 15–120 minutes. Schedule the same times every day, separate weekdays and weekends, or custom days. Every enabled routine uses Strict Mode: routine settings are locked during active windows. Configure a timed early unlock before a window starts; choosing None disables that option. Revoking Screen Time access in iOS can end protection. Build streaks, earn badges and explore Insights. Optional Friends lets you connect by invite code and follow a shared leaderboard. New users need a monthly or annual subscription, or an eligible trial. Existing users retain permanent full access, and existing Lifetime purchases remain supported. Prices and trial eligibility appear before purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage subscriptions in your App Store account. Restore Purchases is available in the app. Selected app identities and raw Screen Time usage stay on your device. Optional account, progress and friend data can sync. Product analytics and purchase services support the app; tracking permission is optional. Read the privacy policy for details. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://twilock.com/privacy/

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
Twilock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Twilock at none against Refocus's shown. Refocus's advantage is ratings volume (12K vs 25). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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 Twilock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Refocus against 4.9 for Twilock. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Refocus has 12K ratings behind it against 25, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 93% of Refocus's written reviews are positive against 100% of Twilock's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Refocus versus Twilock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusTwilock
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings)4.9 (25 ratings) — better
Positive reviews93.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12K — better25
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB69 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCPrism Studios

Customer experience

Refocus

All ratings11,541 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral1.9%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews2,219 reviews
Positive93.0%
Neutral3.0%
Negative4.0%

Twilock

All ratings25 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews22 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

Twilock

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
3 purchases

Twilock

Subscriptions2
  • Twilock Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Twilock Pro Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Twilock Lifetime$79.99

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Twilock free?
Twilock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Refocus or Twilock?
Twilock is rated higher. Refocus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Twilock averages 4.9 from 25 ratings.
Do Refocus or Twilock have ads?
Refocus shows ads; Twilock does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or Twilock?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and Twilock weekly. Most recently, Refocus was updated on October 20, 2026 and Twilock on October 19, 2026.

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