# Refocus vs Twilock

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.

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.

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.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Refocus | Twilock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (12K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/refocus-app-blocker-and-lock/id1645639057/reviews) | **[4.9 (25 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/twilock-screen-time-control/id6786474238/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **12K** | 25 |
| Positive reviews | 93.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 51 MB | 69 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Labi, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/455469767) | [Prism Studios](https://appshunter.io/developer/6786474240) |

## What reviewers say

### Refocus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/refocus-app-blocker-and-lock/id1645639057)

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:** Safari Extension, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refocus Pro | $7.99 | per month |
| Refocus Pro | $8.99 | per month |
| Refocus Pro | $9.99 | per month |
| Refocus Pro (Family) | $12.99 | per month |
| Refocus Pro | $49.99 | per year |
| Refocus Pro | $49.99 | per year |
| Refocus Pro | $49.99 | per year |
| Refocus Pro | $49.99 | per year |
| Refocus Pro | $59.99 | per year |
| Reset Strict Mode | $1.00 | one-time |
| Reset Strict Mode | $5.00 | one-time |
| Reset Strict Mode | $10.00 | one-time |
| Reset Strict Mode | $50.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to set up and use
- 🚀 Effective at blocking distractions
- 💡 Customizable blocking schedules
- 🔒 Prevents mindless scrolling
- 🚀 Improved productivity and focus

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
- 🔓 Too easy to bypass the blocking
- 💰 Some features require paid subscription
- 🔓 Ability to delete app and remove restrictions

**Reported bugs**

- Blocking issues after phone restart
- Inconsistent behavior when pausing/unpausing sessions
- Crashing when trying to block apps in certain categories

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/twilock-screen-time-control/id6786474238)

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Twilock Pro Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Twilock Pro Annual | $39.99 | per year |
| Twilock Lifetime | $79.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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 21, 2026 and Twilock on October 19, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*