Comparison

Refocus vs Somehow Growing

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

Somehow Growing

Features
Read full description

Miss a day. Keep growing. Somehow Growing is a calm habit tracker for imperfect weeks. Choose one small action, see what you did, and come back when life interrupts. MAKE TODAY SIMPLE Create unlimited habits, choose a schedule, and record a completion or an amount. Keep reminders optional and make your next action easy to find. GROW AT YOUR OWN PACE Choose Moss, Seed or Ember for gentle, clear or energetic support. Your companion's earned Growth stays with you through quieter weeks. Different personalities change the tone, not your progress. SEE USEFUL PROGRESS Explore your history, Momentum and your current Monthly Recap. Notice what is working without turning every missed day into a fresh start. FREE, WITHOUT THE PRESSURE Track unlimited habits offline without an account. Use basic reminders, data export and optional App Lock. No ads. Product analytics and crash diagnostics are separate, optional choices and start off. OPTIONAL PRO Sign in to unlock Pro with a monthly or annual subscription. Back up and restore supported habit history, explore 30-, 90- and 365-day reports and past Recaps, and choose premium themes and companion environments. Completion reflections remain device-only and are included in your local data export. Both plans unlock the same Pro features. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled through your App Store subscription settings. Prices and billing periods appear before purchase. Annual subscriptions are billed upfront. There is no free trial or lifetime plan at launch. Support: https://somehowgrowing.com/support Privacy: https://somehowgrowing.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://somehowgrowing.com/terms

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
Somehow Growing4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Somehow Growing at none against Refocus's shown. Somehow Growing also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Refocus sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Somehow Growing sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update weekly, Somehow Growing every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Refocus versus Somehow Growing: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusSomehow Growing
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews93.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12K — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 2 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB76 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLabi, LLCManish Kumar

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

Somehow Growing

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
2 purchases

Somehow Growing

Subscriptions2
  • Somehow Growing Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Somehow Growing Pro Annual$14.991 Year

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Somehow Growing free?
Somehow Growing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Refocus or Somehow Growing have ads?
Refocus shows ads; Somehow Growing does not.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or Somehow Growing?
Refocus ships an update weekly, and Somehow Growing every 2 days. Most recently, Refocus was updated on November 2, 2026 and Somehow Growing on October 26, 2026.

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