Comparison

SocialFocus vs BookNotes

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SocialFocus

Take back control of your attention by selectively hiding distracting elements on popular social media and video websites. Customize your browsing experience by concealing feeds, recommendations, shorts, and more. A PRO version offers advanced features for dedicated users.

Highlights
  • Hide feed, shorts, and related videos
  • Block comments and other elements
  • Customizable settings per site
  • Startup settings
  • Import/Export settings
  • Hotkey configuration (PRO)
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Hide distractions on websites such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, LinkedIn, Gmail and take back control of your attention! While we acknowledge the distracting and engrossing nature of these sites, completely blocking them is not always feasible due to the valuable content they offer. This Safari extension allows you to selectively hide attention-grabbing components on each site. For instance, on YouTube, you have the option to conceal recommended videos, shorts, comments, and more. Similarly, on Facebook and Instagram, you can hide the feed, reels, stories, and other elements. The same goes for each supported site. Furthermore, SocialFocus offers an array of supplementary features, including Startup Settings, Import / Export and more. Users who want to support the development of the project can additionally subscribe to the PRO version. The PRO version will give access to some additional features that are not available in the standard version, such as hotkey configuration, settings synchronization and some others. NOTE: This extension does NOT work with the apps, it works only for websites while using the Safari browser. Terms Of Use: https://socialfocus.app/tos/

About

BookNotes

Features
Read full description

BookNotes helps you turn reading into real learning. Capture voice or text notes as you read, then transform them into clear summaries, patterns, and insights you can actually use. Instead of forgetting what you read, BookNotes helps you connect ideas across books and build knowledge that compounds over time. --- CAPTURE IDEAS AS YOU READ • Record quick voice notes (up to 90 seconds) • Write text notes on the go • No friction, no heavy organisation --- TURN NOTES INTO INSIGHTS • Automatic summaries for every note • See recurring themes across books • Generate insights from everything you’ve read • Ask follow-up questions to explore deeper --- BUILD KNOWLEDGE THAT COMPOUNDS • Connect ideas across multiple books • Spot patterns you’d otherwise miss • Turn scattered notes into structured thinking --- DESIGNED FOR REAL READING • Simple, distraction-free experience • Works alongside your reading habit • No complicated systems to maintain --- FREE TRIAL Start with a 7-day free trial. Upgrade to Pro for unlimited notes, more insights, and extended voice recording. --- SUBSCRIPTION BookNotes Pro unlocks the full experience: • Unlimited notes • Up to 200 voice minutes per month • 30 insight sessions per month • Export your notes Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. --- Whether you read for growth, business, or curiosity, BookNotes helps you turn what you read into something you won't forget. --- Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

SocialFocus4 screens
BookNotes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: BookNotes at Free against SocialFocus's $4.99. SocialFocus's advantage is chart position (#41 vs unranked) and device support (4 vs 1). On ads and in-app purchases 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

BookNotes is free to download; SocialFocus costs $4.99 up front. SocialFocus sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and BookNotes sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
SocialFocus versus BookNotes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSocialFocusBookNotes
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (314 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews58.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings314 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#41 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.4 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYevhen TretiakovAaron Vale

Bugs and requests

SocialFocus

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Instagram suggested posts not getting blocked
  • Facebook feed not loading properly with extension enabled
  • YouTube Shorts still visible in recommendations
  • LinkedIn promoted posts no longer getting blocked

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add more options to block specific features on TikTok
  • Ability to block open in app requests for Instagram
  • Option to grayscale sites for less distraction
  • Add support for more social media platforms (e.g. Discord, BlueSky)
  • Ability to schedule social media blocks
Show 1 more
  • Sync settings across devices and profiles

BookNotes

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

SocialFocus

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Yearly3 Days trial$35.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$79.99
2 purchases

BookNotes

Subscriptions2
  • BookNotes Pro Monthly$9.991 Month
  • BookNotes Pro Yearly$79.001 Year

Questions

Is SocialFocus free?
SocialFocus costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is BookNotes free?
BookNotes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SocialFocus or BookNotes have ads?
Neither SocialFocus nor BookNotes shows ads.

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