Detox vs Samir
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Detox
This app helps you reduce screen time by blocking distracting applications. You can set custom limits for app usage, schedule blocks during specific times, or initiate immediate blocks for deep work. It aims to foster a calmer digital life with less mindless scrolling.
- Consecutive usage limits for apps
- Scheduled blocks with website blocking
- Daily time budgets for apps
- Instant blocking for deep work
- Strict mode to prevent rule changes
- Urgent unblock for emergencies
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Detox helps you cut down your screen time without frustration. You choose the apps and how Detox steps in: when you've been scrolling for too long, at set hours, once your time for the day is used, or right now. Everything you don't pick, like chats, maps or work apps, stays open. Detox is a subscription app, and a subscription is required to use it. Free trials may be available on some plans for eligible new subscribers. Cancel anytime. SESSION LIMITS Most blockers shut down everything. Detox uses consecutive usage limits. You choose the apps. Detox blocks them only after you have been using them continuously for too long, like 15 minutes in a row, then for a short time you pick, like 5 minutes. Quick checks are fine. Long doomscrolling sessions are interrupted. - Set a consecutive usage limit for selected apps - Create several session limits, each with its own apps - Keep access to messages, maps and work tools - Break long scrolling streaks without feeling punished SCHEDULED BLOCKS Create time periods on selected days of the week where distracting apps are automatically blocked. Add websites too. Use schedules to avoid distractions during: - Your mornings - Your evenings and nights - Your daily focus hours Set it once and Detox blocks the apps you choose at the times you choose. DAILY LIMITS Give apps a daily time budget, like 1 hour a day. It's the total that counts, so many short visits add up too. Once it's used, the apps stay blocked until your day starts over, or for a time you choose. Daily limits are available on iOS 17.4 or later. BLOCK NOW Start a Block now when you need deep work. Detox blocks distracting apps right away, for anywhere from 5 minutes to 4 hours, while essential tools stay available. SEE HOW YOUR DAY IS GOING Home shows your screen time today next to your usual, a typical day for you. Switch to only the apps in your blocks, or look back at another day. STAY IN CONTROL - Strict mode: while a rule blocks, you can't change it, delete it or uninstall apps - Unblocks: when you really need an app, a short wait helps you decide. Or set Unblocks to None for your strictest rules - Turn off: stop a rule for a while, for a holiday or a sick day. It turns back on by itself - Urgent unblock: for real emergencies, once every 24 hours MADE TO FIT YOU Light or dark, you choose the look in Settings. Every rule lives on the Blocks page as a card, so you can see what's set up at a glance. WHY DETOX WORKS Detox targets long, mindless sessions instead of every single unlock. This makes control of your screen time sustainable in the long term. - Less frustration - Fewer willpower battles - No uninstalling after two weeks A CALMER DIGITAL LIFE With Detox, you'll enjoy more time for what matters and less mindless scrolling. Take back control of your attention. Start your Detox today. SUBSCRIPTION TERMS Detox is offered as an auto-renewing subscription. Current pricing and any free trial details are shown in the app at the time of purchase, in your local currency. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically at the end of each period unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription at any time in iPhone Settings, then Apple ID, then Subscriptions. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://detox-sarl.notion.site/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://detox-sarl.notion.site/terms-conditions
Samir
This app helps you regain control over your scrolling habits by providing real-time awareness of your screen time. Receive customizable, gentle reminders to stay mindful and break free from endless scrolling, allowing you to use your time more intentionally.
- Real-time scrolling notifications
- Customizable app tracking
- Adjustable reminder frequency
- Privacy-focused, no data collection
- Lightweight and battery-friendly
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Ever found yourself doomscrolling for 1 hour long? You’re not alone losing track of time while scrolling. Samir helps you break free from endless scrolling by making you aware of your screen time in real-time. With gentle, customizable reminders, you’ll stay in control - not your feed. STAY MINDFUL AS YOU SCROLL Social media apps are designed to keep you scrolling endlessly. Samir interrupts the cycle by sending you push notifications while you scroll, reminding you how much time has passed. It’s like a reality check, right when you need it. KEY FEATURES 1. Real-Time Awareness: Get notifications reminding you how long you've been scrolling. No more losing hours to the void. 2. Customizable Alerts: Choose which apps to track and how often you want to be reminded. Stay flexible and in control. 3. Simple & Automatic: No need to check another app. Just set up your preferences, and Samir does the rest. 4. Privacy-First Design: No tracking, no data collection. Your screen time is your business. 5. Lightweight & Battery-Friendly: Works seamlessly in the background without draining your battery. HOW IT WORKS? 1. Select the apps from which you want to track scrolling 2. Set your reminder frequency, every minute by default 3. That’s it! Start scrolling with awareness. We'll send you real-time notifications reminding you how long you've been scrolling. WHY USE SAMIR? We all want to spend our time wisely, but social media makes it easy to lose track. Samir keeps you mindful, helping you scroll with intention instead of habit. Whether you're looking to be more productive, reduce screen time, or just be more present in your life, this app is your secret weapon. Download Samir today and take back control of your time. Terms of Use (EULA): - https://delmaass.com/projects/howlong/terms - https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Some features may require additional purchases.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Samir at none against Detox's shown. Samir also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (63% vs 54%). Detox's advantage is ratings volume (457 vs 1) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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. Detox sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Samir sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Samir holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Detox has 457 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of Detox's written reviews are positive against 63% of Samir's.
Detox ships an update every 8 days, Samir every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Detox | Samir |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (457 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 53.7% of reviews | 63.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 457 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 8 days — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 81 MB | 70 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Detox | Louis Delmas |
Customer experience
Detox
Samir
Bugs and requests
Detox
Reported bugs
3 issues- App not recognizing purchases and requiring re-subscription
- Blocking features not working as expected
- Sync issues between devices
Requested features
4 requests- Add option to block apps selectively instead of all-or-nothing
- Implement a scheduling feature to automatically block apps during certain times
- Provide more detailed usage analytics and reports
- Allow users to customize the app's appearance and branding
Samir
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Detox
- Detox - Weekly3 Days trial2 variants$2.997 Days
- Weekly3 Days trial$4.997 Days
- Detox - Monthly$5.991 Month
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- Detox - Monthly$9.991 Month
- Detox - Monthly$12.991 Month
- Detox - Yearly3 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Detox - Yearly3 Days trial$54.991 Year
- Detox - Yearly3 Days trial$69.991 Year
- Detox - Yearly7 Days trial$69.991 Year
Samir
- Samir Pro$8.991 Month
- Samir Pro7 Days trial$29.991 Year









