Comparison

Monk Mode vs Start Now

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

Head to head
About

Monk Mode

Regain control of your attention with this productivity tool that combines a minimalist phone mode with app and website blocking. Designed to combat digital distractions and enhance concentration, it helps users achieve focused work sessions.

Highlights
  • Minimalist phone mode
  • App blocker
  • Website blocker
  • Distraction control
  • Focus enhancement
  • 3-day free trial
Features
Read full description

Feeling overwhelmed by distractions? Drowning in notifications and social media feeds? Take control of your focus with Monk Mode, the productivity app designed to help you achieve laser-sharp concentration. Monk Mode is a 2-in-1 app featuring a minimalist phone feature and an app/website blocker. Monk Mode offers a 3-day free trial. There are three purchase options: - $9.99 Monthly Plan - $49.99 Yearly Plan - $99.99 Lifetime Plan These prices are in US Dollars (USD). Pricing in other currencies and countries may vary and actual charges may be converted to your local currency depending on the country of residence. *A Monk Mode subscription is required to enjoy full access to features* Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Start Now

This app helps you overcome procrastination by focusing on starting tasks with a simple, one-tap timer. Track your progress and build consistency with a clean, minimalist design.

Highlights
  • One-tap focus timer
  • Unlimited task creation (Pro)
  • Progress tracking
  • Daily and weekly stats
  • Gentle reminders
  • Minimalist design
Features
Read full description

Stop waiting. Start doing. Start Now helps you overcome procrastination by making it easy to begin. Instead of overwhelming to-do lists and complicated productivity systems, simply choose what you want to work on, tap Start, and build momentum one focused session at a time. Whether you're studying, working, cleaning, reading, writing, or tackling a personal project, Start Now helps you stop overthinking and start making progress. No complicated productivity system. No endless planning. Just action. Features: • One-tap focus timer • Create unlimited tasks (Pro) • View your progress • Track daily and weekly stats • Build consistency over time • Gentle reminders • Beautiful minimalist design Why you'll love Start Now: • Start a focus session with a single tap • Create and organize tasks that matter to you • Track every completed work session automatically • View your daily, weekly, and all-time progress • Stay motivated by seeing your consistency grow • Enjoy a clean, distraction-free interface designed to keep your attention where it belongs Built for real life: You don't need the perfect plan before you begin. Progress is built through small, consistent actions, and Start Now is designed to help you take that first step whenever you're ready. Use Start Now for: • Studying and homework • Work and side projects • Reading • Writing • Creative projects • Household tasks • Daily routines • Building better habits Start Now Pro: Upgrade to Start Now Pro to unlock unlimited tasks and support the continued development of the app. More premium features will be added over time at no additional cost for active subscribers. Privacy first: Your focus sessions and progress belong to you. Start Now is designed to help you spend less time managing productivity and more time actually getting things done. Small steps lead to big results. Start now. Terms of Use (EULA): https://startnowapp.framer.website/terms Privacy Policy: https://startnowapp.framer.website/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Monk Mode4 screens
Start Now4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Monk Mode at 6 against Start Now's 1. Start Now's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.4). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. Monk Mode sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Start Now sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $19.99 per year. 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 — 5.0 for Monk Mode against 5.0 for Start Now. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Monk Mode has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Monk Mode versus Start Now: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMonk ModeStart Now
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (6 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings6 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.415.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size70 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRed Eye StudiosCHIAMAKA N EKWEGH

Customer experience

Monk Mode

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Start Now

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Monk Mode

Subscriptions5
  • Monthly Premium Subscription3 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Monthly Plan3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Quarterly Premium Subscription3 Days trial$9.993 Months
Show 2 more
  • Yearly Premium Subscription3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Yearly Plan3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time4
  • Minimal Phone Feature$9.99
  • Lifetime Membership$9.99
  • Bundle & Save$14.99
Show 1 more
  • Lifetime Plan$99.99
1 purchases

Start Now

Subscriptions1
  • Start Now Pro Annual$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Monk Mode free?
Monk Mode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Start Now free?
Start Now is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Monk Mode or Start Now?
Monk Mode and Start Now are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 6 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Monk Mode or Start Now have ads?
Neither Monk Mode nor Start Now shows ads.

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