Comparison

Unhook vs ReadFirst

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

Head to head
About

Unhook

Features
Read full description

Break free from autopilot. Build the life you actually want. Unhook is your all-in-one behavior tracking app — built to help you stop bad habits, build good ones, and take full control of your actions, impulses, and routines. Whether you’re trying to quit social media, reduce alcohol, limit caffeine, stop emotional eating, or simply be more mindful — Unhook gives you the tools to stay aware, reflect deeply, and create lasting behavior change. We don’t believe in punishment, streak anxiety, or rigid tracking. Instead, Unhook is about awareness, moderation, and growth. You define what progress means — and we help you get there. Top reasons people use Unhook: • Track bad habits and reduce their frequency with flexible goals • Build positive habits that align with your values • Set behavioral limits like “no more than 2x per week” • Log your impulses with rich context: Was it emotional? Stress-related? • Reflect on every action, not just track it • Break addictive loops like doomscrolling or binge eating • Stay mindful with smart reminders and check-ins • Visualize your journey through logs, timelines, and feedback • Celebrate wins and feel proud of your progress How it works: 1. Choose a behavior — anything from “Reduce Junk Food” to “Go Outside More” 2. Set your intention — Do you want to do it more, or less? How often? 3. Track each moment — Add logs with emotion, reason, and reflection 4. Get insights — See your behavior over time. Understand triggers. 5. Reclaim control — Start choosing, instead of reacting. Unhook helps you identify triggers, patterns, and behavior loops. You don’t just see what you did — you understand why. That’s the foundation for deep, meaningful change. Whether your goal is to stop nail biting, cut down on caffeine, meditate daily, or build a healthier relationship with social media — Unhook gives you the tools, structure, and motivation to follow through. Start small. Reflect often. Grow steadily. Unhook is not about perfection. It’s about progress. Download Unhook and take the first step toward conscious behavior change. Break bad habits, track progress, and build a better you — one choice at a time.

About

ReadFirst

This app encourages reading by requiring users to photograph a book page before unlocking chosen apps. It tracks reading progress and offers features like widgets and Siri shortcuts. Your reading data remains private on your device.

Highlights
  • Photograph book pages to unlock apps
  • Set custom unlock durations
  • Track reading progress with statistics
  • Bookshelf to manage reading material
  • Widgets and Siri shortcuts
  • Private and ad-free experience
Features
Read full description

ReadFirst requires a purchase: an annual or monthly subscription, or a one-time purchase. All features below are included. New subscribers can try the annual plan free for 3 days. ReadFirst puts a page before the feed. Choose the apps that pull you in. ReadFirst locks them using Apple's Screen Time. When you want to use them, read a little in a printed book, take a photo of the page you reached, and your apps unlock for the number of minutes you set. HOW IT WORKS • You set the rule: reading one to five pages unlocks your apps for the number of minutes you choose. • A short reading timer runs before you can take the photo, so a quick snapshot does not count. • The photo is checked on your device. It is never uploaded or stored. • Minutes only count down while you use your apps. Any unused minutes go back into your bank. • Read more than you need, and the extra credit stays in your bank. • You get one skip a week for the days when you need it. You can allow up to three in Settings. • Set an optional daily limit if you want a ceiling. KEEP TRACK OF YOUR READING • Your bookshelf shows covers, page counts and the book you are currently reading. • A daily goal, a streak and statistics by week, month and year. • A reading log with every page you counted. • Widgets, a reading timer on the Lock Screen, a Read Now control and Siri shortcuts. • Works on iPhone and iPad. PRIVATE FROM THE START No account required. Your books and your reading stay on your device. When you look up a book or a cover, only its ISBN or title is sent to Open Library, Apple Books and public library catalogues. Anonymous usage statistics show us where the app can improve. They never include your name, books or photos. No ads, no tracking. ReadFirst uses Apple's Screen Time API (Family Controls) with your permission. You can change or remove the lock at any time in the app or in iOS Settings. PURCHASE AND SUBSCRIPTION ReadFirst requires a purchase: an annual subscription, a monthly subscription or a one-time purchase. Each option gives you full access to every feature above. New subscribers can try the annual plan free for 3 days. Payment is charged to your Apple Account when you confirm the purchase or when the free trial ends. Subscriptions renew automatically unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. The renewal payment is charged within the last 24 hours of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscriptions in your Apple Account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://getreadfirst.com/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://getreadfirst.com/privacy/

Screenshots

Unhook4 screens
ReadFirst4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: ReadFirst at daily against Unhook's every 3 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Unhook sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and ReadFirst sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Unhook ships an update every 3 weeks, ReadFirst daily. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Unhook versus ReadFirst: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUnhookReadFirst
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Subscription
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexandr KuziaevTrueDigital LLC

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Unhook

One-time1
  • Unhook Pro: One-time$5.99
4 purchases

ReadFirst

Subscriptions3
  • ReadFirst, monthly$7.991 Month
  • ReadFirst, annual3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • ReadFirst, annual1 Year trial2 variants$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • ReadFirst, one-time$99.99

Questions

Is Unhook free?
Unhook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ReadFirst free?
ReadFirst is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Unhook or ReadFirst have ads?
Neither Unhook nor ReadFirst shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Unhook or ReadFirst?
Unhook ships an update every 3 weeks, and ReadFirst daily. Most recently, Unhook was updated on October 24, 2026 and ReadFirst on October 31, 2026.

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