Comparison

Bloom vs Shift

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

Head to head
About

Bloom

This app helps you conquer screen time by requiring you to tap an NFC keycard to your phone to access distracting apps. Set schedules, manage breaks, and utilize strict mode to stay focused. It's a physical solution for digital detox and improved productivity.

Highlights
  • NFC keycard app blocking
  • Customizable distraction lists
  • Focus schedules
  • Break limits
  • Strict mode
  • Emergency exits
Read full description

Most screen time apps fail because they’re easy to bypass. Bloom was created to fix that. Bloom revolutionizes your productivity by requiring you to scan an NFC keycard to your phone to access distracting apps. **How It Works** - Choose Your Distractions: Select the apps or websites you find most distracting. - Block Your Distractions: Tap your Bloom card to your phone to block those apps. - Live Distraction-Free: Stay productive with your card out of reach. When ready, just tap your Bloom card to your phone to unblock your apps. **Features** - Schedules: Set personalized schedules for your focus periods, allowing them to start and end automatically. - Breaks: Use your apps mindfully by setting limits on the frequency and duration of your breaks. - Strict Mode: Disable your ability to delete the Bloom app while in focus mode (optional). - Emergency Exits: Unblock all of your apps without your bloom card up to three times. **Why Bloom** - Spend less time on your phone and more time doing things that actually matter. - Improve your work habits by blocking out distractions. - Our physical solution is the ultimate solution for digital detox and time management. With Bloom’s NFC keycard, you can leave the “key” to your distractions behind, ensuring you stay focused and productive. Find your Bloom today and enjoy life beyond your phone! (We prioritize your privacy—your screen time data stays securely on your device and is never shared or stored elsewhere). Learn more by visiting our website: bloom.inc

About

Shift

Read full description

Block Instagram, TikTok, Reddit — one tap and they're gone. Shift is the app blocker that doesn't negotiate. Set focus sessions that stick, track your screen time, and take your attention back from the algorithm. Free to download. Your phone was built to keep you hooked. Shift is how you take it back. HOW IT WORKS Pick the apps stealing your time — Instagram, TikTok, X, Reddit, anything. Start a Shift. The apps lock instantly. Stay locked. No "ignore limit" button. No five-minute snooze. No negotiating with yourself. MAKE IT PHYSICALLY UNBREAKABLE The app works on its own. But if you want zero chance of caving, add the Shift Puck or NFC Card — a physical device that lives off your phone. Tap it to lock. Now the off switch isn't on your phone at all. When the device isn't near you, neither is the temptation. This isn't a productivity hack. It's a commitment device — the kind that works because it doesn't rely on willpower you've already spent. WHAT YOU GET, FREE Block any app, any time — one tap Custom modes for Work, Sleep, Family, Gym Daily streaks and screen-time analytics Scheduled auto-shift — set it and forget it Win Cards to share your progress Your data never leaves your phone. Ever. FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DONE Done doomscrolling. Done losing hours. Done feeling owned by a feed. Shift is for people who choose clarity over noise, presence over scrolling, real life over the algorithm. You own your phone. Not the other way around. Download Shift free. Join the resistance.

Screenshots

Bloom4 screens
Shift4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Bloom at fortnightly against Shift's every 3 months. 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bloom ships an update fortnightly, Shift every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Bloom versus Shift: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBloomShift
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2.4K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews65.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings2.4K — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB106 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFind Your Bloom LLCWojciech Filipowicz

Bugs and requests

Bloom

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App crashes when selecting apps for blocklist
  • Settings fail to save consistently

Requested features

2 requests
  • More flexible session scheduling options
  • Thinner, more discreet physical card

Shift

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Bloom

No in-app purchases

None

Shift

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bloom free?
Bloom is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Shift free?
Shift is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Bloom or Shift have ads?
Neither Bloom nor Shift shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bloom or Shift?
Bloom ships an update fortnightly, and Shift every 3 months. Most recently, Bloom was updated on October 3, 2026 and Shift on September 29, 2026.

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