Comparison

Bloom vs Monk

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

Monk

This app helps you regain control over your time by blocking distracting applications with a physical tag. It offers customizable blocking modes, including deep focus and strict lockdown, to create an environment conducive to work, study, or mindfulness.

Highlights
  • Physical tag for blocking/unblocking
  • Customizable app groups
  • Focus statistics
  • Scheduled blocking
  • Remote blocking
  • Emergency unblocks
  • Strict Mode for undeletable app
Read full description

In a world full of distractions, Monk helps you take back control. It pairs a physical tag with a powerful app to block the noise — and give you your time back. With a single tap, you enter Monk Mode. Apps you’ve chosen get blocked. Focus kicks in. Need something more intense? Activate Deep Focus — during that time, not even your NFC tag can unlock your phone. Want total lockdown? Turn on Strict Mode to make the app undeletable and your setup unbreakable. Whether you’re working, studying, or just trying to be present, Monk creates an environment where focus thrives. Key Features: • Tap your Monk to block/unblock distractions • Customizable app groups for different modes • Weekly & daily focus stats • Scheduled blocks via Apple Shortcuts (e.g. “when I arrive at the library”) • Remote blocking — lock down your phone from anywhere • Emergency unblocks (you get 3 — use them wisely) • Strict Mode: makes the app undeletable while active • Optional setup for a completely unbreakable experience Monk isn’t just about blocking apps — it’s about building better habits. It’s for people who are done negotiating with their attention. Tap in. Enter Monk Mode.

Screenshots

Bloom4 screens
Monk4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Monk at 100% against Bloom's 66%. Monk also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Bloom's advantage is ratings volume (2.4K vs 1) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, update cadence, 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Monk holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bloom has 2.4K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of Bloom's written reviews are positive against 100% of Monk's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bloom ships an update fortnightly, Monk monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Bloom versus Monk: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBloomMonk
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2.4K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.4K — better1
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFind Your Bloom LLCmonk HQ

Customer experience

Bloom

All ratings2,129 ratings
Positive94.8%
Neutral1.8%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews406 reviews
Positive66.0%
Neutral10.3%
Negative23.6%

Monk

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

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

Monk

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Bloom

No in-app purchases

None

Monk

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bloom free?
Bloom is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Monk free?
Monk is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Bloom or Monk?
Monk is rated higher. Bloom averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.4K ratings, while Monk averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Bloom or Monk have ads?
Neither Bloom nor Monk shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bloom or Monk?
Bloom ships an update fortnightly, and Monk monthly. Most recently, Bloom was updated on September 27, 2026 and Monk on September 13, 2026.

Other comparisons