# Shift vs minimalist phone ® Block Apps

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Shift at none against minimalist phone ® Block Apps's 10. Shift also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). minimalist phone ® Block Apps's advantage is ratings volume (753 vs 2) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, monetization model, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. minimalist phone ® Block Apps sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Shift asks for nothing beyond the download.

Shift holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: minimalist phone ® Block Apps has 753 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Shift ships an update every 2 months, minimalist phone ® Block Apps fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 28, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shift | minimalist phone ® Block Apps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shift-block-apps/id6740092027/reviews)** | [4.6 (753 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/minimalist-phone-block-apps/id6742103871/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **753** |
| Positive reviews | — | 68.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 79 MB | 64 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Wojciech Filipowicz](https://appshunter.io/developer/1590351338) | [Hachi Media OÜ](https://appshunter.io/developer/6784634018) |

## What reviewers say

### Shift

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shift-block-apps/id6740092027)

This app helps you regain focus by blocking distracting applications with a single tap. It offers unbreakable focus sessions, tracks your screen time, and provides analytics to help you take back control of your attention from social media algorithms.

**Highlights:** Block any app instantly, Unbreakable focus sessions, Screen time tracking and analytics, Daily streaks and progress sharing, Optional physical commitment device

**In-app purchases:** none


### minimalist phone ® Block Apps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/minimalist-phone-block-apps/id6742103871)

This app transforms your smartphone into a distraction-free tool, replacing cluttered home screens with a simple, text-based interface. Organize apps by category to reduce sensory overload and encourage intentional use, boosting productivity and mental wellbeing.

**Highlights:** Icon-free interface, Text-based layout, App organization by category, Reduced sensory overload, Boosts productivity and focus, Digital detox companion

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Plan | $2.99 | per month |
| Monthly Plan | $4.99 | per month |
| Annual Plan | $9.99 | per year |
| Annual Plan | $19.99 | per year |
| Lifetime access | $29.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime access | $49.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime access | $59.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime access | $69.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shift free?

Shift is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is minimalist phone ® Block Apps free?

minimalist phone ® Block Apps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Shift or minimalist phone ® Block Apps?

Shift is rated higher. Shift averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while minimalist phone ® Block Apps averages 4.6 from 753 ratings.

### Do Shift or minimalist phone ® Block Apps have ads?

minimalist phone ® Block Apps shows ads; Shift does not.

### Which is updated more often, Shift or minimalist phone ® Block Apps?

Shift ships an update every 2 months, and minimalist phone ® Block Apps fortnightly. Most recently, Shift was updated on October 28, 2026 and minimalist phone ® Block Apps on October 28, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*