minimalist phone ® Block Apps vs Recency
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
minimalist phone ® Block Apps
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.
- Icon-free interface
- Text-based layout
- App organization by category
- Reduced sensory overload
- Boosts productivity and focus
- Digital detox companion
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Screen time is taking over your day. Here’s how minimalist phone helps you take it back minimalist phone is a screen time control app built to help you stop doomscrolling, block distractions, and boost productivity. Create a calmer, more focused phone experience with tools that help you: - Block time-wasting apps - Reduce screen time - Get gentle in-app reminders - Manage your time before mindless scrolling takes over your day ▶ FEATURES - TEXT-BASED INTERFACE Replace your icon-filled home screen with a clean, text-based layout—no visual clutter, no dopamine triggers. Organize apps using widgets. - APP BLOCKER Block apps that don’t just steal from your time but also your focus and goals. - WEBSITE BLOCKER Block websites alongside distracting apps to create a more productive routine. - IN-APP REMINDERS Set a time limit each time you open an app and get pushed out when your time is up. Turn it on for games, social media, or any app …this automatically filters notifications that trigger addictive habits. - MINDFUL LAUNCH DELAY a 15 second pause—just enough to help you breathe and decide mindfully whether you want to open an app. - BLOCKING SCHEDULES Coming soon. ▶ TRUSTED BY MILLIONS - Join 10M+ satisfied users - 83% of users reported less screen time - Save 2+ hours daily Whether you want to boost focus for work and studying, or unplug to create mental space when it matters, minimalist phone helps you track and reduce the time you spend on your phone. ▶ IMPACT OF HIGH SCREEN TIME Research links excessive screen time, social media, and gaming with: - Poorer sleep - Lower focus - Increased anxiety or distress The real issue isn’t just phone use — it’s when your phone starts controlling your time, attention, and rest. We’re not here to disconnect you from your phone. We’re here to help make it a tool that works in your favor again. ▶ WHY MINIMALIST PHONE Most screen time apps focus on timers or usage limits. minimalist phone goes deeper — tackling the psychological hooks of modern tech through a calmer, more intentional phone experience. We believe in change that is holistic, long-term, and sustainable. And honestly, deleting Instagram for one month does not cut it. ▶ IMPROVE YOUR DAILY LIFE WITH MINIMALIST PHONE - Sleep better - Improve focus - Control screen time - Organize your time routine - Track digital habits - Schedule screen-free hours WHAT OUR USERS ARE SAYING “minimalist phone drastically reduced my distractions and helped me focus on what matters.” “I've been using minimalist phone for a year now. It promises 10 hours less screen time per week... it's more like 20!” “I'm never, ever, ever going back. I’ve used minimalist phone for 4 years now, and I cannot imagine ever owning a phone without it. It has been an absolute blessing for focus and productivity.” ▶ MOST POPULAR USE CASES - Social media apps - Gaming apps - Video streaming - Adult content - Deep focus hours - Minimalism - Digital wellbeing - Time management - Task management ▶ PLANS Download minimalist phone for free on iPhone and start with a 7-day free trial. After that, choose the plan that works best for you: - Monthly - Annual - One-time purchase Find more information about in-app purchases inside the app. ▶ CONTACT AND SUPPORT Contact us at hello@care.minimalistphone.com if you have any questions or need assistance. We would love to hear from you. ▶ PRIVACY POLICY By downloading or installing minimalist phone, you agree to: Terms of Service: https://www.minimalistphone.com/terms-conditions Privacy Policy: https://www.minimalistphone.com/privacy-policy minimalist phone® is a registered trademark of QQ42 Labs UG (haftungsbeschränkt). UK: No. UK00003964355 EU: No. 018867390 US: No. 7787403
Recency
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Recency keeps your flight recency front and centre so you never get caught short before a flight. Define your recency requirements, log your events, and see at a glance what's current, what's expiring, and what needs attention. WHY RECENCY Whether it's three takeoffs and landings in 90 days, a 2D instrument approach in the last 90 days, medical certificate or flight review expiries, or any other rule you fly to, Recency gives you a single clear view of where you stand. The home screen shows every recency item colour coded by how close it is to expiry, sorted with the most urgent at the top, so the first thing you see is the thing you need to act on. KEY FEATURES • Custom recency definitions - set any rolling quantity over any period in days, months, or years, also set expiries as well for items with expiry dates • Calendar-accurate periods - "six months" means six calendar months, not 180 fixed days. • Colour coded list - red when expired, orange and yellow when approaching, green when comfortably current. Tap any item to see its history. • Configurable thresholds - choose when the orange and yellow warnings kick in. • Bulk logging - log every event from a single day in one go. • Per-item history - your last 100 entries for any requirement, with the same colour cues so you can see at a glance which still count. • iCloud sync - your data flows between every device signed in to the same iCloud account. Sign in on a second iPhone or iPad and it's already there. • Home screen widgets - small, medium, and large. • Works offline - sync is a bonus, not a requirement. Everything is fully functional without an internet connection. YOUR DATA Your data lives on your devices and in your own private iCloud database. Nothing is sent to a server we operate. Nothing is shared, analysed, or sold.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Recency at none against minimalist phone ® Block Apps's 10. Recency also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. minimalist phone ® Block Apps sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Recency asks for nothing beyond the download.
minimalist phone ® Block Apps ships an update fortnightly, Recency every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | minimalist phone ® Block Apps | Recency |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (790 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 68.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 790 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 64 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Hachi Media OÜ | Luke Cashion-Lozell |
In-app purchases
minimalist phone ® Block Apps
- Monthly Plan7 Days trial$2.991 Month
- Monthly Plan7 Days trial2 variants$4.991 Month
- Annual Plan7 Days trial$9.991 Year
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- Annual Plan7 Days trial$19.991 Year
- Lifetime access$29.99
- Lifetime access$49.99
- Lifetime access2 variants$59.99
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- Lifetime access$69.99
Recency
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is minimalist phone ® Block Apps free?
Is Recency free?
Do minimalist phone ® Block Apps or Recency have ads?
Which is updated more often, minimalist phone ® Block Apps or Recency?
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