Fokusd vs Span Timer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Fokusd
This app introduces a brief pause before accessing distracting applications by requiring users to scan a physical photo using AR technology. This intentional friction helps break habitual phone usage and encourages conscious decision-making about app access.
- AR-powered photo recognition
- Block distracting apps
- Use any printed image
- Emergency unlock feature
- Data stays on device
- No account required
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You unlock your phone 80+ times a day. Most of those aren't choices — they're reflexes. Fokusd uses AR technology to add one small moment of friction between you and your most distracting apps. Instead of mindlessly opening social media, you'll scan a real, physical photo first. That 5-second pause is enough to break the autopilot — and let you make a real choice. HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose a photo that matches something physical you have — a poster on your wall, a picture on your fridge, a framed photo on your desk 2. Select which apps you want to restrict 3. When you try to open a restricted app, scan your photo in the real world 4. That moment of getting up and deliberately scanning gives your brain time to ask: "Do I actually want this?" WHY THIS WORKS Phone addiction isn't about willpower — it's about environment design. Apps like Instagram and TikTok are engineered to be frictionless. Fokusd adds friction back. When opening an app requires walking to your fridge, you'll naturally check it less — without forcing yourself. NO HARDWARE REQUIRED Unlike apps that need expensive special hardware, Fokusd works with what you already have. Any printed photo, poster, or image works. Your phone's camera and AR capabilities do the rest. 100% FREE No subscriptions. No ads. No data collection. Fokusd was built as a tool that should exist, not as a business. FEATURES • Block any app using Apple's Screen Time API • AR-powered photo recognition • Works with any printed image — photos, posters, art • Emergency unlock for urgent situations • All data stays on your device • No account required PRIVACY Your unlock photo never leaves your device. We don't track your app usage. We don't have servers. We don't collect analytics. This app exists to help you focus, not to harvest your attention. Break the scroll. Scan to unlock. Take back your time.
Span Timer
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Span Timer is a minimalist timer app designed for clarity and focus. MULTIPLE TIMERS Run up to 4 independent timers simultaneously. Whether you're timing different tasks, tracking multiple activities, or managing concurrent workflows, Span Timer adapts to your needs with intelligent layouts. COUNT UP OR DOWN Each timer works your way: • Swipe up for stopwatch mode - count up from zero • Swipe down to set a countdown timer • Switch between modes anytime CLEAN INTERFACE No clutter. No ads. No distractions. Just your timers and the time. GESTURES Simple, intuitive controls: • Tap to start or pause • Long press to add custom titles • Swipe to switch modes DYNAMIC LAYOUTS Span Timer automatically adjusts: • 1 timer: fullscreen • 2-3 timers: vertical stack • 4 timers: balanced grid PRIVACY FIRST Zero data collection. Everything stays on your device. No accounts, no tracking, no analytics. Perfect for: • Focus sessions and Pomodoro techniques • Cooking multiple dishes • Workout intervals • Task time tracking • Meeting time management • Creative time blocking Span Timer is time tracking refined to its essence.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Span Timer at none against Fokusd's 3. Span Timer also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 2 months). Fokusd's advantage is iOS requirement (18.6 vs 26.2). On price, ads 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
Both are free to download. Fokusd sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Span Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.
Fokusd ships an update every 2 months, Span Timer daily. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Fokusd | Span Timer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 — better | 26.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Pawel Maryniak | Abhishek Serjam |
In-app purchases
Fokusd
- Small Tip$0.99
- Medium Tip$2.99
- Large Tip$4.99
Span Timer
No in-app purchases





