# PauseBox vs Refiners Fire

PauseBox and Refiners Fire both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 82% of PauseBox's written reviews are positive against 25% of Refiners Fire's. PauseBox also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3). Refiners Fire's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (388 vs 29). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Refiners Fire sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. PauseBox asks for nothing beyond the download.

PauseBox holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Refiners Fire has 388 ratings behind it against 29, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of PauseBox's written reviews are positive against 25% of Refiners Fire's.

PauseBox ships an update every 3 months, Refiners Fire every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PauseBox | Refiners Fire |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (29 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pausebox/id6745524690/reviews)** | [4.7 (388 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/refiners-fire/id6758857657/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 29 | **388** |
| Positive reviews | **82.4% of reviews** | 25.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 90 MB | 70 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Britt Espinosa](https://appshunter.io/developer/1812701009) | [KCG Properties](https://appshunter.io/developer/1852531772) |

## What reviewers say

### PauseBox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pausebox/id6745524690)

This app helps you block digital distractions by creating a physical barrier. Select apps to block, create custom groups with schedules, and then tap your phone on a physical device to initiate a focus session. It encourages intentional separation to break habit loops.

**Highlights:** Select apps to block, Create custom Pause Groups, Schedule focus sessions, Use physical device for blocking, Remote blocking option, Intentional separation from phone

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Refiners Fire

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/refiners-fire/id6758857657)

Embark on a 75-day spiritual transformation journey focused on discipline and devotion. This app guides you through daily scripture, prayer, workouts, fasting, purity, reflection, and service to forge a stronger faith.

**Highlights:** 75-day sanctification journey, Daily scripture and prayer logging, Workout and fasting tracking, Purity and reflection journaling, Daily acts of service logging, Progress visualization, Fail protocol for accountability

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refiners Fire Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| 90 Day RF | $29.99 | per 3 months |
| Refiners Fire Annual | $59.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PauseBox free?

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

### Is Refiners Fire free?

Refiners Fire is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, PauseBox or Refiners Fire?

PauseBox is rated higher. PauseBox averages 4.9 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while Refiners Fire averages 4.7 from 388 ratings.

### Do PauseBox or Refiners Fire have ads?

Neither PauseBox nor Refiners Fire shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PauseBox or Refiners Fire?

PauseBox ships an update every 3 months, and Refiners Fire every 5 days. Most recently, PauseBox was updated on September 19, 2026 and Refiners Fire on September 29, 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.*