Comparison

Breaktime vs Monk

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Breaktime

This app helps you regain control over your screen time by blocking distracting applications. It requires you to set a duration for app usage and start a timed break before accessing blocked apps, ensuring accountability and promoting digital wellbeing.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps 24/7
  • Timed breaks for app access
  • Customizable delay for reconsideration
  • Strict Mode with no bypasses
  • Travel Mode for automatic unblocking
  • Scheduled recurring blocking
  • Daily limit goals and streaks
Features
Read full description

How it works: - Block apps permanently or set a schedule - Friction before EVERY unlock with 14+ different modes - Set a time limit on how long you'll unlock for - When your time's up your apps are automatically reblocked Other features designed for focus: - 14+ friction modes to help you reconsider: pushups, eye contact, tap to unlock, typing a quote or a breathing cycle and more. - Strict Mode, where no breaks or bypasses are allowed. - Travel Mode, automatically unblock apps when you're away from home. - Scheduling: Setup automatic recurring blocking. - Set a daily limit goal and stay motivated with streaks. - Advanced customisations to suit your focus needs. - No collection of your phone usage or personal data. - Minimal UI designed as simple as possible to be less stimulating and distracting. - Lightning-fast setup. You’re ready to go in 30 seconds. In a world where apps do everything they can now to keep you scrolling, Breaktime is designed to give you back control. It takes a different approach, believing that being intentional with your downtime and deciding how long you want to spend on an app beforehand is essential to digital wellbeing. It’s built for the people who value their focus, productivity, and time away from your phone. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy policy: https://breaktimeapp.github.io/privacy-policy

About

Monk

This app helps users regain focus by blocking distracting applications until a chosen meaningful activity is completed and verified. It encourages daily rituals and discipline to combat digital distractions and improve productivity.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps
  • AI-verified activity completion
  • Daily focus rituals
  • Dopamine detox
  • Focus schedules
  • Win history and streaks
Read full description

Monk - Earn Your Dopamine The #1 Monk Mode App for Gen Z HOW IT WORKS: Every morning, choose ONE meaningful activity: studying, deep work, coding, business work, gym, meditation, journaling, or walking. Monk blocks your most distracting apps until you complete the activity and verify it with a quick AI scan. Your apps unlock only after you earn your dopamine. Monk gives you the one advantage nobody else has: a daily ritual that forces discipline, kills brainrot, and unlocks pure focus. Reclaim 1h 30m+ every day. WHY MONK - #1 Monk Mode App – Built for Gen Z’s attention war - Earn Your Dopamine – Apps unlock only after real action - Dopamine Detox – Escape the infinite scroll, kill brainrot FEATURES - Daily Win Ritual – Complete one real action and verify with AI - Focus Schedules – Automate deep work, focus, and study windows - Monk Mode – Instantly block distracting apps until tomorrow - Win History – See your daily wins, streaks, and focus hours over time WHO IT'S FOR - Students – Study like an academic weapon - Entrepreneurs – Protect focus to grow your business - Creators – Unlock the flow state for your best ideas - Athletes – Train with discipline and consistency - Builders – Execute relentlessly without distraction PRIVACY GUARANTEED We use Apple’s Screen Time API so all of your phone usage data stays on your device. JOIN THE MENTAL RENAISSANCE Download Monk now. Your attention is your superpower. *A Monk subscription is required to enjoy full access to features* TERMS & CONDITIONS: monkapp.com/terms monkapp.com/privacy

Screenshots

Breaktime4 screens
Monk4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Breaktime at freemium against Monk's subscription. Breaktime also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Breaktime sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Monk sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Breaktime against 4.6 for Monk. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 67 and 135 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of Breaktime's written reviews are positive against 75% of Monk's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Breaktime ships an update every 4 days, Monk every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and July 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Breaktime versus Monk: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBreaktimeMonk
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (67 ratings) — better4.6 (135 ratings)
Positive reviews81.3% of reviews — better75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings67135 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB131 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNathan ChanPolymath Labs Ltd.

Customer experience

Breaktime

All ratings67 ratings
Positive89.6%
Neutral6.0%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive81.3%
Neutral12.5%
Negative6.3%

Monk

All ratings135 ratings
Positive91.1%
Neutral1.5%
Negative7.4%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Bugs and requests

Breaktime

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Monk

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Apps not being blocked as scheduled
  • Glitches in scheduling functionality

Requested features

2 requests
  • Improved app blocking reliability
  • Customizable scheduling options

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Breaktime

Subscriptions6
  • Breaktime Premium7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Breaktime Premium7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Breaktime Premium - Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Breaktime Premium7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Breaktime Premium7 Days trial$34.991 Year
  • Breaktime Premium - Annually3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Promo$24.99
3 purchases

Monk

Subscriptions3
  • Monk Pro (Monthly)$19.991 Month
  • Monk Pro (Annual)$48.001 Year
  • Monk Pro (Annual)3 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is Breaktime free?
Breaktime is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Monk free?
Monk is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Breaktime or Monk?
Breaktime is rated higher. Breaktime averages 4.7 out of 5 from 67 ratings, while Monk averages 4.6 from 135 ratings.
Do Breaktime or Monk have ads?
Neither Breaktime nor Monk shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Breaktime or Monk?
Breaktime ships an update every 4 days, and Monk every 2 weeks. Most recently, Breaktime was updated on September 22, 2026 and Monk on July 4, 2026.

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