# One Thing vs Spool

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Spool at 71% against One Thing's 28%. One Thing's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. One Thing sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days and Spool sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

One Thing holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: One Thing has 892 ratings behind it against 172, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 28% of One Thing's written reviews are positive against 71% of Spool's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

One Thing ships an update every 2 weeks, Spool weekly. Both last shipped on October 22, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | One Thing | Spool |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (892 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/one-thing-earn-screen-time/id6748092391/reviews)** | [4.4 (172 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spool-screen-time-control/id6749428484/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **892** | 172 |
| Positive reviews | 27.5% of reviews | **71.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | Subscription |
| Size | 188 MB | 406 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.2** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [One Thing LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1824252786) | [Spooli Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1830399976) |

## What reviewers say

### One Thing

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/one-thing-earn-screen-time/id6748092391)

This app helps you build positive habits by blocking distracting apps until you complete a chosen meaningful activity. It uses AI-powered verification and progress tracking to keep you motivated and accountable.

**Highlights:** Daily meaningful activity selection, Smart app blocking, AI-powered camera verification, Progress tracking and streaks, Flexible scheduling, Family controls integration

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| One Thing (Full Access) (Weekly) | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Plan Monthly | $8.99 | per month |
| One Thing (Weekly) | $12.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Plan Yearly WB | $21.90 | per year |
| One Thing (Full Access) (Annual) | $29.99 | per year |
| One Thing (Yearly - BF) | $29.99 | per year |
| One Thing Annual | $39.99 | per year |
| Pro Plan Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| One Thing (Yearly) | $49.99 | per year |
| One Thing (Yearly) | $59.99 | per year |
| One Thing Yearly | $69.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Helps stop doom-scrolling
- 👍 Beneficial for users
- 👍 Breaks bad habits
- 👍 Helps with productivity

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Requires payment
- 🚫 Limited functionality without payment

**Reported bugs**

- Incompatible with younger users due to payment requirements

**Requested features**

- Allow multiple activities per day
- Add chores/cleaning/meal prep blocks
- Option to add multiple blocks


### Spool

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spool-screen-time-control/id6749428484)

This app helps you break free from excessive screen time by making you pause and justify your phone usage. It uses research-backed techniques to disrupt habit loops and offers instant blocking for apps and websites to help you reclaim focus and improve mental clarity.

**Highlights:** Justify phone usage before scrolling, AI-powered trigger insights, Identify peak phone usage times, Instant app and website blocking, Reclaim focus and mental clarity

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Spool Features Weekly Subscription | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Spool Weekly Subscription | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Full Access: Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| Spool Premium Annual | $25.00 | per year |
| Full Access: Limited Time Offer | $34.99 | per year |
| Full Access: Yearly | $34.99 | per year |
| Full Access: Yearly | $44.99 | per year |
| Full Access: Yearly | $44.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is One Thing free?

One Thing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Spool free?

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

### Which has better reviews, One Thing or Spool?

One Thing is rated higher. One Thing averages 4.7 out of 5 from 892 ratings, while Spool averages 4.4 from 172 ratings.

### Do One Thing or Spool have ads?

Spool shows ads; One Thing does not.

### Which is updated more often, One Thing or Spool?

One Thing ships an update every 2 weeks, and Spool weekly. Most recently, One Thing was updated on October 22, 2026 and Spool on October 22, 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.*