One Thing vs ReelBlock
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
One Thing
This app blocks distracting applications until a user completes a single, meaningful daily activity. It helps users break phone addiction, reduce mindless scrolling, and build real habits through a structured approach to digital detox and focused work sessions.
- Blocks distracting apps until daily activity is completed
- AI-powered activity verification
- System-level app blocking with native iOS integration
- Focus timer with cross-device sync
- Streak tracking and progress analytics
- Personalized app filters and usage caps
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Stop scrolling. Start living. One Thing flips phone addiction on its head. Instead of fighting dopamine-driven habits, this app channels them — blocking distractions until you complete one meaningful activity each day. Exercise, read, meditate, do deep work, or practice an instrument. Finish first, then earn back access. The result? A daily digital detox that builds real habits, reduces mindless scrolling, and gives you hours of focus back. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION All features require an active subscription after the free trial period. HOW IT WORKS (Subscription Required) Pick one activity every morning: gym, reading, meditation, studying, journaling, running, walking, or any productive pursuit. Until it's done, distracting apps stay locked. No willpower needed. The environment does the work. SMART BLOCKING (Subscription Required) System-Level Control: Native iOS Screen Time integration locks apps at the deepest level Personalized Filters: Select exactly which apps to restrict based on individual triggers Flexible Scheduling: Set weekly routines, daily challenges, or immediate timed blocks Usage Caps: Limit daily or weekly opens and minutes for specific apps Emergency Unlock: Safety valve for moments when access is genuinely urgent AI-POWERED VERIFICATION (Subscription Required) Photo Proof: Snap a picture and GPT-4 Vision confirms whether the activity was actually completed Works Everywhere: From gym selfies to reading sessions, the AI adapts to any habit No Cheating: Intelligent analysis catches shortcuts and keeps accountability honest TRUE FOCUS MODE (Subscription Required) Distraction-Free Timer: Full-screen countdown for deep work, studying, or creative sessions Cross-Device Sync: Pairs with Mac for seamless focus across phone and desktop ADHD-Friendly: Structured sessions with grace periods reduce the friction of getting started PROGRESS & MOTIVATION (Subscription Required) Streak Tracking: Build momentum day after day with visual completion calendars 18-Level Progression: Journey from "Brain Rewiring" on Day 1 to "One Year Champion" Detailed Analytics: Monitor hours saved, daily completion rates, and long-term growth Milestone Alerts: Celebrate achievements at key moments throughout the journey PRIVACY & RELIABILITY (Subscription Required) On-Device Data: Personal information never leaves the phone Background Processing: Blocks stay active even when the app is closed Live Activity Widget: Persistent lock-screen reminder showing streaks and countdowns BUILT FOR Anyone trapped in a scroll-refresh-repeat cycle Students needing structured study sessions and fewer distractions Professionals seeking a digital detox during work hours Fitness-focused individuals building consistent gym or running routines People with ADHD looking for external structure and accountability Families creating healthier relationships with technology WHY IT WORKS Traditional habit trackers send reminders and hope for the best. One Thing creates real consequences: access to social media, news, and entertainment stays blocked until the daily habit is done. It's not about restricting freedom. It's about trading a dopamine loop for a life-changing routine. JOMO (joy of missing out) replaces FOMO, one day at a time. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS Payment: Charged to Apple ID upon confirmation of purchase Renewal: Automatically renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends Management: Manage or cancel anytime in Apple ID Account Settings No Commitment: Cancel at any point, no penalties Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://onethingapp.framer.website/privacy-policy
ReelBlock
This app helps you regain control over your social media usage by removing distracting algorithmic content from platforms like Instagram and TikTok. It offers customizable blocking options, time budgeting, and study modes to help you focus on what matters.
- Removes algorithmic content
- Customizable blocking modes
- Daily time budgeting
- Study mode with countdowns
- Commitment lock for settings
- Parental controls
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Free. No account, no sign-up, no subscription, no server. You sign in to Instagram itself, inside Apple's own web view, exactly as you would in Safari. ReelBlock never sees your password. Your settings, your timer and your statistics are stored on this phone and are never uploaded anywhere, because there is nowhere to upload them to. Nothing is collected and nothing is sold. WHAT IT DOES ReelBlock opens Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook with the endless bits removed. Your friends, your DMs and your stories stay. The Reels tab, the For You page, Explore and the suggested posts do not. FIVE WAYS TO USE IT Most people know the scroll is bad for them and enjoy it anyway, so ReelBlock is a dial, not a light switch. - Full block. No reels. None. Anywhere. - Friends only. Posts from people you follow, nothing the algorithm picked. - Friends and interests. Plus a few posts a day on things you chose. - Capped. Reels allowed up to a number you set, then they stop. - Aware. Reels stay, and a card tells you what you have spent. A TIME BUDGET THAT STOPS YOU Set a daily budget. You get a nudge partway through, and at the limit the screen goes dark and asks if you are done. Time is counted only while you are actually looking, never while the app sits in your pocket. Keep one budget for each app, or one shared between all of them. THE AWARENESS CARD Every so often, between scrolls, ReelBlock states the number. "Forty reels, twenty-eight minutes." No lecture, no shame. Carry on, or stop. THE LONG VIEW Two hours a day, from twenty-one to eighty, is nearly five years of your life. ReelBlock does that sum with your own numbers. STUDY MODE Set a date. ReelBlock locks itself until you pass it, with a countdown on the screen. No breaks, no toggles, no talking yourself round at 1am the night before an exam. A COMMITMENT LOCK Lock your settings for an hour, a day or a week. PARENT MODE A PIN over the parent controls, approved topics, and bedtime and school-hour windows. Set up on the device, stored on the device. Free, like everything else. ONE REEL, THAT'S THE DEAL When a friend sends you a reel, you watch it. Try to scroll past it and ReelBlock says no. ALSO IN SAFARI ReelBlock ships a Safari extension, so the same rules apply when you browse these sites in Safari. Turn it on in Settings, Apps, Safari, Extensions. WHAT STAYS Posts from people you follow. Stories, unless you turn them off. Direct messages, in full. Search, profiles, saved posts and notifications. EVERY FEATURE IS FREE There is no paid tier. Hiding the home feed, hiding suggested posts, parent mode, study mode and the time budget are all included, because a focus tool that holds your focus to ransom is not a focus tool. ReelBlock is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Instagram, Meta, TikTok, YouTube or Google.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ReelBlock at none against One Thing's 10. ReelBlock also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7). One Thing's advantage is ratings volume (892 vs 1). On price, update cadence, 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. One Thing sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. ReelBlock asks for nothing beyond the download.
ReelBlock holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: One Thing has 892 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
One Thing ships an update every 2 weeks, ReelBlock every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | One Thing | ReelBlock |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (892 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 27.1% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 892 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 8 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.2 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 227 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | One Thing LTD | Elliot Reeve |
Bugs and requests
One Thing
Reported bugs
1 issue- Incompatible with younger users due to payment requirements
Requested features
3 requests- Allow multiple activities per day
- Add chores/cleaning/meal prep blocks
- Option to add multiple blocks
ReelBlock
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
One Thing
- One Thing (Full Access) (Weekly)$7.997 Days
- Pro Plan Monthly$8.991 Month
- One Thing (Weekly)$12.997 Days
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- Pro Plan Yearly WB$21.901 Year
- One Thing (Full Access) (Annual)$29.991 Year
- One Thing (Yearly - BF)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- One Thing Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Pro Plan Yearly$49.991 Year
- One Thing (Yearly)7 Days trial$49.991 Year
- One Thing (Yearly)7 Days trial$59.991 Year
ReelBlock
No in-app purchases









