Comparison

Friction° vs Loop Focus

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

Head to head
About

Friction°

This app creates intentional barriers to accessing distracting applications and websites. It employs a unique challenge system, requiring users to complete tasks before disabling blocking rules, fostering self-discipline and focus.

Highlights
  • Randomized character challenge to disable blocks
  • Scheduled app blocking by day and time
  • Location-based app blocking
  • Website blocking
  • Prevent app uninstallation during sessions
  • Adjustable challenge difficulty
Read full description

Friction blocks the apps you choose — and makes it genuinely hard to change your mind. Other screen time apps let you tap "ignore" in one second. Friction doesn't. When you try to disable a block, you'll face a randomized challenge string you have to type out perfectly: 20 characters free, up to 80 with Premium. By the time you could finish, the impulse has passed. That's the whole idea. SET YOUR OWN RULES  Create blocking rules that fit your life:  • Schedule — block apps on specific days and times (e.g. no Instagram on weekdays 9–5)  • Multi-Time — multiple blocking windows in a single rule  • Session — start an immediate focus block for a set duration  • Location — automatically block apps when you arrive at or leave a place THE FRICTION GENERATOR  This is what makes Friction different. When you try to disable your own rules, you face a challenge:  • Type a randomly-generated string of characters (adjustable length with Premium)  • Or hold a button for up to 90 seconds  • Maximum Friction mode requires the challenge to even edit or delete a rule  The harder you make it, the less often you'll bother. WEBSITE BLOCKING  Block specific domains or all adult content. Website blocks follow the same friction rules as app blocks. PREVENT DELETION  Turn on Prevent Deletion to stop yourself from uninstalling Friction during an active session. DESIGNED FOR SELF-CONTROL  Friction is not a parental control app. It's a tool for adults who want to set their own boundaries and actually keep them. You make the rules. Friction enforces them. Friction Premium unlocks location-based rules, multi-time blocking, unlimited schedule rules, and more. Available as a monthly and yearly subscription. • Frictionº Monthly: $4.99 • Frictionº Yearly: $19.99 Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Terms of Use: https://getfriction.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://getfriction.app/privacy

About

Loop Focus

Features
Read full description

a minimal focus timer that helps you build deep work habits — without the noise. Start a session, pick a tag, and focus. Loop runs quietly in the background, tracking your time through the Dynamic Island and Lock Screen. When you're done, your session is saved automatically. - Simple by design : No Pomodoro pressure. No forced breaks. Just a clean timer that stays out of your way and lets you work at your own pace. - Tags for every kind of work: Create custom tags — Study, Work, Exercise, Reading, or anything else. See exactly where your time goes. - Stats that actually mean something: Weekly and monthly charts show your focus patterns at a glance. - Built for your rhythm: Night owl? Set a custom day boundary (e.g. 3 AM) so your late-night sessions count toward the right day. - Always within reach: Live Activity, Home Screen widget, Apple Watch companion app. - iCloud sync: Your sessions sync automatically across all your devices via iCloud. Start a session on your iPhone, check your stats on another device — everything stays in sync.

Screenshots

Friction°4 screens
Loop Focus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Loop Focus at none against Friction°'s 4. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Friction° sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Loop Focus asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Friction° versus Loop Focus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFriction°Loop Focus
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.217.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatthew HarderYoungshin Son

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Friction°

Subscriptions4
  • Frictionº Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Frictionº Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Frictionº Yearly3 Days trial$19.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Frictionº Yearly$19.991 Year
None

Loop Focus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Friction° free?
Friction° is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Loop Focus free?
Loop Focus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Friction° or Loop Focus have ads?
Neither Friction° nor Loop Focus shows ads.

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