Comparison

Friction° vs Earned

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

Earned

Features
Read full description

Every unlock begins with a commitment. Earned helps you break the scroll-first habit. Before you open the apps you love, you do something that matters — wash the dishes, read, work out, study — and only then earn a limited window of screen time. HOW IT WORKS 1. DECLARE A TASK Choose from dozens of built-in tasks across chores, wellness, learning, creativity, and more — or create your own with Earned Pro. 2. SET A TIMER Pick how long you'll focus. The timer cannot be paused or skipped. Your selected apps stay locked until time is up. 3. EARN YOUR APPS When the timer ends, you unlock a scroll window — screen time you've actually earned. When it's over, apps lock again until your next task. WHY EARNED IS DIFFERENT • Commitment-first — scrolling is the reward, not the default • No pause, no override — the timer runs until it's done • Real tasks, real streaks — build momentum day after day • Uses Apple's Screen Time APIs — locking happens on your device • Widgets & Live Activities — see your timer and progress at a glance FREE INCLUDES • Lock up to 3 apps • 1 app folder • Full task library • Streak tracking • Scroll window after each completed task EARNED PRO • Unlimited app locking • Unlimited app folders • Custom tasks & durations • Schedule tasks ahead of time • Full insights & streak history • Custom scroll window length PRIVACY Earned uses Apple's Screen Time and Family Controls frameworks to lock and unlock apps on your device. We do not sell your data. Screen Time usage data stays on your device. SUBSCRIPTIONS Earned Pro is available as a monthly or yearly auto-renewing subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation. Subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage subscriptions in Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://malachipatrick718.github.io/earned/privacy/

Screenshots

Friction°4 screens
Earned4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Earned at every 2 days against Friction°'s monthly. Earned also leads on iOS requirement (16.1 vs 18.2). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Friction° sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Earned sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Friction° ships an update monthly, Earned every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Friction° versus Earned: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFriction°Earned
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.216.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatthew HarderMalachi Patrick

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
2 purchases

Earned

Subscriptions2
  • Earned Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Earned Pro Yearly$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Friction° free?
Friction° is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Earned free?
Earned is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Friction° or Earned have ads?
Neither Friction° nor Earned shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Friction° or Earned?
Friction° ships an update monthly, and Earned every 2 days. Most recently, Friction° was updated on October 15, 2026 and Earned on October 24, 2026.

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