Comparison

Focus App Blocker vs Potato Mode

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

Head to head
About

Focus App Blocker

This app helps you reclaim lost time by blocking distracting applications during focused work or study sessions. It removes tempting shortcuts and builds positive habits through a streak system, making productivity feel automatic.

Highlights
  • Block any app or website
  • Focus timer with Pomodoro
  • Customizable Focus Profiles
  • Session Journaling
  • Weekly Focus Reports
  • Streak Insurance
  • Home screen widgets
Features
Read full description

Your phone is built to keep you scrolling. StrictBlock is built to help you stop. Pick the apps that pull you in, start a focus block, and they stay locked until you're done. No willpower contests, no "just one more minute". It's the dopamine detox that turns your iPhone into a dumb phone when you need it, and back again when you don't. WHY PEOPLE USE STRICTBLOCK • Block distracting apps with Apple's Screen Time, so blocks are hard to skip • Schedule focus time for mornings, study sessions or phone-free evenings • Pomodoro-style focus blocks with a goal for each one • Streaks that build a real habit, and trophies you can share • See the hours you take back, every week • Home screen widgets for your streak and today's focus BUILT FOR Students cramming for exams. People doing deep work. Anyone trying to quit doomscrolling, cut social media, or simply be present with the people around them. PRIVATE BY DESIGN No ads. No account needed. No data sold. FAIR PRICING Start free. Pro is available monthly, yearly or as a one-time lifetime purchase, for a fraction of what other app blockers charge. Eligible new subscribers can try Pro free for 7 days. Local prices and offer eligibility are shown before purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the period. Manage or cancel in your App Store account settings. Lifetime is a one-time purchase. LEARN MORE Tips, guides and the story behind StrictBlock: https://www.strictblock.app Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy: https://www.strictblock.app/privacy Support: https://www.strictblock.app/support

About

Potato Mode

Features
Read full description

Potato Mode — App Blocker Put your phone down. Go full potato. Potato Mode helps you block distracting apps using your iPhone's built-in Screen Time — no account, no subscription, no data ever leaving your device. Just a sleepy little potato and a lot fewer doom-scrolling sessions. Three ways to block: Couch Mode — Tap the potato to instantly block your selected apps right now. Tap again when you're ready to come back. Simple. Schedules — Set recurring block windows that run automatically. Block social media every night from 10 PM to 7 AM, or set a work focus window on weekdays. Your phone, your rules. Usage Limits — Give yourself a daily time budget per app group. When you've used up your 30 minutes of TikTok and Instagram for the day, Potato Mode cuts you off automatically. Private by design. Potato Mode never asks for an account, never collects data, and never phones home. Everything runs entirely on your device using Apple's Screen Time API. Free. Always. No paywalls, no premium tier, no ads. If Potato Mode helps you reclaim your time, consider buying us a coffee — but there's no pressure. Ready to go full potato?

Screenshots

Focus App Blocker4 screens
Potato Mode4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Potato Mode at none against Focus App Blocker'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. Focus App Blocker sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per 7 days. Potato Mode asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Focus App Blocker versus Potato Mode: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocus App BlockerPotato Mode
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPaul ContrerasMatthew Zychowicz

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Focus App Blocker

Subscriptions3
  • Pro Weekly Access3 Days trial$1.497 Days
  • Pro Monthly Access7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Pro Annual Access$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime Access$19.99
None

Potato Mode

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Focus App Blocker free?
Focus App Blocker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Potato Mode free?
Potato Mode is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Focus App Blocker or Potato Mode have ads?
Neither Focus App Blocker nor Potato Mode shows ads.

Other comparisons