Comparison

unhookd vs Luvu

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

Head to head
About

unhookd

This app helps you break phone habit by blocking distracting apps by default. You intentionally choose when to access them through scheduled slots or quick peeks, promoting focus and mindful usage.

Highlights
  • Default-locked apps
  • Scheduled access slots
  • Mindful 'peek' feature
  • Healthy friction prompts
  • Usage insights and score
  • Focus on intentional use
Read full description

Your phone is designed to hook you. Notifications. Autoplay. Infinite scroll. unhookd is the antidote: the first app that blocks your distracting apps by default, 24/7. No willpower. No time limits you'll override. Just apps that stay blocked until you decide otherwise. —————————————————————— DEFAULT-LOCKED APPS The moment you install unhookd, your chosen apps are blocked. Around the clock. SLOTS Schedule recurring windows for when apps become accessible e.g. YouTube on Weekdays from 6-7pm PEEKS Need quick access outside a Slot? Set a duration (max 20m), pick a reason, get in, and get locked out when the time's up. INSIGHTS & SCORE See when, why, and how often you peek. Build real awareness of your digital habits. —————————————————————— All other screen-time apps: Apps available all day → you decide when to block unhookd: Apps blocked by default, 24/7 → you decide when to access That shift changes everything. Use unhookd to: → Stop opening Instagram or TikTok "just to check" → Protect deep work, study time, or creative flow → Be more present with the people who matter → Actually follow the rules you set for yourself "I've been using unhookd for a couple weeks now, and it has been amazing! I only use it for social media, and it has taken my daily average from 3.5 hours down to only 20 minutes a day! Works wonders for me, thank you." - JP Boyd Stop scrolling on autopilot. Block distractions by default. Use your phone with intention. —————————————————————— Terms of Use: https://www.unhookd.app/tos Privacy Policy: https://www.unhookd.app/privacy-policy

About

Luvu

This app helps you control screen time and boost productivity by blocking distracting apps and launching focus sessions. It uses gamification and emotional coaching to help you break bad habits and build healthier routines.

Highlights
  • Auto-enforced focus sessions
  • Distraction blocking
  • Personalized habit building
  • Game-like retention
  • Emotional accountability
  • Daily rituals and wins
Read full description

Luvu is the #1 app for controlling screen time and supercharging your productivity, mental health, and day-to-day clarity. This emotional little marshmallow blocks distracting apps, launches focus sessions, negotiates when you try to cheat, and rewards you for reclaiming your life, one mindful moment at a time. You’ll spend over 25 years of your life on your phone! With Luvu, you start getting that time back. Using a mix of distraction blocking, gamification, social accountability, and emotional coaching, Luvu helps you break doomscroll habits, stay present, and build healthier routines that finally stick. Thousands of people have already transformed their digital lives and Luvu is ready to help you do the same. What you get with Luvu: • Auto-enforced focus sessions – Set a goal, start a session, and Luvu locks down your distracting apps. If you try to leave early, you’ll… have to negotiate with him. • Distraction blocking – Block social media (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, ...), games, messages, or any apps you choose—instantly or on a schedule. • Personalized habit building – Luvu learns your patterns, strengths, and weak moments, then adjusts difficulty and support to help you reduce screen time day by day. • Game-like retention – Earn XP for staying focused, unlock emotes, activate “Ultra Focus Mode,” and save your streak with clever streak-savers. • Emotional accountability – Luvu can be supportive, snarky, disappointed-in-you, or full chaotic gremlin. Whatever keeps you off TikTok. • Daily rituals and wins – Tiny dopamine hits for staying present, avoiding doomscroll spirals, and building intentional routines. • Friendly rivalries & milestones – Compare today’s screen time vs your past self (and optionally friends), and earn badges for big victories . • Customizable experience – Choose Luvu’s vibe, strictness level, negotiation style, and celebration energy. Whether you’re starting fresh, trying to reclaim your attention, or chasing your best digital self, Luvu makes staying focused weirdly fun. Why Luvu? • Built to stick. Smart pacing, adaptive difficulty, and reward momentum help you stay focused more days in a row than you ever have. • A personality that motivates. Luvu isn’t just a blocker—he’s your needy, dramatic accountability buddy who really wants you to succeed. • Effortless protection. Once you set your boundaries, Luvu enforces them. You just show up. • Progress you can feel. Watch your screen time drop, your habits strengthen, and your sense of control return. Try Luvu Plus Upgrade to Luvu Plus for premium perks: unlimited streak savers, advanced blocking rules, exclusive coaching voices, deeper customization, and faster progression. Start with a free trial to unlock the full power of your tiny digital bodyguard. Subscription details: If you choose to purchase Luvu Plus, payment will be charged to your Apple account, and your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Auto-renewal can be turned off anytime from your account settings. Any unused portion of a free trial, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Privacy Policy: luvufit.com/privacy Terms of Service: luvufit.com/tos

Screenshots

unhookd4 screens
Luvu4 screens

Verdict

The call

unhookd and Luvu both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of unhookd's written reviews are positive against 37% of Luvu's. Luvu's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. unhookd sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Luvu sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for unhookd against 4.6 for Luvu. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Luvu has 308 ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of unhookd's written reviews are positive against 37% of Luvu's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

unhookd ships an update every 3 weeks, Luvu every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
unhookd versus Luvu: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterunhookdLuvu
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (18 ratings) — better4.6 (308 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better36.8% of reviews
Number of ratings18308 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB174 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperunhookdLuvu

Customer experience

unhookd

All ratings18 ratings
Positive94.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Luvu

All ratings308 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral2.9%
Negative5.8%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive36.8%
Neutral15.8%
Negative47.4%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

unhookd

Subscriptions7
  • unhookd Pro3 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • unhookd Pro3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • unhookd Pro3 Days trial$6.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • unhookd Pro3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • unhookd Pro3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • unhookd Pro7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • unhookd Pro3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time3
  • unhookd Pro$49.99
  • unhookd Pro$129.99
  • unhookd Pro$149.99
10 purchases

Luvu

Subscriptions10
  • Luvu Plus3 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Luvu Plus7 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Luvu Plus3 Days trial$39.991 Year
Show 7 more
  • Luvu Plus$39.991 Year
  • Luvu Plus7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Luvu Plus$59.991 Year
  • Luvu Plus7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Luvu Plus3 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Luvu Plus3 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • Luvu Plus7 Days trial$79.991 Year

Questions

Is unhookd free?
unhookd is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Luvu free?
Luvu is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, unhookd or Luvu?
unhookd is rated higher. unhookd averages 4.7 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Luvu averages 4.6 from 308 ratings.
Do unhookd or Luvu have ads?
unhookd shows ads; Luvu does not.
Which is updated more often, unhookd or Luvu?
unhookd ships an update every 3 weeks, and Luvu every 4 days. Most recently, unhookd was updated on September 22, 2026 and Luvu on October 14, 2026.

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