Comparison

unhookd vs Habits First

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

Habits First

This app blocks distracting applications until you complete your daily habits. It uses integrations with health trackers and other apps to automatically monitor your progress. Unlock your favorite apps by building healthier routines and reducing screen time.

Highlights
  • App blocking until habits are done
  • Integrates with Apple Health and trackers
  • Customizable habit goals
  • Built-in Pomodoro timer
  • Schedule-based blocking
  • Optional cross-device syncing
Features
Read full description

Do the thing, then scroll. Habits First is the most effective way to reduce your screen time - distracting apps stay blocked until your habits are done for the day. No accounts required and no subscriptions, forever. Willpower shouldn’t cost a monthly fee. HABITS SUPPORTED - Walk 10,000 steps, or any number you like - Work out 45 minutes - integrates with Apple Watch, WHOOP, Garmin, Oura, or any tracker - Meditate 10 minutes, from Calm, Headspace, Insight Timer, or any meditation app - Use an app you pick: read or use Duolingo for 20 minutes - Built in Pomodoro timer or manual habit check off - Review your Anki flashcards (Habits Pro) - Listen or read books on Audiobookshelf (Habits Pro) - Finish a game on Chess.com (Habits Pro) - Apple Shortcuts automations (Habits Pro) - More coming A block can ask for one habit, all of them, or any two of three. HOW IT WORKS Habits are automatically tracked via integrations such as with Apple Health. Apps you select are blocked until you finish your habits. When you're done, open the app to activate your unlock. WHY IT WORKS The idea is based off the Premack Principle - things you do often can help reinforce things that you do rarely. By habit stacking a difficult habit before an app you often use, you also hijack the addictive nature of distracting apps and turn that motivation towards your daily habits. WHEN IT APPLIES All day until your habits are done, on a schedule, only in certain places, or near a device you pick. Habits First helps you wake up into a calm phone screen, only unlocked after you finish your most important habits of the day. PRICING This app will never have a subscription fee. The core app is free forever: Apple Health goals, app timers, schedules, places, commitment locks, and as many blocks as you like. One small one-time purchase adds habit widgets and the extra integrations. More will be added in the future (feel free to request them) SYNCING You can make an account if you would like to sync your habits and blocks across devices. This is not required. Created by @reysu on YouTube

Screenshots

unhookd4 screens
Habits First4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Habits First at none against unhookd's shown. Habits First also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and ratings volume (194 vs 20). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases 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 Habits First sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Habits First holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Habits First has 194 ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of unhookd's written reviews are positive against 95% of Habits First's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

unhookd ships an update every 3 weeks, Habits First weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
unhookd versus Habits First: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterunhookdHabits First
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (20 ratings)4.9 (194 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better94.9% of reviews
Number of ratings20194 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperunhookdEric Su

Customer experience

unhookd

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

Habits First

All ratings194 ratings
Positive97.9%
Neutral0.5%
Negative1.5%
Written reviews99 reviews
Positive94.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative2.0%

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
1 purchases

Habits First

One-time1
  • Habits Pro$9.99

Questions

Is unhookd free?
unhookd is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Habits First free?
Habits First is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, unhookd or Habits First?
Habits First is rated higher. unhookd averages 4.8 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Habits First averages 4.9 from 194 ratings.
Do unhookd or Habits First have ads?
unhookd shows ads; Habits First does not.
Which is updated more often, unhookd or Habits First?
unhookd ships an update every 3 weeks, and Habits First weekly. Most recently, unhookd was updated on October 30, 2026 and Habits First on November 1, 2026.

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