Comparison

Arc vs Luvu

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

Head to head
About

Arc

This app helps you regain control of your screen time by setting session limits and providing smart nudges for your to-do lists. It offers advanced analytics to understand your scrolling habits and offers AI-powered recommendations for improvement.

Highlights
  • Session limits for automatic breaks
  • Smart nudges for to-do reminders
  • Integrated to-do lists
  • Advanced session analytics
  • AI-powered recommendations
  • Bedtime mode with sleep reminders
Features
Read full description

THE ARC DIFFERENCE Arc doesn't just block apps - it redirects your attention with a powerful three-part system: - Session Limits: Automatic breaks when a session has reached the set limit. No more unintentional doomscroll sessions. Daily limits are not helpful when the problem is getting sucked into the scroll hole and not realizing it. That's why we built session limits! - Smart Nudges: Gentle reminders about your to-dos while you scroll - Integrated To-Do Lists: Track what really matters, all in one place - Advanced Analytics: Track every session with precision. See exactly when you close apps yourself (exits) vs. when the timer saves you (lockouts). Discover your most addicting apps through unblock tracking, identify your best and worst self-control patterns, and get AI-powered recommendations tailored to YOUR behavior. No more guessing where to improve, the data shows you exactly which apps need stricter limits, where you're building great habits, and actionable steps to reduce your screen time based on real patterns, not generic advice or behavior patterns. HOW IT WORKS Select your distracting apps (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, etc.) Add your daily tasks and goals Get Nudged with your to-do tasks when you're mindlessly scrolling Session Limits create automatic breaks after extended sessions Watch scrolling turn into productivity BUILT FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE Set your bedtime to switch from productivity Nudges to Sleep Reminders. Arc adapts to help you make better use of your time all day long. PERFECT FOR: People who unconsciously doomscroll and want to stop Professionals who lose focus to social media Students procrastinating on assignments Anyone who wants to build healthy daily habits Scroll Goblins People tired of feeling guilty after doomscrolling START SEEING RESULTS Reclaim hours of your day Complete the tasks you've been avoiding Track scrolling habits through intelligent insights Build habits that stick Rebuild a healthy relationship with social media Feel accomplished, not guilty Download Arc and turn scrolling into productivity. Your goals are waiting. Terms of Use (EULA): https://arcapp.io/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://arcapp.io/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

Arc4 screens
Luvu4 screens

Verdict

The call

Arc and Luvu both sit at 4.4 stars, but that hides the real split: 64% of Arc's written reviews are positive against 37% of Luvu's. Luvu's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks) and ratings volume (308 vs 25). On price, rating, ads 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. Arc sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days 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

Luvu holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Luvu has 308 ratings behind it against 25, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 64% of Arc's written reviews are positive against 37% of Luvu's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Arc ships an update every 2 weeks, Luvu every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Arc versus Luvu: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArcLuvu
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (25 ratings)4.6 (308 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.6% of reviews — better36.8% of reviews
Number of ratings25308 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB174 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperArc Labs LLC (MT)Luvu

Customer experience

Arc

All ratings25 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative12.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive63.6%
Neutral9.1%
Negative27.3%

Luvu

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

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Arc

Subscriptions3
  • Arc Pro (Weekly)$5.997 Days
  • Arc Pro Monthly$8.991 Month
  • Arc Pro (Annual)3 Days trial$49.991 Year
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 Arc free?
Arc 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, Arc or Luvu?
Luvu is rated higher. Arc averages 4.4 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while Luvu averages 4.6 from 308 ratings.
Do Arc or Luvu have ads?
Neither Arc nor Luvu shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Arc or Luvu?
Arc ships an update every 2 weeks, and Luvu every 4 days. Most recently, Arc was updated on October 9, 2026 and Luvu on October 14, 2026.

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