Comparison

Arc vs breakfree

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

breakfree

This app helps you regain control of your phone usage by blocking distracting apps and feeds. It allows you to stay connected through messages without endless scrolling, build focus streaks, and even engage in group focus sessions with friends. A virtual pet grows with your consistency, making habit building more visible and rewarding.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps and feeds
  • Access messages in a feed-free interface
  • Schedule focus sessions
  • Track focus streaks and progress
  • Group focus sessions with friends
  • Focus Pet companion for habit building
Features
Read full description

In today’s world, our relationships live on our phones. Messages, plans, and moments of connection all happen inside apps built to keep us scrolling. To stay connected, we’re forced to fight algorithms designed to steal our attention. BreakFree exists to change that. Block the noise. Remove distracting feeds and short-form content when you need to focus. Start a session instantly or schedule focus time ahead. Keep the connection. Access your messages in a clean, feed-free interface. Stay reachable through social media without getting pulled back into endless scrolling. Build momentum. Every focused session turns into streaks, momentum, and time saved. Progress you can see adds up faster than you think. Lock in together. Focus with friends, stay accountable, and create an environment that pushes everyone forward. Friendly competition. Shared wins. Turn focus into something social through group sessions and leaderboards. Focus Pet A small companion that grows with your consistency, because good habits feel better when they’re visible. BreakFree helps you stay present with the people that matter, without being consumed by the feed. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://breakfree.app/privacy

Screenshots

Arc4 screens
breakfree4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Arc at none against breakfree's shown. breakfree's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 weeks) and ratings volume (114 vs 25). 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. Arc sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days and breakfree sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 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 — 4.4 for Arc against 4.5 for breakfree. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 25 and 114 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of Arc's written reviews are positive against 70% of breakfree's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Arc ships an update every 2 weeks, breakfree weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Arc versus breakfree: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArcbreakfree
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (25 ratings)4.5 (114 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.6% of reviews70.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings25114 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.0 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB153 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperArc Labs LLC (MT)Roshan Kattil

Customer experience

Arc

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

breakfree

All ratings114 ratings
Positive87.7%
Neutral6.1%
Negative6.1%
Written reviews37 reviews
Positive70.3%
Neutral16.2%
Negative13.5%

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
2 purchases

breakfree

Subscriptions2
  • Breakfree Premium Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Ad Free7 Days trial$37.991 Year

Questions

Is Arc free?
Arc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is breakfree free?
breakfree is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Arc or breakfree?
breakfree is rated higher. Arc averages 4.4 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while breakfree averages 4.5 from 114 ratings.
Do Arc or breakfree have ads?
breakfree shows ads; Arc does not.
Which is updated more often, Arc or breakfree?
Arc ships an update every 2 weeks, and breakfree weekly. Most recently, Arc was updated on September 23, 2026 and breakfree on September 17, 2026.

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