SimpoFocus vs Barrier
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SimpoFocus
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Simbo keeps your focus sessions calm, simple, and rewarding. Pomodoro made easy: Start focus blocks, choose short or long breaks, and stay on pace with gentle reminders. Simulation-style progress: Every finished session earns in-app coins you can spend later—there are no real-money purchases. Coin economy: Save your focus coins, stake them in the in-app bank, and watch the balance grow with passive interest as you keep studying. Interest system: Daily streaks boost the rate; logging in on time helps you collect extra rewards. Home upgrades: Visit the “Room” tab to buy decorations, furniture, and even invite special companions—each item marks a new productivity milestone. Student-built for everyone: Designed by a student who needed a simple focus buddy; no ads, no clutter, just a clean timer. Offline first, optional sync: Works entirely offline. Turn on iCloud sync to carry your coins, stats, and room design to other Apple devices. Start a session, earn coins for every block you finish, invest wisely, decorate your virtual space, and stay motivated day after day.
Barrier
This app helps you regain control over your phone usage by creating a physical barrier to accessing distracting applications. Instead of simply closing apps, it requires you to wait a set amount of time with your phone face down before granting temporary access, prompting reflection on your digital habits.
- Select apps to limit
- Automatic app locking
- Face-down phone wait for unlock
- Temporary app access
- Customizable wait times (5-60 seconds)
- Unlimited apps with paid version
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Most blockers simply close apps. One tap and you’re back to scrolling. This app works differently. To open social media, you have to put your phone face down and wait. From 5 to 60 seconds — you choose. There’s no “cancel” button. You just sit there, staring at the back of your phone. In those seconds, your brain snaps out of autopilot. You remember that you actually had things to do. And you realize — is this feed really worth a minute of your life? Most of the time — it’s not. This isn’t blocking. It’s a physical barrier that brings back control. How Barrier works: 1. Choose apps → Select the apps you want to limit 2.Auto-blocking → Apps are locked automatically 3.Unlock → Put your phone face down for a set time 4.Temporary access → Apps become available for a limited time Paid features: - Unlimited apps and category (Free: 5 apps or 1 category) Privacy Policy: https://sabellus.github.io/portal/privacybarrier.html Terms of Use: https://sabellus.github.io/portal/termsbarrier.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SimpoFocus at none against Barrier's 3. 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
Both are free to download. Barrier sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. SimpoFocus asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | SimpoFocus | Barrier |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 3.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 11 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Efe Turkel | Savelii Veprev |
In-app purchases
SimpoFocus
No in-app purchases
Barrier
- Premium for week$2.997 Days
- Premium for month$4.991 Month
- Premium Forever$9.99
