Comparison

Halo vs AVOW

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

Head to head
About

Halo

This app automatically limits distracting applications when you enter predefined locations like your desk or library. It helps you achieve focus for studying, deep work, or sleep without relying solely on willpower. Set up custom zones and track your progress towards healthier screen habits.

Highlights
  • Location-based focus zones
  • Automatic app blocking
  • Customizable screen time goals
  • Streak tracking for consistency
  • Preset focus modes (Study, Deep Work, Sleep)
  • Dark theme support
Features
Read full description

Halo helps you stay focused by turning places into focus zones. When you're in a zone like your desk, library, or bedroom, distracting apps are automatically limited. No willpower required. Just set it and forget it. HOW IT WORKS • FOCUS ZONES: Draw zones on a map (home, office, café, campus) and set when they’re active. Focus mode turns on when you’re there. • APP BLOCKING: Block social media, video, games, and other distracting apps—only in your zones. Uses Apple Screen Time, so you stay in control. • SCREEN TIME GOALS: Set daily limits and see how you’re doing. Your Halo level reflects your progress. • STREAKS: Build streaks with daily check-ins. Stay consistent and grow your streak over time. STUDY • DEEP WORK • SLEEP Use presets for Study, Deep Work, or Sleep—or create custom zones with your own rules. PERFECT FOR • Students studying at the library or at home • Workers doing deep work at the office • Anyone who wants healthier screen habits • People who struggle with phone distractions Dark theme. Simple setup. Your data stays on your device. Premium subscription required to unlock zone-based blocking, unlimited focus zones, screen time stats, focus streaks, and background enforcement. Free trial available; subscriptions auto-renew until cancelled and can be managed in your Apple ID settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

AVOW

This app transforms focused work into a visually growing virtual world. Track your progress, earn rewards, and collaborate with friends to build shared spaces. Customize your experience and stay motivated with detailed session results.

Highlights
  • Gamified focus sessions
  • Virtual world building
  • Collaborative focus with friends
  • Detailed progress tracking
  • Customizable themes and sounds
  • Cross-device compatibility
Features
Read full description

Make time for the work that matters. Have something to show for it. AVOW turns your focus into a world you can grow. Light up New York, climb Mount Fuji, connect constellations and collect the places you complete. Work on your own or invite friends into a Circle and build together. STAY ON TASK Computer Work uses camera and screen checks to help you stay present and focused. Once your work is first verified, optional sound reminders call you back when you get distracted. On a supported desktop browser, keep the floating timer beside your work so your status and growing Space are always close by. WATCH YOUR WORK TAKE SHAPE Every verified minute adds to your Space. Illuminate cities, reach summits, cross bridges, grow flowers and build illustrated neural connections. Progress saves as you work. Finish a destination and move to the next one without ending your session. FOCUS WITH FRIENDS Create a Circle, invite friends and grow a shared Space together. Keep each other accountable, see each other's progress and add friendly competition to your study or work routine. SEE HOW FAR YOU'VE COME Keep your session results, focused hours, best days, streaks and activity heatmap in one place. Earn stamps and emblems for your milestones. Your Monthly Wrapped brings your month's work and achievements together. PHONE, IPAD AND COMPUTER Use the same AVOW account across devices. Open avowfocus.com/work on your computer for Computer Work, then follow the connection steps on your phone or iPad. You can also work directly in a supported desktop browser. YOUR WAY TO WORK Choose your Space, theme, Home Screen icon and sound. Set a timed session or work without a countdown. For a timer without camera checks or Verified rewards, choose Untracked Work. PRIVACY Camera checks happen on your device. AVOW does not record camera video. Screen checks, account services and optional social features have separate data practices explained in our Privacy Policy. SUBSCRIPTION An active subscription is required to use AVOW. Choose monthly or yearly. The yearly plan includes a 7-day free trial for eligible new subscribers. The monthly plan is billed immediately. Your local price and trial eligibility are shown before purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation or after an eligible trial ends. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage or cancel in your Apple Account subscription settings. Spaces, distances, elevation and growth are virtual illustrations of focus, not physical activity or biological measurements. Support: https://avowfocus.com/support Privacy: https://avowfocus.com/privacy Terms: https://avowfocus.com/terms Apple Standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Halo4 screens
AVOW4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Halo at free with in-app purchases against AVOW's subscription. Halo also leads on ratings volume (15 vs 3). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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. Halo sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and AVOW sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 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 — 5.0 for Halo against 5.0 for AVOW. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Halo has 15 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Halo ships an update every 9 days, AVOW every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Halo versus AVOW: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHaloAVOW
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (15 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings15 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB97 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHalo Labs LLCAhmed Khalafalla

Customer experience

Halo

All ratings13 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

AVOW

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Halo

Subscriptions2
  • Halo Pro Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Halo Pro Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year
2 purchases

AVOW

Subscriptions2
  • AVOW Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • AVOW Pro Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Halo free?
Halo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AVOW free?
AVOW is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Halo or AVOW?
Halo and AVOW are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 15 and 3 ratings respectively.
Do Halo or AVOW have ads?
Neither Halo nor AVOW shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Halo or AVOW?
Halo ships an update every 9 days, and AVOW every 8 days. Most recently, Halo was updated on October 30, 2026 and AVOW on November 6, 2026.

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