Comparison

Barrier vs Focus Fly

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

About

Focus Fly

Features
Read full description

Turn focus into flight. Focus Fly is a Pomodoro timer where every focus session is a real flight between airports. Pick a destination whose flight time matches your session, check in, choose your seat and a cabin soundscape, then focus while your plane crosses the map. Give up early and the flight is cancelled. Land, and the passport stamp is yours. HOW IT WORKS • Pick a destination: a short hop or a long-haul, the route matches your session length • Check in with your boarding pass and choose a seat • Focus while your flight runs live on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island • Quit early = flight cancelled. Just enough pressure to keep you going • Land to collect a passport stamp for that city FEATURES • Atlas: a 3D globe of every route you've flown, with total miles • Cabin soundscapes: cabin hum, rain, white noise, night flight, ocean • Planned Flights: schedule recurring study sessions and get a boarding reminder • Stats, streaks and achievements to keep the habit alive • Focus categories: tag sessions for study, work, reading or anything else • Leaderboard: see how your focus time stacks up • A retro-aviation design you'll actually want to open FIRST CLASS (OPTIONAL) Focus Fly is free with unlimited flights. First Class adds the full soundscape pack, unlimited focus categories and advanced stats. Choose monthly, annual (includes a 7-day free trial) or a one-time lifetime purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple ID. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Perfect for studying, deep work, writing, coding and beating procrastination. Ready for takeoff? Terms of Use: https://cansev.wtf/focus-fly/en/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://cansev.wtf/focus-fly/en/privacy/

Screenshots

Barrier4 screens
Focus Fly4 screens

Verdict

The call

Barrier and Focus Fly are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Barrier sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Focus Fly sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Barrier versus Focus Fly: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBarrierFocus Fly
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB68 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSavelii VeprevMUHAMMED EREN CANSEV

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Barrier

Subscriptions2
  • Premium for week$2.997 Days
  • Premium for month$4.991 Month
One-time1
  • Premium Forever$9.99
3 purchases

Focus Fly

Subscriptions2
  • Focus Fly Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Focus Fly Pro Yearly7 Days trial$6.991 Year
One-time1
  • Focus Fly Pro Lifetime$14.99

Questions

Is Barrier free?
Barrier is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Focus Fly free?
Focus Fly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Barrier or Focus Fly have ads?
Neither Barrier nor Focus Fly shows ads.

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