Comparison

SelfBlock vs Foccus

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

Head to head
About

SelfBlock

Features
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Every blocker fails the same way: you turn it off. SelfBlock doesn't let you. When you try to open a blocked app, a friend gets the request โ€” and they decide. No friend available? Ask the anonymous community instead. Someone always answers. โ–บ BUDDY SYSTEM When you try to open a blocked app, your buddy gets a request. They set the time and decide for you. They can respond instantly from a notification or Apple Watch. โ–บ COMMUNITY MODE Don't want to assign a friend? Get anonymous support from the community. A random user reviews your request. Your identity stays hidden. โ–บ 5 BLOCKING MODES โ€“ Full Block: Completely prevent app access โ€“ Schedule: Auto-block during work, study, or sleep hours โ€“ Usage Limit: Set daily time limits per app โ€“ Open Limit: Control how many times you open an app โ€“ Solo Mode: Manage with your own willpower โ–บ BLOCK ANY APP Block YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, X (Twitter), Facebook, Reddit, WhatsApp, Discord and any distracting app or website. โ–บ LIVE FOCUS TRACKING โ€“ Daily focus moment counter and day streak โ€“ Weekly report with progress summary โ€“ Daily check-in to track your mood โ€“ Home screen widgets and Live Activity support โ–บ APPLE WATCH Approve or reject requests from your wrist. Track focus stats right from your watch face. โ–บ CUSTOM SHIELD THEMES Personalize your block screen with 6 themes and custom colors. โ–บ STRICT MODE Prevent bypassing blocks with PIN code, wait timer, or time lock. Extra protection options: block app installs, deletions, and in-app purchases. โ–บ PRIVACY FIRST SelfBlock uses Apple's Screen Time API (Family Controls). Your data stays on your device. No tracking, no ads. โ–บ FREE TO START Download free and start using right away. Go Pro for unlimited buddy and community mode, custom themes, weekly reports, strict mode, and more. SelfBlock works as a screen time blocker, app blocker, phone addiction tool, digital detox app, focus timer, social media blocker, dopamine detox aid, website blocker, app lock, and productivity tool. Compatible with Apple Watch and Home Screen widgets. Terms of Use: https://ismailpalalii.github.io/selfblock-site/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://ismailpalalii.github.io/selfblock-site/privacy.html

About

Foccus

Features
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Can't put your phone down? It's not your fault. Those apps were designed to keep you inside. Foccus was designed to keep them out. Foccus turns focusing into a game: shake your phone โ€” and 3 randomly picked apps from your list get locked. Who's going? Instagram, TikTok, or that game you can't quit? Luck decides. That's why every session starts with the thrill of a lottery draw. THE REST IS UP TO YOU While the timer runs, your locked apps are off limits โ€” try to open one and you'll hit a shield. Hold out, and every screen-free minute turns into points. Finish the session and the points, streak and badges are yours. Give up early... and your streak resets. Simple, fair, ruthless. HOW IT WORKS โ€ข Pick the apps that can be locked โ€” just once โ€ข Shake your phone (or tap the dice) โ€ข 3 random apps get locked for 30 min to 3 hours โ€ข Resist, earn points, level up EVERYTHING THAT KEEPS YOU PLAYING โ€ข Points: every screen-free minute = 1 point, multiplied by completion bonuses and streaks โ€ข Daily streaks: complete a session every day and watch your multiplier grow โ€ข 6 levels: start as a Rookie, rise to Zen Legend โ€ข 8 badges to collect: from First Step to the 1,000 Minute Club โ€ข Screen-Free Time stats: the exact opposite of screen time โ€” charts of the minutes you spent away from your phone THE SERIOUS PART Foccus is built on Apple's official Screen Time technology. The lock is real: you can't swipe it away or bargain for "5 more minutes." Watch the countdown live in the Dynamic Island โ€” even when the app is closed. PRIVACY? ZERO DATA. Apple never tells us which apps you picked โ€” so we couldn't share it even if we wanted to. No account, no sign-up, no ads, no tracking. Everything stays on your device. WHO IS IT FOR? โ€ข Students who reach for their phone mid-study session โ€ข Professionals who "just check something" and lose 40 minutes โ€ข Night scrollers glued to the screen before sleep โ€ข Everyone who started a digital detox and quit on day three โ€” this time, the game is on your side Stop fighting your screen time. Turn it into a game and win. Shake. Lock. Focus. SUBSCRIPTION & PURCHASE Foccus Pro unlocks unlimited focus sessions. The free version includes one session per day. โ€ข Foccus Pro Monthly: auto-renewable subscription, 1 month โ€ข Foccus Pro Yearly: auto-renewable subscription, 1 year โ€ข Foccus Pro Lifetime: one-time purchase, not a subscription Both subscriptions start with a 3-day free trial. Prices are shown in the app in your local currency. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. A subscription renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and your account is charged within 24 hours prior to the end of that period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you buy a subscription. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://luqalab.com/app/shake-and-focus/en/privacy-policy.txt

Screenshots

SelfBlock4 screens
Foccus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Foccus at weekly against SelfBlock's monthly. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. SelfBlock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per month and Foccus sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SelfBlock ships an update monthly, Foccus weekly. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference ยท 5 level
SelfBlock versus Foccus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSelfBlockFoccus
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyMonthlyWeekly โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, Apple Watch โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.617.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size58 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerismail Hakki PalaliAhmet Tek

In-app purchases

3 purchases

SelfBlock

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$4.491 Month
  • Pro Yearly3 Days trial$27.491 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$82.99
3 purchases

Foccus

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Yearly3 Days trial$23.491 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$44.99

Questions

Is SelfBlock free?
SelfBlock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Foccus free?
Foccus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SelfBlock or Foccus have ads?
Neither SelfBlock nor Foccus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SelfBlock or Foccus?
SelfBlock ships an update monthly, and Foccus weekly. Most recently, SelfBlock was updated on October 25, 2026 and Foccus on October 25, 2026.

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