Comparison

App Blocker for Distractions vs CTRL

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

Head to head
About

App Blocker for Distractions

Automatically block distracting apps when you arrive home, and unblock them when you leave. Offers customizable blocking styles and powerful unlock modes to help you regain focus and reduce screen time. Includes a weekly report and widgets for at-a-glance progress.

Highlights
  • Automatic geofence blocking at home
  • Customizable block styles (Always, Usage Limit, Schedule)
  • Advanced unlock modes (Cool Down, Lockout)
  • Focus Mode for blocking anywhere
  • Weekly screen time reports
  • Home and Lock Screen widgets
Features
Read full description

【Block distracting apps and make your home a place to focus】 Stop the scroll. Start living. You leave your phone alone all day when you're out. But the moment you get home, you're glued to it β€” scrolling social media, watching random videos, losing hours you'll never get back. Sound familiar? HOMU+ fixes this with one simple idea: it blocks distracting apps automatically when you're at home, and unblocks them when you leave. No willpower required. β—† How It Works 1. Set your home location β€” just once. 2. Choose which apps to block. 3. Walk through the door β€” blocking starts automatically. 4. Leave home β€” everything unlocks instantly. That's it. No timers to set. No buttons to press. HOMU+ uses iOS's battery-efficient geofencing, so it runs silently in the background. β—† 3 Block Styles - Always Block: Blocked the entire time you're home. Simple and powerful. - Usage Limit: Set a daily time limit. Once exceeded, apps are blocked. - Schedule: Block during specific hours, like "10 PM – 7 AM." Choose what fits your lifestyle. β—† Built for People Who Can't Stop Simple blocking isn't enough. We know β€” you'll just turn it off. That's why HOMU+ gives you two powerful locks: - Cool Down: Press unlock, then wait. The delay kills the impulse. - Lockout: No unlocking at all while you're home. Zero temptation. Choose your level of discipline. Change it anytime. β—† Focus Mode β€” Block Anywhere, Anytime Not at home? No problem. Tap "Focus Mode" to instantly block apps for a set time β€” like a Pomodoro timer. Perfect for studying at a cafe or working from the office. β—† Weekly Report β€” Every Monday - Your actual screen time vs. your age group's average - "Perfect Days" β€” days you never unlocked - Time saved, converted to money, sleep, books, and more It's motivating when you're winning. It's a wake-up call when you're not. β—† Widgets Add HOMU+ to your Home Screen or Lock Screen. See your block status and streak at a glance. A daily reminder that you're building a better habit. β—† All Features - Geofence Blocking: Auto-detect home entry/exit - 3 Block Styles: Always, Usage Limit, or Schedule - 3 Unlock Modes: 5s Hold, Cool Down, or Lockout - Weekly Screen Time Report with age group comparison - Home Screen & Lock Screen Widgets - Milestone Sharing - Focus Mode (Pomodoro-style, works anywhere) - Multi-Presets: Save "Work," "Study," "Day Off" settings - Adjustable home detection radius β—† Recommended For - People who waste hours on social media as soon as they get home - Students and professionals needing to focus on studies - Remote workers wanting to boost productivity at home - Anyone seeking a digital detox to improve sleep quality β—† Privacy First Your location data and app usage history never leave your device. Everything is processed locally on your iPhone. No accounts. No cloud. No tracking. Your home should be your sanctuary β€” not a screen time trap. Take back your time with HOMU+. 【Privacy Policy】https://omochisoft.github.io/homu_privacy.html 【Terms of Use】https://omochisoft.github.io/homu_terms.html

About

CTRL

Features
Read full description

CTRL is a focus timer, app blocker, and habit builder in one. The rule is simple: you earn credits by focusing, and you spend them to open the apps that steal your hours. Run out, and the scroll stops until you put in the work. It turns willpower into an economy so you don't have to rely on willpower at all. WHY CTRL WORKS WHEN OTHER FOCUS APPS DON'T Most productivity and screen time apps just block apps and hope you don't switch them off. CTRL doesn't fight your dopamine it puts a price on it. Every distraction costs credits you can only earn through real focused work. That's what makes the habit stick. FOCUS TO EARN β€’ Run focus sessions (25, 50, or 90 minutes) and bank credits β€’ Keep your phone face-down during a session for a +50% bonus β€’ Longer, distraction-free deep work pays the most β€’ Build a daily focus habit and track your time like a pro BLOCK THE APPS THAT EAT YOUR TIME β€’ Shield TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, X and more using Apple Screen Time β€’ Block distracting websites too, so Safari can't reopen the same feeds (Pro) β€’ The most addictive apps cost the most credits to open PAY TO OPEN β€” EVERY TIME β€’ Before a blocked app opens, CTRL asks why and charges you credits β€’ Every "I'm bored" tap is logged, so you get a real distraction tracker for your worst habits β€’ See your triggers and take back control of your attention RECOVERY MODE FOR THE HARD DAYS β€’ Binge patterns automatically trigger a fairer economy: earn more, spend less β€’ Miss a day and a freeze covers your streak β€” built to catch the spiral, not punish it HONEST BY DESIGN β€’ Credits are earned by focusing never bought with money β€’ Your Screen Time data never leaves your device. CTRL can't see which apps you use. β€’ No ads. No tracking. No account or login required. MADE FOR Anyone fighting phone addiction, doomscrolling, and procrastination students, founders, writers, remote workers, and anyone who wants focus, productivity, and self-control on their own terms. A focus app, app blocker, screen time limiter, distraction blocker, and habit tracker rolled into one. CTRL PRO Upgrade to block unlimited apps and websites, schedule unlimited unlock windows, and more. Monthly or annual, with a 7-day free trial on the annual plan. Use it, but pay for it.

Screenshots

App Blocker for Distractions4 screens
CTRL4 screens

Verdict

The call

App Blocker for Distractions and CTRL are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters β€” price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them β€” neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. App Blocker for Distractions sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and CTRL sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

App Blocker for Distractions ships an update every 2 weeks, CTRL every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
App Blocker for Distractions versus CTRL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterApp Blocker for DistractionsCTRL
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviewsβ€”
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks β€” betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumβ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.617.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size5 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKOTARO OMORIJibran Ahmed

In-app purchases

5 purchases

App Blocker for Distractions

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly Plan$3.991 Month
  • 3-Month Plan7 Days trial$9.993 Months
  • Yearly Plan (Special Offer)$26.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$69.99
2 purchases

CTRL

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is App Blocker for Distractions free?
App Blocker for Distractions is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CTRL free?
CTRL is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do App Blocker for Distractions or CTRL have ads?
Neither App Blocker for Distractions nor CTRL shows ads.
Which is updated more often, App Blocker for Distractions or CTRL?
App Blocker for Distractions ships an update every 2 weeks, and CTRL every 3 weeks. Most recently, App Blocker for Distractions was updated on October 8, 2026 and CTRL on October 5, 2026.

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