Comparison

Friction vs OnFocus

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

Head to head
About

Friction

This app helps you break free from mindless scrolling by requiring you to complete quick physical challenges before accessing distracting apps. Earn scrolling time through exercise and build healthier digital habits with a privacy-first approach.

Highlights
  • Complete physical challenges to earn screen time
  • Connect to Screen Time for app control
  • Track progress and build discipline
  • Privacy-first design with on-device detection
  • Breaks impulsive scrolling loops
  • Customizable app blocking
Features
Read full description

Friction helps you stop doomscrolling by making screen time intentional. Instead of opening distracting apps automatically, Friction asks you to complete a quick challenge first. Do a few push-ups, squats, or a plank, and earn scrolling time on purpose. How it works: • Connect Screen Time and choose the apps you want to control • Complete short physical challenges to unlock access • Earn minutes based on reps and track your progress • Build better habits through small, repeatable actions Why Friction: • Breaks impulsive scrolling loops • Turns “just 5 minutes” into a conscious choice • Helps you train discipline daily, not occasionally • Clean, fast flow designed for real-world use Privacy-first by design: • Exercise detection runs on-device • We do not collect, store, or share your Screen Time data • Challenge processing stays local to your device If you’re serious about reducing mindless scrolling and reclaiming your focus, Friction is built for you. Subscription notice: • Friction uses an auto-renewable subscription to access paid features • Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase • Subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period • You can manage and cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings If you’re serious about reducing mindless scrolling and reclaiming your focus, Friction is built for you. TERMS: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

OnFocus

Read full description

OnFocus helps you make distraction expensive again. Instead of opening distracting apps whenever the urge hits, OnFocus gives you a simple loop: complete a short mission, earn a few minutes, and spend that balance only in the apps you chose to make harder to access. When your balance runs out, the wall comes back. How it works Complete a short mission Earn minutes instantly Spend them only in blocked apps Hit zero, and the lock returns automatically OnFocus is built around a visible tradeoff. You always know how many minutes are left, what you can do next, and why the next unlock has been earned. What you’ll find inside A visible time bank for your available minutes Short reward loops with immediate unlocks Movement, reset, and body-based activities Stats and sessions to make progress visible Challenges and ready-made templates to make starting easier OnFocus doesn’t just block distractions. It helps you build a repeatable system: effort first, minutes after. Earn your scroll. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://onfocus.site/privacy

Screenshots

Friction4 screens
OnFocus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: OnFocus at 15.6 against Friction's 18.6. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Friction sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and OnFocus sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Friction ships an update every 6 days, OnFocus every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Friction versus OnFocus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFrictionOnFocus
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (319 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings319 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.615.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB94 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperTalkUp LLCLuca Ercolano

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Friction

Subscriptions8
  • Monthly Subscription$5.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription$7.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription$14.991 Year
Show 5 more
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Yearly Subscription3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Yearly Subscription$19.991 Year
  • Yearly Subscription$39.991 Year
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$39.991 Year
4 purchases

OnFocus

Subscriptions4
  • OnFocus Pro (Monthly)$2.991 Month
  • OnFocus Pro (Monthly)$3.991 Month
  • OnFocus Pro (Yearly)$24.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • OnFocus Pro (Yearly)$44.991 Year

Questions

Is Friction free?
Friction is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OnFocus free?
OnFocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Friction or OnFocus have ads?
Neither Friction nor OnFocus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Friction or OnFocus?
Friction ships an update every 6 days, and OnFocus every 5 days. Most recently, Friction was updated on October 14, 2026 and OnFocus on October 9, 2026.

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