Comparison

Friction vs Mortality

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

Mortality

Features
Read full description

Mortality is a new tab extension that reminds you of your precise age. A bitter-sweet motivational tool; it illustrates how little time we have. By default, circles represent months, for the average lifespan of 78 years. As you age, the circles fill, and are split into the main Chapters of your life.

Screenshots

Friction4 screens
Mortality3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Mortality at none against Friction's 8. On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. Mortality asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Friction ships an update every 6 days, Mortality every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Friction versus Mortality: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFrictionMortality
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (333 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews23.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings333 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterEvery 8 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS18.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size65 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTalkUp LLCMatt Ao

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
None

Mortality

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Friction free?
Friction is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Mortality free?
Mortality is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Friction or Mortality have ads?
Neither Friction nor Mortality shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Friction or Mortality?
Friction ships an update every 6 days, and Mortality every 8 days. Most recently, Friction was updated on November 9, 2026 and Mortality on November 6, 2026.

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