# BrainFree vs Read First

The clearest difference is ads: Read First at none against BrainFree's shown. Read First also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 6 weeks) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. BrainFree sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Read First sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

BrainFree ships an update every 6 weeks, Read First every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BrainFree | Read First |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainfree-stop-doom-scrolling/id6759558932/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **3** | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 25 MB | 71 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26 | **16.4** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The App, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1838432658) | [Matt Lamborne](https://appshunter.io/developer/1894724703) |

## What reviewers say

### BrainFree

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainfree-stop-doom-scrolling/id6759558932)

Regain control of your phone usage by blocking distracting apps and websites. Schedule focused work or personal time with customizable templates or build your own. Protect your attention and reclaim your day from endless scrolling.

**Highlights:** Block distracting apps and websites, Schedule focus time, Ready-made and custom schedules, App locking, Deep focus mode, Website blocking, App usage time limits

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BrainFree Pro | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| BrainFree Pro | $7.99 | per month |
| BrainFree Pro | $19.99 | per year |


### Read First

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/read-first/id6809058128)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BrainFree free?

BrainFree is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Read First free?

Read First is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do BrainFree or Read First have ads?

BrainFree shows ads; Read First does not.

### Which is updated more often, BrainFree or Read First?

BrainFree ships an update every 6 weeks, and Read First every 6 days. Most recently, BrainFree was updated on October 31, 2026 and Read First on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*