simpleblocker by recursn vs Pirates
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
simpleblocker by recursn
This minimalist app blocks your screen time to help you focus. It performs its single function effectively without collecting any user data. Designed for simplicity and privacy.
- Minimalist design
- App blocking functionality
- Screentime reduction
- Data privacy focused
- Single function optimization
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a minimalistic app blocker, that seeks only to serve that one function well. Does not collect data.
Pirates
Take back control of your time by blocking distracting apps and websites. Utilize a focus timer with custom soundscapes to enhance productivity. Enjoy a fun, engaging experience with unique characters and ships while gaining clear insights into your progress.
- App and website blocking
- Focus timer with Pomodoro
- Customizable soundscapes
- Engaging character and ship designs
- On-device blocking via Screen Time API
- Progress insights
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A cozy Pomodoro timer with a crew of cat pirates. Start a focus round, sail with your cats, and earn gold when the timer ends. Your distracting apps stay locked until you're done. No accounts, no ads, no tracking. A TIMER THAT FEELS LIKE A GAME • Pick your focus and break lengths, or use the classic 25/5 • Earn gold every time a round ends, not at the end of the week • Recruit 7 cats, dress them in 170+ outfits, and decorate your ship and camp • Come home to a cozy camp with a hammock, a campfire, and cats wandering around while you work BUILT FOR DISTRACTED BRAINS • One big button to start. No setup, no to-do list first • Short rounds with a visible timer, so time stops feeling invisible • Streaks start at 1 day, so a bad week never wipes you out • Mix your own ambient sound: waves, rain, fireplace, lo-fi, and a purring cat KEEPS YOUR PHONE QUIET • Optional app and website blocking with iOS Screen Time. No VPN, no servers • You pick which apps lock during a round. Calls and texts always work • Quit a round early and you lose the reward. Hard mode locks the timer so you can't end it early MORE ON DECK • Live Activity keeps the timer on your lock screen and Dynamic Island • Three daily missions arrive in your mailbox and pay extra gold • Climb 11 pirate ranks from Deckhand to Legend of the Seven Seas • The Captain's log charts every focus minute PERFECT FOR • Students who want study sessions to feel less lonely and more finished • ADHD brains that do better with short rounds and instant rewards • Writers, developers, and anyone whose work needs long stretches of focus PRICING A monthly subscription, an annual subscription with 14 days free, or a one-time lifetime purchase. All unlock the full app. No ads, ever. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your progress stays on your phone. No account, no ads, no tracking. The lock runs on your device through Apple's Screen Time, and your app choices never leave it. The only things the app sends out are anonymous usage statistics and crash reports. Terms of Use: https://cachepapi.github.io/pirates-legal/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://cachepapi.github.io/pirates-legal/privacy/ Study with cat pirates. Your first voyage awaits, Captain!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: simpleblocker by recursn at none against Pirates's 3. Pirates's advantage is ratings volume (12 vs 1) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.2). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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
Both are free to download. Pirates sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. simpleblocker by recursn asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for simpleblocker by recursn against 5.0 for Pirates. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pirates has 12 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
| Parameter | simpleblocker by recursn | Pirates |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (12 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 12 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Every 4 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 26.2 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 0 MB | 160 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Andy Phu | John Jang |
Customer experience
simpleblocker by recursn
Pirates
In-app purchases
simpleblocker by recursn
No in-app purchases
Pirates
- Monthly$3.991 Month
- Annual14 Days trial$19.991 Year
- Lifetime$29.99









