Comparison

Merit. vs Median

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

Head to head
About

Merit.

Features
Read full description

Show up. Apps unlock. Merit blocks distracting apps until you physically arrive at the places that matter — the gym, library, office, or anywhere you commit to being. No timers, no willpower needed. Just show up. HOW IT WORKS • Set a commitment: pick a location, choose which apps to block, and set your schedule • When your commitment activates, selected apps are blocked • Walk to your location — Merit detects your arrival via GPS and unlocks your apps • Build streaks by showing up consistently TWO BLOCKING MODES • Block Until Arrival — apps stay locked until you show up (perfect for getting yourself to the gym) • Block While At Location — apps lock only while you're there (perfect for staying focused at the library) ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS Invite a friend to join your commitment. See when they show up. Hold each other accountable. Because it's easier to skip when nobody's watching. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS • Daily streaks and weekly progress • See how often you show up to each location • Monthly history and unlock records FREE TO START • 1 commitment with up to 3 blocked apps • Join shared commitments from friends • Full streak and stats tracking MERIT PRO • Unlimited commitments and locations • Unlimited blocked apps • Create shared commitments • Custom themes, fonts, and app icons MERIT PRO PRICING Merit Pro is available as a monthly subscription ($6.99/month, introductory offer: $0.99 for the first month) or annual subscription ($49.99/year). A lifetime purchase is also available. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple ID account settings. Privacy Policy: https://usemerit.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://usemerit.app/terms

About

Median

This app helps you break free from mindless scrolling when you wake up. It allows you to select apps that distract you and delays their access until your morning routine is complete. Track your progress and build healthier habits with personalized insights.

Highlights
  • Delay access to distracting apps
  • Customizable morning routine duration
  • Track Morning Score and history
  • Receive motivational morning notes
  • Privacy-focused design
  • Integrates with Apple Screen Time
Features
Read full description

Not everything deserves immediate access to you. HOW IT WORKS Choose the apps that tend to pull you in when you wake up. Choose when your morning can begin and how long it lasts. From then on, Median starts on its own the first time you pick up your phone, and those apps wait until your morning is done. Nothing to remember, nothing to switch on. EVERYTHING ELSE STILL WORKS Alarms, calls, messages, maps and music stay on. Only the scrolling has to wait. WHEN YOU REACH ANYWAY Median doesn't just put up a wall. It asks one honest question: was there a reason, or did your hand just go? Then it offers something better to do with the moment. If you still want in, you can open the app. Median shows what that costs your streak or your Morning Score first, and the choice is yours. WATCH THE HABIT CHANGE Every morning is recorded, started on your terms or not. Your Morning Score and history show the pattern over weeks, so you can see the habit break for good. A GOOD THOUGHT INSTEAD If you like, Median sends one note the first time you pick up your phone: motivation, grounding, or a line from your faith tradition. One a morning, never more. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Median works through Apple's Screen Time. It never learns which apps you chose, never sees what you do in them, and never records your screen. SUBSCRIPTION Median is a subscription with two plans. Yearly: a 7-day free trial, then billed once a year. Monthly: billed each month, cancel whenever you want. Prices for your region are shown in the app before you subscribe. Payment is charged to your Apple Account when you confirm the purchase, or when the free trial ends. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and your account is charged for the renewal within 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel any time in your Apple Account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Median Terms: https://usemedian.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://usemedian.app/privacy Independently made.

Screenshots

Merit.4 screens
Median4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Median at 17.4 against Merit.'s 26.2. 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. Merit. sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Median sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Merit. ships an update every 3 days, Median every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Merit. versus Median: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMerit.Median
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Subscription
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS26.217.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB78 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperMerit Apps LLCJOHN JOSEPH GRECO

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Merit.

Subscriptions2
  • Merit Pro Monthly7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Merit Pro Annual$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Merit Pro Lifetime$149.99
2 purchases

Median

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Yearly7 Days trial$34.991 Year

Questions

Is Merit. free?
Merit. is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Median free?
Median is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Merit. or Median have ads?
Neither Merit. nor Median shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Merit. or Median?
Merit. ships an update every 3 days, and Median every 2 days. Most recently, Merit. was updated on October 25, 2026 and Median on October 22, 2026.

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