Comparison

HoldOn vs TezBlock

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

Head to head
About

HoldOn

This app intervenes when you open distracting applications, offering a variety of rotating messages to help you break the cycle of mindless scrolling. It tracks your usage, identifies your scroll type, and provides weekly reports without locking your device.

Highlights
  • Rotating nudges to prevent habituation
  • Identifies user's scroll type
  • Weekly usage reports
  • Pause nudges for specific periods
  • Tracks app opens and resistance instances
  • No device locking or timers
Read full description

Willpower doesn't work against an algorithm built by thousands of engineers. So Hold On doesn't ask for willpower. Every time you open Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or Snapchat, Hold On steps in with a nudge - a different nudge based on the moment Most screen time apps show you the same block screen so often you stop reading it after day three. Hold On has 500+ nudges that rotate so it never gets old, and never gets ignored. HOW IT WORKS Open a distracting app → Hold On shows up first, always. Read the nudge (funny, sharp, sometimes a little mean, never preachy). Decide: close the app, or continue in. Keep scrolling? Hold On comes back — every 5 minutes or so, not just once. So you are never left to Doomscroll FIND YOUR SCROLL TYPE After a week of app usage we find out your scroll type — The Night Owl, The Weekend Goblin, The Alarm Clock, and more. Share it with friends YOUR WEEKLY REPORT See exactly how much time went to which apps, how many times you opened them, and how many times you actually resisted. No shame, just the numbers. GOING SOMEWHERE? Pause nudges for a day, a weekend, or however long you need. So you dont need to uninstall the app all together, just Pause the nudges FREE VS PRO - Free: track and get nudged on 1 app. - Pro: unlimited apps, full nudge variety, full weekly reports. Hold On doesn't lock your phone or set a timer counting down to a fight with yourself. It just makes sure you never open distracting apps on autopilot again. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Terms of Use: https://hold-on-web.vercel.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://hold-on-web.vercel.app/privacy

About

TezBlock

This app introduces physical friction to block distracting applications. Instead of tapping 'Ignore Limit' on screen time warnings, use NFC tags or QR codes placed away from your device to lock apps. Set timers or schedules for focused work or study sessions.

Highlights
  • Block apps with NFC tags
  • Block apps with QR codes
  • Customizable timers for focus sessions
  • Automated blocking schedules
  • Manual blocking with friction
  • Block app categories and websites
  • Unlimited focus profiles
Features
Read full description

Make room for real life with TezBlock. Block distracting apps and websites, create focus routines, and see your progress—all in a calm woodland space. FOCUS YOUR WAY • Start a session with a timer or manual controls. • Use an NFC tag or QR code to make unlocking a deliberate action. • Create profiles for work, study, and downtime. • Set recurring schedules and optional breaks. • Follow your streak, focus sessions, and activity in Stats. • Focus with friends, share progress, and use widgets and Siri shortcuts. Core blocking works without an account. Sign in only if you want Friends and synced session history. NFC modes require a compatible iPhone and NFC tag. QR modes require a code to scan. No dedicated TezBlock hardware is required. MEMBERSHIP TezBlock is free to download. Membership unlocks all blocking modes, unlimited profiles, schedules, breaks, and insights. Eligible new subscribers get one month free, then $1.99/month or $19.99/year in the U.S. Local prices may vary. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the trial or billing period ends. Manage or cancel in App Store settings. One introductory offer per subscription group. Past subscription payments do not grant lifetime access. Use Restore Purchases to recover an active subscription or an existing lifetime purchase. Existing subscriptions are not canceled automatically. The optional developer tip does not unlock features. Privacy: https://tezblock.app/privacy.html Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

HoldOn4 screens
TezBlock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: TezBlock at every 11 days against HoldOn's every 2 months. TezBlock also leads on ratings volume (16 vs 1). HoldOn's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 86%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. HoldOn sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per month and TezBlock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HoldOn holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TezBlock has 16 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of HoldOn's written reviews are positive against 86% of TezBlock's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HoldOn ships an update every 2 months, TezBlock every 11 days. Both last shipped on October 3, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
HoldOn versus TezBlock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHoldOnTezBlock
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.8 (16 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better85.7% of reviews
Number of ratings116 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.617.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB219 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperPardhasaradhi TirumalasettiGandzhiya Edaliva

Customer experience

HoldOn

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

TezBlock

All ratings16 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

HoldOn

Subscriptions1
  • Hold On Pro$3.991 Month
3 purchases

TezBlock

Subscriptions2
  • TezBlock Pro Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • TezBlock Pro Annual7 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Tip the Developer$1.99

Questions

Is HoldOn free?
HoldOn is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TezBlock free?
TezBlock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, HoldOn or TezBlock?
HoldOn is rated higher. HoldOn averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while TezBlock averages 4.8 from 16 ratings.
Do HoldOn or TezBlock have ads?
Neither HoldOn nor TezBlock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HoldOn or TezBlock?
HoldOn ships an update every 2 months, and TezBlock every 11 days. Most recently, HoldOn was updated on October 3, 2026 and TezBlock on October 3, 2026.

Other comparisons