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

Control your device usage by blocking distracting apps and websites. Set schedules, timers, or use NFC/QR codes to start and end focus sessions. Track your progress and gain insights into your device habits.

Highlights
  • Block apps and websites
  • Create custom profiles
  • Schedule recurring sessions
  • NFC and QR code activation
  • Track focus time and streaks
  • Hard Mode for minimum lock time
  • Timed breaks
Features
Read full description

Block distracting apps and websites with TezBlock. Choose the apps you want to block, create a profile, and pick how to start and end your session. Use a timer, set a schedule, or scan an NFC tag or QR code. BLOCKING • Create profiles for work, study, and evenings. • Block selected apps and websites, or allow only the ones you choose. • Schedule recurring sessions. • Set a minimum lock time with Hard Mode. • Take timed breaks, then return to your session. PROGRESS • Track focus time, completed sessions, and streaks. • See device usage on Home after granting Screen Time access. • Use widgets, Live Activities, and Siri shortcuts. OPTIONAL CONNECTIONS Sign in to use Friends and synced session history. An account is not required for local blocking and stats. You can also sync explicit website blocklists to the separate TezBlock for Mac companion on the same iCloud account. NFC methods require a compatible iPhone and an NFC tag. QR methods require a code to scan. NFC tags are optional and sold separately. Timer and manual methods work without tags. MEMBERSHIP TezBlock is free to download. An active membership unlocks all blocking methods, unlimited profiles, schedules, breaks, and insights. Monthly and yearly plans are available. Prices and any eligible free trial are shown before purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the current trial or billing period ends. Manage or cancel in your App Store account settings. Use Restore Purchases to recover an active subscription or an existing lifetime purchase. An 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 weekly against HoldOn's every 2 months. TezBlock also leads on ratings volume (23 vs 1). HoldOn's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and review sentiment (100% vs 90%). 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 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 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 23 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 90% of TezBlock's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HoldOn ships an update every 2 months, TezBlock weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
HoldOn versus TezBlock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHoldOnTezBlock
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.8 (23 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better90.0% of reviews
Number of ratings123 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.617.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB84 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 ratings23 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

HoldOn

Subscriptions1
  • Hold On Pro$3.991 Month
10 purchases

TezBlock

Subscriptions6
  • TezBlock Pro Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • TezBlock Monthly$3.991 Month
  • TezBlock Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • TezBlock Yearly$24.991 Year
  • TezBlock Yearly7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • TezBlock Pro Annual7 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time4
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Tip the Developer$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Large Tip$9.99

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 23 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 weekly. Most recently, HoldOn was updated on October 31, 2026 and TezBlock on November 9, 2026.

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