Comparison

Dewey vs FocusGuard

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

Head to head
About

Dewey

Features
Read full description

People's names. People's pet's names. Membership numbers. Where you put the dang batteries. Write it down once and forget about it. No folders. No tags. No organizing of any kind. When you need it back, just ask Dewey. How it works: - Jot down a quick note and save. Feels like sending a text. - Ask Dewey anything about your notes, in plain language, and get the answer. - Want to browse? Your whole library is searchable on your own, anytime. Capture from anywhere: - A home screen widget shows your latest notes at a glance. - Add Dewey to your iPhone's Action Button to jump straight to a new note. Stop trying to be organized. Just write it down. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

FocusGuard

Features
Read full description

Take back your time. FocusGuard blocks the apps that pull you in, and makes sure the block holds when your willpower doesn't. THE PROBLEM Most of us unlock our phones dozens of times a day, usually without deciding to. The apps are built to keep you scrolling, and a simple time limit is one tap away from "Ignore". Blocking only works if it's hard to undo. THE SOLUTION FocusGuard is built on Apple's Screen Time, so blocks are enforced by iOS itself. You choose how strict to be, from a gentle pause to a session that can't be cancelled. HOW IT WORKS 1. Tell us your goal. A short setup builds your plan: a daily focus goal, a starter schedule and the apps that distract you most. 2. Block in one tap. Start a focus session from a quick preset or with Siri. 3. Pick your strictness. Flexible allows a mindful pause, Focus asks for a 30-second challenge to quit, Strict can't be ended early. 4. Watch your streak grow. Every focused day counts toward your streak, gems and milestones. WAYS TO BLOCK • Focus Sessions: block the apps and sites you choose for a set time • Schedules: block automatically on the days and hours you pick, including overnight • Daily App Limits: give social apps a daily budget. When it's spent, they lock until midnight • Always On: keep apps blocked until you turn it off • Dumb Phone Mode: allow only the few apps you truly need. Everything else locks • Sleep Mode: distractions lock automatically at bedtime HARD TO BACK OUT OF • Strict Mode: no cancel button. One Emergency Pass per week for real emergencies • Mindful Pause: one slow breath and a reason before a short, timed unlock. Apps lock again on their own • See how many times you resisted today, right on the block screen • PIN and uninstall protection against impulse decisions STAY MOTIVATED • Focus Score: your progress toward today's focus goal • Weekly focus charts, streaks, evolving gems and milestones • Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets, plus a Live Activity while you focus • Siri and Shortcuts: start focusing or lock apps hands-free • Focus sounds: white, pink and brown noise WHY FOCUSGUARD IS DIFFERENT • Blocks are enforced by iOS Screen Time, not a reminder you can swipe away • No VPN profile, no account, no ads • FocusGuard never sees which apps you use. Apple keeps that private, and your data stays on your iPhone FREE • Unlimited Flexible focus sessions with Mindful Pause • 1 schedule plus Sleep Mode, and 1 daily app limit • Streaks, Focus Score, widgets and 7-day stats FOCUSGUARD PRO • Focus and Strict difficulty • Dumb Phone Mode • Unlimited schedules and app limits • PIN and uninstall protection • 30-day history and focus heatmap Pro is available as a weekly, monthly or yearly auto-renewable subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in Settings → your name → Subscriptions. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Dewey3 screens
FocusGuard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: FocusGuard at none against Dewey's 1. Dewey's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. Dewey sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. FocusGuard asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dewey ships an update every 11 days, FocusGuard every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences Ā· 4 level
Dewey versus FocusGuard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDeweyFocusGuard
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.4 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size83 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDendric LLCerdem caygor

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Dewey

Subscriptions1
  • Dewey Patron$4.991 Month
None

FocusGuard

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Dewey free?
Dewey is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FocusGuard free?
FocusGuard is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Dewey or FocusGuard have ads?
Neither Dewey nor FocusGuard shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Dewey or FocusGuard?
Dewey ships an update every 11 days, and FocusGuard every 2 months. Most recently, Dewey was updated on October 24, 2026 and FocusGuard on October 24, 2026.

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