Comparison

Aura vs Deny

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

Head to head
About

Aura

Features
Read full description

Aura is a gentle focus timer for ADHD minds — built for people who freeze up at aggressive productivity apps. Most focus apps treat your brain like a discipline problem. Loud alarms. Big red STOP buttons. Guilt when you break a streak. For a lot of us, that just adds shame to the spiral. Aura does the opposite. It's calm, quiet, and forgiving — designed around how focus actually works for neurodivergent minds. WHAT MAKES AURA DIFFERENT A timer that flows with you Start a 25-minute session with a soft breathing visual. When time's up, there's no alarm — the timer simply keeps counting up if you're still in flow, with a quiet "Going further" label. You stop when you're ready. A gentle 90-minute cap reminds you to rest. Streaks without the shame Build a 7-day streak and celebrate real milestones. Miss a day? It just resets to 1 — no guilt messages, no "you ruined your streak." Progress, not punishment. Daily intention Set one clear focus each morning. No endless to-do lists — just the single thing that matters right now. Share your focus Turn a finished session into a beautiful card — overlay your stats on your own photo and share to Instagram Stories, Messages, anywhere. Your focus, your way. Self-compassion, not hustle culture Calming quotes and gentle check-ins instead of "crush your goals" pressure. "Rest is resistance." "Your nervous system is sending a message: slow down." WHO AURA IS FOR - Adults with ADHD who struggle with task initiation and overwhelm - Students who need a calm study timer that won't add anxiety - Anyone tired of productivity apps that feel like a threat Aura is a sanctuary for focus. No pressure. No shame. Just presence. — Aura offers an optional Premium subscription (monthly or yearly with a 7-day free trial). You can use Aura's core focus sessions without subscribing. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Deny

This app helps you regain focus by blocking distracting applications. It requires a friend's approval to unlock apps, fostering accountability and making screen time limits stick. Take back your attention with a collaborative approach to digital well-being.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps and sites
  • Schedule app blocking
  • Daily time limits for apps
  • Friend approval required for unlocks
  • Temporary unlock with countdown
  • Collaborative progress tracking
Features
Read full description

Deny locks the apps that waste your time — and puts a friend in charge of the key. Most screen-time apps fail for one reason: the moment you want back in, you just tap "ignore limit." Deny removes that escape hatch. Block your most distracting apps, and when you want to unlock them, you have to ask a friend to approve it. HOW IT WORKS • Build block groups — pick the apps and sites to lock, on a schedule or a daily time limit. • Stay locked. Blocked apps are shielded by iOS, so there's no sneaking past them. • Allow temporary unlocks — give yourself a set number of minutes, with a live countdown showing exactly when apps re-lock. • Bring in friends. Connect with an invite code, then ask a friend for screen time. They approve or deny — you stay accountable. • See each other's progress and keep one another honest. WHY DENY • Friends make it stick. Accountability beats willpower. • Honest by design — no one-tap "ignore." • Private. Your data is yours; we never sell it or use it for ads. Deny uses Apple's Screen Time (Family Controls) features to block apps on your own device. Take back your attention — together.

Screenshots

Aura4 screens
Deny4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Deny at none against Aura's 2. Aura's advantage is iOS requirement (16.1 vs 18.0). On price, ads and device support 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. Aura sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Deny asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Aura versus Deny: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAuraDeny
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.1 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAnar AskarovaStepAI K.K.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Aura

Subscriptions2
  • Aura Premium Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Aura Premium Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
None

Deny

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Aura free?
Aura is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Deny free?
Deny is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Aura or Deny have ads?
Neither Aura nor Deny shows ads.

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