Comparison

AppBlock vs FrictionBlock

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

Head to head
About

AppBlock

Features
Read full description

Block the apps that waste your time, by schedule, by daily limit or by location. AppBlock uses Apple's Screen Time system, so a blocked app shows a shield screen when you open it. Pick the apps that distract you, then choose how to block them. CHOOSE HOW TO BLOCK โ€ข Quick Block: choose your apps and start a focus session in one tap. A countdown shows how long is left. โ€ข Schedules: block apps during work, study, dinner or bedtime. Set the days and the time ranges. โ€ข Usage limits: set how long you can use an app each day. When your time is up, the app is blocked. โ€ข Open limits: allow only a few opens per day. The blocked screen shows how many opens you have left. โ€ข Location blocking: block apps when you are at a place you choose, like school, the library or the office. You can also block them when you are away from it. SEE WHERE YOUR TIME GOES Start by guessing your daily screen time, then see the real number. Insights show your screen time and your most used apps by day for free. Weekly and monthly views come with Premium. BUILT FOR REAL LIFE Stop doomscrolling at night. Study without your phone pulling you away. Keep dinner phone free. Switch off work apps when you get home. PRIVACY The apps you choose stay private. Apple's Screen Time system keeps your list hidden from us, and your schedules and limits are stored on your device. HOW IT WORKS 1. Allow Screen Time access once 2. Pick the apps that distract you 3. Start Quick Block, or set a schedule, a limit or a place 4. Get your time back FREE AND PREMIUM AppBlock is free to start. The free plan includes 4 hour Quick Block sessions, schedules on one day, a few usage, open and location rules, and daily Insights. Premium adds more rules, longer usage limits, schedules on several days, 24 hour Quick Block sessions, and weekly and monthly Insights. Try Premium free for 7 days, then choose monthly or yearly. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS โ€ข Premium is an auto-renewing subscription, billed monthly or yearly โ€ข Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase โ€ข The subscription renews automatically unless you turn it off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period โ€ข Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period โ€ข Manage or cancel in your Apple Account settings โ€ข Any unused part of a free trial is lost when you buy a subscription Privacy Policy: https://o9tech.com/appblocker/privacypolicy.html Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Support: support@o9tech.com

About

FrictionBlock

Features
Read full description

FrictionBlock is a gentle screen time and focus helper that adds a pause before opening distracting apps, so you can decide whether it is an intentional choice or just muscle memory. Hard blockers are easy to disable when they feel too strict. FrictionBlock is softer: choose the apps that pull you in, then add a small moment of friction before opening them. Use it for social media, video, shopping, games, or any app you open on autopilot. Key features: - Add friction before selected apps - Start free with one app - Upgrade to add more apps - Choose a short pause window - See how many times you chose not to open today - No account required - Local-first privacy - Built on Apple's Screen Time APIs FrictionBlock cannot read your private messages, passwords, browsing content, or what you do inside other apps. Your selected apps and pause stats stay on device. FrictionBlock is not a medical device and does not diagnose, treat, or cure ADHD or any health condition. It is a lightweight focus tool for building more intentional phone habits. Auto-Renewable Subscription Information: 1. Subscription: FrictionBlock Premium (Yearly) 2. Length: 1 year. During an active subscription period, you can unlock Premium features such as managing more than 1 distracting app. 3. Price: USD 19.99 per year (or the equivalent local price shown in the App Store). A one-time Lifetime purchase (USD 39.99 or local equivalent) is also available and is not auto-renewable. 4. Payment: Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. 5. Cancellation: To cancel auto-renewal, turn it off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period in Settings โ†’ Apple ID โ†’ Subscriptions. After cancellation, no further charges will be made for that subscription. If you do not cancel at least 24 hours before renewal, the subscription renews automatically. 6. Renewal: Within 24 hours before the current period ends, Apple will charge your Apple ID and extend Premium by one year upon successful payment. 7. Privacy Policy: https://baitemi.com/frictionblock/privacy 8. Terms of Use / Subscription Terms: https://baitemi.com/frictionblock/terms

Screenshots

AppBlock4 screens
FrictionBlock4 screens

Verdict

The call

AppBlock and FrictionBlock are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters โ€” price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them โ€” neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. AppBlock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and FrictionBlock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
AppBlock versus FrictionBlock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAppBlockFrictionBlock
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsโ€”
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.017.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size46 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSaif Ur RehmanBeijing Baitemi Technology Co., Ltd

In-app purchases

2 purchases

AppBlock

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Premium$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Premium$49.991 Year
2 purchases

FrictionBlock

Subscriptions1
  • Yearly$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is AppBlock free?
AppBlock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FrictionBlock free?
FrictionBlock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do AppBlock or FrictionBlock have ads?
Neither AppBlock nor FrictionBlock shows ads.

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