Comparison

Refocus vs ScreenFuel

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

Head to head
About

Refocus

Features
Read full description

Focus is not just about willpower. It can be designed. Refocus is a focus timer created with inspiration from scientific research on attention, breaks, and cognitive load. Today, our minds are constantly exposed to stimulation from smartphones, social media, notifications, videos, and endless streams of short information. When your mind is still filled with that noise, simply starting a traditional focus timer may not be enough to help you switch into a focused state. Refocus begins by preparing the state before focus. First, you take a short break to let your mind cool down and settle. Before the break, you can write down one small thing you want to do afterward. This helps you stop holding the next task in your head while resting, and makes it easier to return to work smoothly when the break ends. Refocus is not just about dividing time. It is about resting, clearing your mind, remembering what comes next, and returning to focus. Main features: ・A focus timer designed with scientific insights in mind ・A unique workflow that starts with a break ・A simple note feature to write down what you will do after the break ・A smooth flow that helps you return to focus after resting ・A simple cycle of focus and break sessions ・Calming animations and a minimal interface Recommended for people who: ・Take time to get into focus ・Feel mentally scattered after using smartphones or social media ・Forget what they were going to do after taking a break ・Want to reset their mind before starting work ・Prefer a simple and calm timer app ・Want to enter focus naturally, without forcing it Rest first. Clear your mind. Leave your next task behind. Then return to focus. Refocus is a timer designed to help create a state where focus can happen more naturally.

About

ScreenFuel

This app helps you reclaim lost time by blocking addictive app features and rewarding focused behavior. It gamifies discipline, offering challenges and focus modes to build healthier digital habits and track personal growth.

Highlights
  • Targeted distraction blocking
  • Earn in-app rewards for focus
  • 30-day and 75-day challenges
  • Customizable focus modes
  • Habit tracker for goals
  • Exercise-based screen time rewards
  • Integrated growth tools
Features
Read full description

Your phone is stealing five hours from you every day. ScreenFuel helps you take them back—by blocking the scroll, rewarding your focus, waking you up properly, and turning discipline into a game you’re built to win. ABOUT SCREENFUEL Most screen-time apps show you a report. You feel bad. Then nothing changes. ScreenFuel works differently. It removes the most addictive parts of your apps—infinite feeds, Reels, Shorts, and algorithmic distractions—while keeping the features you need. You can still message someone. You just can’t fall into the vortex. Every minute you stay focused helps you earn in-app Fuel. Reducing screen time becomes a game you want to play—not a punishment you avoid. RESULTS SCREENFUEL USERS SEE • 2+ hours of screen time saved per day • 30-day average streak after 60 days • 73% complete their first 30-day challenge HOW SCREENFUEL WORKS TARGETED DISTRACTION BLOCKING Hide infinite feeds, Shorts, and Reels without losing access to the rest of your apps. You keep the tool. You lose the trap. EARN FUEL FOR YOUR FOCUS Spend less time on distracting apps, earn in-app Fuel, and use it to unlock intentional screen time when you choose. ALARMS THAT ACTUALLY WAKE YOU UP Set your alarm, choose a mission, and complete it when the alarm rings. There’s no mindless tapping and falling back asleep. To stop the alarm, you must get up and do something. Choose from different wake-up missions, including shaking your phone, exercise, dancing, boxing, and mental challenges. Ignore the alarm, leave ScreenFuel, or try to go back to sleep—and it comes right back. No more half-awake snoozing. Your morning begins when you do. 30-DAY & 75-DAY CHALLENGES Go all in. ScreenFuel’s structured challenges help break the scrolling reflex and rebuild your daily habits from the ground up. FOCUS MODES Nightly Lockdown, Morning Focus, and Work Mode block selected apps at the right time. Build phone-free mornings and protect your deep-work hours without constantly relying on willpower. HABIT TRACKER Track hydration, steps, workouts, reading, studying, or any custom goal. Build your discipline stack and watch your streaks grow. EXERCISE-BASED APP TIMER Want more screen time? Earn it. Set limits on distracting apps and unlock extra minutes by completing push-ups, squats, lunges, jumping jacks, diamond push-ups, squat holds, or sit-ups. ScreenFuel uses pose detection to count every rep. Your screen time Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Refocus4 screens
ScreenFuel4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Refocus at none against ScreenFuel's 2. On price, update cadence, 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. ScreenFuel sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Refocus asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Refocus ships an update every 3 weeks, ScreenFuel fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Refocus versus ScreenFuel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRefocusScreenFuel
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB206 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperHiroki NishikawaVYZE TECH LLP

In-app purchases

None

Refocus

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

ScreenFuel

Subscriptions2
  • Fuel Pro$4.997 Days
  • Fuel Pro3 Days trial$34.991 Year

Questions

Is Refocus free?
Refocus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ScreenFuel free?
ScreenFuel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Refocus or ScreenFuel have ads?
Neither Refocus nor ScreenFuel shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Refocus or ScreenFuel?
Refocus ships an update every 3 weeks, and ScreenFuel fortnightly. Most recently, Refocus was updated on October 3, 2026 and ScreenFuel on October 7, 2026.

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