Normal vs Habits First
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Normal
This app helps you reduce phone usage by blocking selected applications by default. To access blocked apps, you must physically scan an NFC tag, QR code, or barcode, or be at a specific location. It offers granular control, timed unblocks, and scheduling to help you regain control of your screen time.
- Block apps via NFC, QR codes, and barcodes
- Use any NFC tag, QR code, or barcode
- Unblock/block specific apps
- Timed unblocks
- Scheduling
- Granular control
- Bypass prevention options
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Normal actually makes you use your phone less by keeping selected apps blocked by default. To unblock you have to physically scan an NFC Tag, QR Code or use a Location. This can be any NFC Tag, QR Code, Barcode, Location you set in the app. This 'opt-in' approach is backed by research and actual use. Normal is made to be the most powerful screen time app available. Saving your hours of your day. It's fully open-source and no features are behind paywalls. It can also be made to be impossible to bypass. Highlights of Normal: - Block Apps via NFC Tags, QR Codes and Barcodes - Use ANY NFC Tag, QR Code or Barcode - Unblock/Block specific Apps - Timed Unblocks - Emergency Unblocks - Scheduling - Complete Granular Control - Can make it as easy or as hard to bypass Normal was made because of issues with some other screen time apps. - Other screen time apps are easy to bypass. Normal can be made to be impossible to bypass, or easy to bypass. You have complete control. - Most other screen time apps work on opt-out strategy, where you have access to all apps, then lose access through usage. - Normal works on opt-in strategy. The apps you have blocked are always blocked, to use them you have to physically get up and scan your NFC tag or QR Code. - Most screen time apps are paid, either one-time or more commonly, subscriptions. There are no paid features. Everything is free and open-source. - Normal is privacy-focused. We don't log any data, everything stays on device. Since we're open source, you can check our code and confirm. - Normal allows timed unlocks. Other NFC/QR Code blockers don't have this. If you want to use an app for 15min, you can unlock it for 15min only. You don't have to remember to reblock. Normal was made by actual users, research on smartphone addiction and developments in dumbphones in-mind. If you want to turn your iPhone into a dumbphone, you can. Block all smart apps, block the app store, prevent disabling normal (via preventing delete and the shortcuts trick). Now you have a dumbphone, which you can't make smart without your NFC Tag (which you can make as difficult as you need). If you want a semi-dumbphone, you can. Do the above but have some apps like maps, music, messaging, etc. If you're a professional who needs access to apps distracting sometimes, Normal is for you! Block all distractions with Normal. Set schedules for you work apps or used timed unblocks. Need 15min to post content or check email? You can do that! You just have to physically get up and scan your NFC Tag, QR Code, or Barcode. The apps will automatically reblock after your timer is over. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Habits First
This app helps you build healthy habits by blocking distracting social media apps until you complete your daily goals. It uses the Premack principle to reinforce desired behaviors, offering flexible tracking and commitment options. The core functionality is free, with an optional one-time purchase for advanced integrations.
- Blocks social media apps
- Tracks custom habits (walks, workouts, reading)
- Integrates with health trackers
- Flexible blocking schedules and locations
- Commitment locks for long-term goals
- Optional one-time purchase for advanced features
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Do the thing, then scroll. Habits First is the most effective way to reduce your screen time - distracting apps stay blocked until your habits are done for the day. No accounts required and no subscriptions, forever. Willpower shouldn’t cost a monthly fee. HABITS SUPPORTED - Walk 10,000 steps, or any number you like - Work out 45 minutes - integrates with Apple Watch, WHOOP, Garmin, Oura, or any tracker - Meditate 10 minutes, from Calm, Headspace, Insight Timer, or any meditation app - Use an app you pick: read or use Duolingo for 20 minutes - Built in Pomodoro timer or manual habit check off - Review your Anki flashcards (Habits Pro) - Listen or read books on Audiobookshelf (Habits Pro) - Finish a game on Chess.com (Habits Pro) - Apple Shortcuts automations (Habits Pro) - More coming A block can ask for one habit, all of them, or any two of three. HOW IT WORKS Habits are automatically tracked via integrations such as with Apple Health. Apps you select are blocked until you finish your habits. When you're done, open the app to activate your unlock. WHY IT WORKS The idea is based off the Premack Principle - things you do often can help reinforce things that you do rarely. By habit stacking a difficult habit before an app you often use, you also hijack the addictive nature of distracting apps and turn that motivation towards your daily habits. WHEN IT APPLIES All day until your habits are done, on a schedule, only in certain places, or near a device you pick. Habits First helps you wake up into a calm phone screen, only unlocked after you finish your most important habits of the day. PRICING This app will never have a subscription fee. The core app is free forever: Apple Health goals, app timers, schedules, places, commitment locks, widgets, and as many blocks as you like. One small one-time purchase adds the extra integrations. More will be added in the future (feel free to request them SYNCING You can make an account if you would like to sync your habits and blocks across devices. This is not required. Created by @reysu on YouTube
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Normal at free against Habits First's free with in-app purchases. Normal also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly). Habits First's advantage is ratings volume (170 vs 39). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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
Both are free to download. Normal sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $5.00 per month and Habits First sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Normal against 4.9 for Habits First. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 39 and 170 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of Normal's written reviews are positive against 94% of Habits First's.
Normal ships an update every 2 days, Habits First weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Normal | Habits First |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (39 ratings) | 4.9 (170 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 94.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 39 | 170 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days — better | Weekly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Normal Engineering Inc. | Eric Su |
Customer experience
Normal
Habits First
In-app purchases
Normal
- Monthly Support$5.001 Month
- Monthly Support$10.001 Month
- Monthly Support$20.001 Month
- One-time Donation$5.00
- One-time Donation$10.00
- One-time Donation$20.00
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- One-time Donation$50.00
- One-time Donation$100.00
- One-time Donation$200.00
Habits First
- Habits Pro$9.99









