Be Focused Pro vs Block Distracting Websites
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Be Focused Pro
This app helps you stay focused and productive by breaking down tasks into timed intervals with short breaks. It offers task management, customizable timers, progress tracking, and cross-device synchronization. Achieve your goals with structured work sessions.
- Task creation and management
- Customizable work and break intervals
- Progress tracking and reports
- Cross-device synchronization
- Lock Screen and Home Screen widgets
- Apple Watch support
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Staying on task seems is a real challenge for our screen-bound generation. The Be Focused lets you get things done by breaking up individual tasks among discrete intervals, separated by short breaks. It’s a surprisingly effective way to retain motivation and focus. Create tasks, configure breaks and track your progress throughout the day, week or custom period. Use Be Focused on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac — everything stays perfectly in sync. Task Management • Create and manage tasks • Add notes and due dates to tasks • Organize tasks with tags and filters • Paste task lists from other apps Timer Control • Start, pause, or skip intervals • Auto-start the next interval (optionally) • Plan intervals needed for task completion and track accuracy • Manage completed intervals Timer Customization • Set durations for work sessions, short and long breaks • Define number of intervals before a long break • Set a daily goal for completed intervals • Assign different timer settings to individual tasks Reports • View detailed reports to monitor your progress • Export your data in CSV format Sounds and Notifications • Chronometer ticking sound with adjustable frequency • Variety of alarm sounds • Interactive notifications • Adjustable volume for alarms and chronometer Integration • Sync across all your devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) * • Integration with Focus Matrix to manage tasks using urgent/important principle ** • Integration with Shortcuts app to automate workflow Quick Access • Widgets for Lock Screen and Home Screen • Live activities for Lock Screen and Dynamic Island • Control to start or stop the timer from the Lock Screen, Controls Center, or Action Button Automation • Integration with Shortcuts app (control tasks and timers via Shortcuts app) • Automate Shortcuts execution on events in Be Focused app Device Support • Apple Watch support • Also available for Mac • Dark and Light mode support * Sync with Mac requires Be Focused Pro for macOS, sold separately. ** Integration with Focus Matrix requires the Pro version of Focus Matrix, sold separately.
Block Distracting Websites
Temporarily block distracting websites in Safari to improve focus and productivity. Set a timer to prevent early unlocking and break wasteful browsing habits. Includes a predefined list of common time-wasters.
- Block distracting websites on Safari
- Temporarily disable website access
- Set unlock timers
- Predefined list of distracting sites
- Customizable block lists
- Enhance self-control
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"It's a great way to save time, and stop browsing Reddit when you should be doing coursework." App has been featured by LIFEHACKER.COM Inspired by a well known SelfControl, it aims to provide a similar functionality on iOS. Have you ever wasted your time on the Internet? Having trouble getting stuff done because of procrastination? Do you need more self control? This app allows you to temporarily block distracting (or all) websites on Safari browser. You can unlock them again but it requires that you think twice before doing so: "Do I really need to browse funny cat pictures right now?". Optionally you can set a timer, not allowing you to unblock distracting websites until the time is up. Getting rid of your wasteful browsing habits is as easy as downloading this app and adding your favorite time wasters list. A predefined list of potentially distracting websites is provided. More freedom and focus GUARANTEED. Preview video music: http://www.bensound.com TESTIMONIALS "Nice! Have been seeking for something like this for a long time!" "If you have a bad habit of being glued to your phone when you should be doing other things, this might help and give you the push you need to break that habit." "The app works great, and does exactly what it says, with no fuss." "I need an app like this on my fridge."
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Block Distracting Websites at $3.99 against Be Focused Pro's $19.99. Block Distracting Websites also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). Be Focused Pro's advantage is review sentiment (80% vs 41%) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). On ads, in-app purchases 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
Be Focused Pro costs $19.99 and Block Distracting Websites $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Be Focused Pro holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Be Focused Pro has 3K ratings behind it against 227, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Be Focused Pro's written reviews are positive against 41% of Block Distracting Websites's.
Be Focused Pro ships an update every 5 months, Block Distracting Websites monthly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Be Focused Pro | Block Distracting Websites |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | $3.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.6 (3K ratings) — better | 4.3 (227 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 80.4% of reviews — better | 40.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3K — better | 227 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 38 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Denys Ievenko | Pawel Urbanek |
Customer experience
Be Focused Pro
Block Distracting Websites
User reviews
Be Focused Pro
From 3K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Helps stay focused
- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 🚀 Keeps me on track
- 👍 Great for productivity
- 🚀 Customizable timers
Room to improve
- 🐛 Sync issues between devices
- 🐛 Notifications not working as expected
- 🐛 Timers not always accurate
- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable
- 🐛 Resets progress randomly
Block Distracting Websites
From 227 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- ✅ Works flawlessly for many
- 💰 Affordable one-time purchase
- ⏱️ Effective for breaking habits
- ⏳ Long blocking durations possible
Room to improve
- 🚫 Only works for Safari
- 🔓 Easily bypassed/disabled
- ❌ Doesn't block apps
- 🐛 Inconsistent functionality
- 🤷♂️ No developer support mentioned
Bugs and requests
Be Focused Pro
Reported bugs
4 issues- Sync issues causing data loss
- Timers not working correctly
- Notifications not triggering on silent mode
- Inconsistent behavior when switching devices
Requested features
6 requests- Dark mode option
- Ability to set custom timers per task
- Option to skip or pause breaks
- Integration with Apple Watch complications
- Better reporting and analytics
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- Ability to import tasks from other apps
Block Distracting Websites
Reported bugs
13 issues- Doesn't block websites or apps
- Help screen unhelpful
- Host name invalid for blocking endpoints
- Doesn't work on iPad/phone
- Too easy to turn off in settings
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- Websites stay blocked after unblocking
- Stopped working with new iOS update
- Can't enable the app (grayed out)
- Blocked sites open as normal
- Unable to get it to work as a content blocker
- Blocks all internet access
- Upper limit is 1 day for blocking
- No timer function visible/obvious
Requested features
14 requests- Scheduling feature for automatic blocking
- Block specific URLs (e.g., YouTube.com/shorts)
- Block apps
- PIN code for changes
- Block websites for specific time frames (e.g., 9-5)
Show 9 moreShow fewer
- Block individual websites for different durations
- Allow setting end date further forward while timer is ongoing
- Block longer than 24 hours (days/weeks)
- Landscape orientation on iPad
- iCloud sync
- macOS version
- Keyword pattern blocking
- White list for periods
- Stronger feature disallowing unlocking
In-app purchases
Be Focused Pro
No in-app purchases
Block Distracting Websites
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Be Focused Pro free?
Is Block Distracting Websites free?
Which has better reviews, Be Focused Pro or Block Distracting Websites?
Do Be Focused Pro or Block Distracting Websites have ads?
Which is updated more often, Be Focused Pro or Block Distracting Websites?
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