Focus and app blocker apps for Mac and iPhoneHead to head

one sec vs ScreenZen

one sec ranks #1 and ScreenZen ranks #2 in our guide to the best focus and app blocker apps for Mac and iPhone. one sec is our pick for most people, and ScreenZen is the best free option.

The Useful TechResearched and written with AI under our rulesUpdated 14 Oct 2026

Our pickone sec app iconone secPick one sec if you open social apps on autopilot and a short pause is enough to change your mind.Free to startBest freeScreenZen app iconScreenZenPick ScreenZen if you want a pause plus daily open limits on your iPhone without paying anything.Free

What decides it

  • ScreenZen costs less over 3 years: Free, against $59.97 for one sec.
  • Both run on Mac, iPhone and iPad.
  • ScreenZen has the higher App Store rating: 4.9 from 53K ratings, against 4.8 for one sec.

Side by side

Prices are checked every day.

At a glanceone sec app iconone secScreenZen app iconScreenZen
PriceFree for 1 app. Pro is $6.99 a month, $19.99 a year or $99.99 onceFree. Optional tips support the developer
How you payFree, with paid upgradesFree
3 years of use$59.97 Yearly planFree Cheaper
Free trialFree to startFree to start
Runs onMac, iPhone, iPadMac, iPhone, iPad
Where to buyApp StoreApp Store
Rating4.8 24K ratings4.9 53K ratings Higher
FeaturesFamily Sharing, Free trialNone flagged
Made byriedel.wtf apps S.L.ScreenZen LLC
Last updated20 Oct 20266 Sept 2026

Who should get which

Get one sec if

You reach for TikTok or Instagram on autopilot and want a moment to change your mind.

Get ScreenZen if

You open Instagram on autopilot and want a short pause before it loads, not a total ban.

Skip one sec if

You want a hard wall around an app; Screen Time's App Limits in Settings block it free.

Skip ScreenZen if

You want 1 block running on your phone and computer at the same time, which is where Freedom comes in.

Our verdicts

one sec app iconone sec

If you open Instagram without ever deciding to, one sec makes you sit through a short breathing pause first, and often that is enough to close it. It delays apps instead of blocking them, and the developer reports a 57% average drop in app use from studies with the Max Planck Institute. The free version covers only 1 app, and Pro at $19.99 a year is far better value than $6.99 a month.

ScreenZen app iconScreenZen

Every feature in ScreenZen is free, while one sec and Opal limit their free tiers to 1 app or 1 rule. It makes you wait a few seconds before a distracting app opens, caps how many times a day you can open it, and locks your settings so you cannot quietly switch it off. It runs on optional tips, and Freedom is the pick if you want 1 block running on your phone and computer at the same time.

What each one helps you do

one sec app iconone sec

  • Pause before opening Instagram or TikTok
  • Get kicked out after 5 minutes of scrolling
  • Block distracting apps during set hours
  • Interrupt distracting websites in your browser

ScreenZen app iconScreenZen

  • Pause before opening apps you overuse
  • Cap Instagram at a few opens a day
  • Block social apps during work hours
  • See screen time for only distracting apps

Where to get them

one sec

Free for 1 app. Pro is $6.99 a month, $19.99 a year or $99.99 once

  • App Store, every deviceWith in-app purchases
    Free downloadApp Store

ScreenZen

Free. Optional tips support the developer

  • App Store, iPhone and iPadWith in-app purchases
    FreeApp Store

Neither one quite right?

The other picks in our guide to the best focus and app blocker apps for Mac and iPhone.

Read the full guideAll one sec alternativesAll ScreenZen alternatives

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