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The best app blockers for iPhone in 2026, compared honestly
3 min read
We make Pactroll. So nobody is ranked first, ourselves included. Prices are from each app's US App Store page or website, checked 28 October 2026 (sources).
| App | Price | Free version | Strict mode | Works on | Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Time | Free | Full | Passcode only | iPhone, iPad, Mac | None |
| ScreenZen | Free | Full | Yes | Apple, Android, Windows | None |
| one sec | $19.99/yr | 1 app | Paid | Apple, Android, browser | Optional |
| Opal | $99.99/yr | 1 rule | Paid | iPhone, Mac, Android | Required |
| Jomo | $29.99/yr | 1 session + 1 limit | Paid | iPhone, iPad, Mac | Optional |
| Freedom | $39.99/yr | 2-hour sessions | Paid | Apple, Android, Windows | Required |
| Brick | $59 once | Needs device | Physical key | iPhone, Android | Required |
| PactrollOURS | $49.99/yr | No · 3-day trial | No | iPhone | None |
Swipe the table sideways. US prices: the yearly plan, or one-time.
Who each one is best for
-
Screen Time Free
Trying a lock tonight, no download
- Already on your iPhone
- Strong if someone else sets the passcode
- Easy to skip if you set the passcode yourself
-
ScreenZen Free
The best free app
- Every feature free, lock mode included
- Also on Android and Windows
- Very little official help
-
one sec $19.99/yr
A pause, not a wall
- A breath before the app opens
- Free for one app
- The pause is easy to tap through
-
Opal $99.99/yr
The most rules and options
- Schedules, time limits, open limits
- Deep Focus you can't cancel (Pro)
- Priciest here; no iPad app
-
Jomo $29.99/yr
The cheapest strict mode
- Strict Mode blocks edits and uninstalling
- Unlock challenges: wait, type, scan
- No Android or Windows
-
Freedom $39.99/yr
Your phone and computer together
- One session blocks every device
- Windows, Mac, Android, browsers
- Account required
-
Brick $59 once
A physical key in another room
- Unlocking needs a tap on the device
- No subscription
- Paid up front; no iPad or computer
-
Pactroll (ours) $49.99/yr
The app you keep deleting and reinstalling
- Locked with no end date, even when Pactroll is closed
- A 5-minute ritual when the urge hits; 15 minutes if you still want in
- No account; nothing leaves your phone
- No free version, iPhone only, and deleting it removes the lock
Any blocker can be undone, ours included. The strongest extra step costs nothing: let someone else set your Screen Time passcode. Leaving Opal? Opal alternatives →
FAQ
What is the best free app blocker for iPhone?
Apple's built-in Screen Time, or ScreenZen, which is free with every feature included.
Which app blocker is hardest to get around?
Brick, because unlocking needs a tap on a physical device. Opal, Jomo, one sec and Freedom have paid strict modes. Most of them keep an emergency exit.
Can you just delete an app blocker?
Usually, yes, and that includes Pactroll. Some apps block deletion during a strict session. A Screen Time passcode someone else sets makes it much harder.
Do app blockers need an account?
Screen Time, ScreenZen and Pactroll don't. It's optional on one sec and Jomo, and required on Opal, Freedom and Brick.