One Sec and AppBlocker get recommended for the same problem, but they act at opposite ends of it. One Sec works at the moment you open an app. AppBlocker works at the moment you should have closed it. Pick the one that matches where your time actually goes.
How do AppBlocker and One Sec compare side by side?
| App | Approach | Best for | Platform | Price | Weak spot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One Sec | A forced pause before opening | The gentlest possible nudge | iPhone | Free for one app; Pro about $20/year (US) | Easy to autopilot through the breathing prompt, and it doesn’t touch session length |
| AppBlocker | Blocks now, on a schedule, or after a long session | Falling into a session and not coming out | iPhone, iPad, Android | Free, ad-supported, no subscription | Handles the reflexive open less well than a pause app, has no cross-device desktop blocking, is ad-supported, and isn’t parental controls |
Pause or block?
One Sec delays: the app still opens, but only after a breath and a prompt, which breaks autopilot and leaves the choice to you. AppBlocker blocks: during a block the app won’t open, and after 15 minutes in a time-sink app it stops you. If a pause is enough to make you put the phone down, One Sec is lighter. If you tap through any prompt, you need a block.
Where does One Sec win?
One Sec is the lightest touch in this category and a good first step if you aren’t sure you need a full tool. For the reflexive open, the thumb-on-the-icon habit, a pause is often all it takes.
Where does AppBlocker win?
Session length and price. Its Doomscroll Protection stops you after 15 minutes of use in the apps you mark as time sinks, so the 45-minute hole gets an ending. It also has Block Now, Scheduled Blocks, a Manual Block that stays on until you deliberately turn it off, and screen-time stats. It’s free with no subscription and no sign-up, on iPhone, iPad and Android.
Where does each one fall short?
One Sec is easy to tap past once the prompt becomes routine, and it does nothing once you’re already in the app. AppBlocker is weaker at the reflexive open, shows ads, doesn’t block on a laptop, and isn’t built for managing someone else’s phone.
Which one fits you?
| If you | Look at |
|---|---|
| Open apps on reflex, before deciding to | One Sec |
| Want the gentlest possible nudge | One Sec |
| Fall into a session and don’t come out | AppBlocker |
| Need a hard block on a schedule, free | AppBlocker |
For more options, including ScreenZen and Freedom, see the four-way comparison and the full comparison of screen time apps.
Questions about AppBlocker and One Sec
What is the difference between AppBlocker and One Sec?
One Sec adds a breathing pause before a distracting app opens. AppBlocker blocks apps now, on a schedule, or after 15 minutes of use in the apps you pick.
Is One Sec free?
One Sec is free for one app, with a paid Pro tier listed at about $20 a year in the US in our comparison. AppBlocker is free with no subscription and supported by ads.
Which is better for doomscrolling?
If you lose time once you’re already scrolling, AppBlocker’s Doomscroll Protection is aimed at that. If you mostly open apps without thinking, One Sec’s pause fits better.
Can I use One Sec and AppBlocker together?
Yes. They act at different moments: One Sec at the open, AppBlocker during the session and on a schedule.
Do AppBlocker and One Sec work on Android?
AppBlocker is on iPhone, iPad and Android. Our comparison lists One Sec for iPhone, so check its store page if you need Android.
If the pause isn’t enough
AppBlocker stops you after 15 minutes in your time-sink apps, with schedules and a Manual Block. Free, no subscription, no sign-up, iPhone, iPad and Android.
Get AppBlocker, free Get it on Google Play