AppBlock vs Focus Bear

AppBlock helps manage screen time by blocking distracting apps, websites, URLs, and keywords. Users can create profiles that start automatically by time, day, location, or connected Wi-Fi. Strict Mode makes blocks harder to bypass and includes Cooldown and third-party approval options. Usage limits, app and website tracking, and reports show screen-time habits over time. Allowlist Mode blocks everything except selected essential apps. The iOS feature list includes schedules, Strict Mode, Quick Block, Allowlist, approval access, and Pomodoro sessions. Extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Brave offer Quick Block and scheduled website blocking. The maker presents uses for work, students, parents, ADHD, mental health, and well-being. Its privacy policy says core blocking rules, screen content read for blocking, and detailed usage statistics are processed locally, subject to stated exceptions. Installed-app package names are sent to servers for category-based blocking, and backups upload blocking configuration when that feature is used. The Free plan costs nothing and has platform-specific limits; a 7-day trial is listed.

Focus Bear is a productivity and work-life-balance app for morning habits, focused work, and evening technology shutoff. It blocks distracting websites and apps across devices using block lists, allow lists, and a stricter Grizzly Bear mode. Customizable morning and evening routines guide users through habits one at a time. The app suggests breaks, detects hyperfocus, and suppresses reminders during meetings. Starting a computer deep-work block can automatically put a phone into Zen mode and block distracting apps. Focus Bear says cloud sync keeps data and focus modes synchronized across devices. It says it does not log keystrokes or take screenshots, and records only user-provided Focus Block and quantified-self information. Calendar events with fbtrigger followed by a habit or focus-mode name can trigger an activity through Late No More. The app is designed by and for people with ADHD. Essentials is free; Pro costs $9.99 a month and adds unlimited blocking, AI-powered blocking, focus modes, focus music, meeting detection, and accountability-partner features. A seven-day trial is also listed. It runs on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.