AppBlock vs Normal
AppBlock
appblock.appNormal
normalengineering.orgSide by side
| Figure | AppBlock | Normal |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Distraction Blocking Software | 8.2 (#6) | 7.2 (#25) |
| Maker | The privacy policy identifies MobileSoft s.r.o. as the operator and gives its registered office as Českoskalická 650, 549 41 Červený Kostelec. | The App Store identifies the seller as Normal Engineering Inc. |
| Privacy | The privacy policy says core blocking, configured rules, screen content read for blocking, and detailed usage statistics are processed locally and are not accessible to the operator, subject to stated exceptions. | The maker says there are no accounts, cloud sync, analytics, or tracking, and settings and keys stay on the iPhone. |
| Purpose | AppBlock helps manage screen time and block distracting apps, websites, URLs, and keywords. | Normal is an open-source iOS screen-time control and app-blocking app. |
| Support | The site links to Android, iOS, and extension help pages, contact support, and feature requests, and invites users to join its Discord community. | The maker lists [email protected] for questions and feedback. |
Plans
In their own words
AppBlock
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.
Normal
Normal has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.