Freedom
Focus: blocker and focus. Shares screen time with one sec. A desktop app, not a mobile app. Paid but Affordable (one sec: Freemium). Adds Chrome. Rated 4.3 (one sec: 4.6).
Desktop AppPaid but AffordablemacOS, Windows
4.3Visit
Mobile App
one sec
An app that adds a pause before you open distracting apps and sites.
Rating
4.6 / 5
Pricing
Freemium
Difficulty
Beginner
Works on
iOS, Android, Windows
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is one sec?
one sec helps you cut back on social media by adding a short intervention, such as a deep breath or a reflection prompt, before a distracting app or website opens. You can also block apps on a schedule, set time limits as a doomscroll brake, and use tools for intentions, journaling and emotion tracking. The site says the intervention logic runs on your device and your data is not sold. It is available on iOS and Android, with a browser extension for Windows, macOS and Linux. The essentials are free, with a paid premium option.
Pros: what one sec does well
- Adds a pause instead of a hard block
- Works on phones and in desktop browsers
- Intervention logic runs on your own device
Cons: where it falls short
- The site does not list exactly what is free versus premium
- Interventions can be skipped if you are determined
Who one sec is for
People who open social apps out of habit and want to break the loop.
Who can skip it
Those who rarely use social media.
one sec alternatives
Not sold on one sec? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.
Forest
Focus: pomodoro, gamified and phone. Also in Habit Building and Distraction Blocking, like one sec. Paid but Affordable (one sec: Freemium). Adds Chrome. Same 4.6 rating.
Mobile AppPaid but AffordableiOS, Android
4.6Visit
uBlock Origin
Focus: ad blocker, content blocker and privacy. Also in Distraction Blocking and Digital Minimalism, like one sec. A browser extension, not a mobile app. Free (one sec: Freemium). Adds Firefox and Chrome. Rated 4.8 (one sec: 4.6).
Browser ExtensionFreeFirefox, Chrome
4.8Visit
Pi-hole
Focus: ad blocker, dns and privacy. Also in Distraction Blocking and Digital Minimalism, like one sec. A web app, not a mobile app. Free (one sec: Freemium). Adds Web. Rated 4.7 (one sec: 4.6).
Web AppFreeLinux, Web
4.7Visit
Unhook
Focus: youtube, distraction blocker and recommendations. Also in Distraction Blocking and Digital Minimalism, like one sec. A browser extension, not a mobile app. Free (one sec: Freemium). Adds Chrome and Firefox. Rated 4.7 (one sec: 4.6).
Browser ExtensionFreeChrome, Firefox
4.7Visit
How to Rewire Your Brain to Enjoy Discipline
Focus: discipline, habits and dopamine. Also in Habit Building and Digital Minimalism, like one sec. A YouTube Video, not a mobile app. Free (one sec: Freemium). Adds Web. Same 4.6 rating.
YouTube VideoFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.6Visit
Free alternatives to one sec
Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.
FreeTube
Focus: youtube, privacy and video. Also in Digital Minimalism and Distraction Blocking, like one sec. A desktop app, not a mobile app. Free (one sec: Freemium). Rated 4.5 (one sec: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.5Visit
Ghostery
Focus: ad blocker, tracker blocker and privacy. Also in Distraction Blocking and Digital Minimalism, like one sec. A browser extension, not a mobile app. Free (one sec: Freemium). Adds Chrome, Firefox and Safari. Rated 4.5 (one sec: 4.6).
Browser ExtensionFreeChrome, Firefox
4.5Visit
LeechBlock NG
Focus: website blocker, browser extension and focus. Also in Distraction Blocking and Digital Minimalism, like one sec. A browser extension, not a mobile app. Free (one sec: Freemium). Adds Chrome and Firefox. Rated 4.5 (one sec: 4.6).
Browser ExtensionFreeChrome, Firefox
4.5Visit
LibreWolf
Focus: web browser, firefox and privacy. Also in Digital Minimalism and Distraction Blocking, like one sec. A desktop app, not a mobile app. Free (one sec: Freemium). Rated 4.5 (one sec: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.5Visit
SelfControl
Focus: website blocker, mac and focus. Also in Distraction Blocking and Digital Minimalism, like one sec. A Mac app, not a mobile app. Free (one sec: Freemium). Rated 4.5 (one sec: 4.6).
Mac AppFreemacOS
4.5Visit
How We Feel
Focus: mood journal, emotions and mental health. Also in Habit Building, like one sec. Free (one sec: Freemium). Rated 4.7 (one sec: 4.6).
Mobile AppFreeiOS, Android
4.7Visit
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