Locked In vs one sec
Locked In is an iPhone app that blocks distracting apps by time, by place, or on demand. Its App Store tagline is "Text a Friend to Unblock Apps": with Guardian (Pro), a friend you pick approves or declines by text when you try to end a block early. It's a friend keeping you honest, not a hard lock.
What's the difference between Locked In and one sec?
one sec slows you down with a short pause (like a deep breath) every time you open a distracting app, and is backed by published research; Locked In locks apps for a stretch of time, on a schedule, or when you arrive at a place, with a friend who keeps you honest. Pick one sec to use apps more intentionally, and Locked In to keep them closed for a while.
Side-by-side (as of Oct 2026)
| Locked In | one sec | |
|---|---|---|
| Main approach | Blocks apps for a period | Interrupts (delays) app opens with a pause; can also block on a schedule |
| Platforms | iPhone (iOS 18+) | iPhone/iPad (iOS 15+), Mac, Android, browser extension |
| Free plan | One Quick Block a day, up to 5 minutes | One app with a breathing pause |
| Pro price (US App Store) | $9.99/month or $89/year | $6.99/month, $19.99/year, lifetime option |
| Free trial | 7 days on monthly and annual Pro | 1 week (one sec FAQ) |
| Research | None claimed | Peer-reviewed study (PNAS 2023) reporting 57% fewer app openings |
| Schedules | Yes (Pro) | Yes |
| Block by location | Red Zones (Pro) | Not found on its pages |
| Friend accountability | Guardian (Pro only) approves or denies early unlocks on a web page that opens in any phone browser; requests expire after 15 minutes; you can always choose math problems or typing a phrase instead | Not found on its pages |
| Strict sessions | No strict mode | Strict block sessions (Pro) |
| Website blocking | Not claimed - use Apple Screen Time | Yes (Safari / browser extension) |
Who should pick which
Choose one sec if:
- You want to keep using an app, just less automatically. A pause on every open is the whole idea.
- You want an approach with published research behind it.
- You want a low-cost Pro plan, website interruptions, or apps on Android and desktop.
Choose Locked In if:
- A pause isn't enough and you want TikTok or Instagram closed for a set time or on a schedule.
- You want apps to lock automatically at the office, gym or library (Red Zones).
- You want a friend (Guardian, a Pro feature) to approve or deny early unlocks, with math problems or a typed phrase as the alternative.
FAQ
Is one sec free? Yes, for one app. Pro unlocks more apps and features; on the US App Store, Pro is $6.99 a month or $19.99 a year. Locked In's free plan is one Quick Block a day, up to 5 minutes; Pro is $9.99 a month or $89 a year.
Does one sec block apps completely? It can: its FAQ says you can set blocks so apps or sites can't be opened during a block session or scheduled time. Its main feature is the pause.
Does Locked In add a pause before apps? No. Locked In blocks apps for a period. To end a Pro block early, you solve math problems, type a phrase, or ask your Guardian.
Which is better for ADHD? It depends on the person. Locked In's Guardian adds another person to the decision. Neither is a medical treatment.
Does Locked In block websites? Don't count on it. Use Apple Screen Time or one sec's browser tools for websites.
Get Locked In on the App Store
Sources
- one sec: https://one-sec.app/
- one sec FAQ: https://one-sec.app/faq/
- one sec on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/one-sec-screen-time-focus/id1532875441
- one sec Pro features: https://tutorials.one-sec.app/en/articles/3036418
- Grüning, Riedel & Lorenz-Spreen (2023), PNAS 120(8) e2213114120: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2213114120
- Locked In on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6758916241
- Apple Screen Time: https://support.apple.com/en-us/108806