Work · alternatives · 2026
24 alternatives to ScreenBreak
Hi HN, I built ScreenBreak after realizing that most app blockers failed in practice. “Hard blocks” were too rigid — I either locked myself out entirely or tapped Ignore Limit and kept scrolling. There was no useful middle state. In reality, people still need to open apps like TikTok or Instagram for specific tasks: looking something up, replying to someone, checking updates, etc. The problem isn’t intentional use; it’s the unplanned, unconscious scrolling that follows. I wanted a system that interrupts the impulse without fully preventing access. ScreenBreak uses soft blocking plus…
Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes.
- 1
I wanted to find a way to use Instagram without ending up scrolling for two hours every time I open the app to see a friend's story. Most screen time apps I found focus on blocking the app itself instead of the addictive feed, so I created this app to allow me to keep using the "healthy" and "social" features and block the infinite scrolling (Reels) After implementing the block on Instagram Reels, I got addicted to YouTube Shorts and Reddit feed. So, I extended the app to cover these as well. To avoid replacing the scrolling for regular feeds, I also added a feature that shows a pop-up when…
2025 · scrollguard.app · its alternatives →
- 2
Barrier▲373Stop doomscrolling by blocking your addictive apps!
2025 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
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Fitlock▲236Earn screen time by completing daily health/fitness goals
2025 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
- 5
AppBlock▲87Block apps with one tap and stay focused when it matters
2022 · appblock.app · its alternatives →
- 6DI
Hi HN, It's super hard to quit addicting apps. Existing solutions are non-binding, and therefore, require constant self-discipline and vigilance to be effective. Which is ironic, considering the problem we are trying to solve, is a lack of self-discipline. There exists a physical solution to this problem, in the form of a time-locked safe[1]. It’s effective for reducing app usage, but it's cumbersome and inconvenient. Fundamentally, what these lock-boxes do is impose a real-world cost on breaking your commitment. It’s not impossible to break your commitment, but it would require destroying…
2023 · discipline.io · its alternatives →
- 7
Mobile app that helps users to quit tik-tok addiction
2025 · scrolloff.vercel.app · its alternatives →
- 8
Block distractions to eliminate wasteful browsing habits
2017 · selfcontrol.apki.io · its alternatives →
- 9
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Set time or locations to block distractions from apps.
2018 · play.google.com · its alternatives →
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Blocking apps doesn’t work. Friends do. 🤝📱
Jan 2026 · play.google.com · its alternatives →
- 13
AppBlocker▲73Increase productivity and reduce screen time
2022 · play.google.com · its alternatives →
- 14
Block apps and set focus timers to help iPhone addiction.
2024 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
- 15
my phone secretly robbed all my dreams and i didn’t even knew it got so bad. when i saw my screen time being about 11hrs with ~95 phone pickups per day, i realized how bad it got. my problem is that i could not avoid social media entirely as i post actively because i’m involved in marketing and branding. I tried the usual, app blockers & time limits, but i always find myself hitting “one more minute” like a junkie. i’m not looking for a complete social media absence or deleting everything as these radical solutions don’t fit my lifestyle and needs and i tend to come back needing even more.…
2025 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
- 16
Block distracting apps. Focus on your tasks. Built for ADHD
Feb 2026 · helpfulphone.app · its alternatives →
- 17
EvoCat▲17I’ve always struggled with mindless scrolling, even when I had important work to do. Timers and app blockers never stuck — they felt boring and were easy to bypass. I built EvoCat as a small side project to solve my own problem. It’s a simple iOS app that blocks distracting apps and websites, but adds a fun layer of gamification: • You earn XP for staying focused • You evolve a digital cat as your self-control grows • Each evolution makes the blocking stronger (harder to quit sessions) It’s still in early beta, but this approach has helped me stay more mindful with my phone use. Would love…
2025 · evocat.app · its alternatives →
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I built Recode because I realized I was spending 8-10 hours a day on my phone pretty consistently. I tried other screen time apps but I found them too easy to bypass and end my blocks whenever I wanted to use an app. My solution was to build an app blocker app that makes users have to scan a physical QR/barcode to take a break from their app blocks. This helped me be able to get my screen time down to just a few hours everyday since I didn't want to physically get up and go across the house to get my barcode. Anyways, since it worked for me I felt like sharing it. App store link:…
2025 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
- 20
Stop doom-scrolling. Free Android screen-time control.
Jun 2026 · play.google.com · its alternatives →
- 21
ScrollPause▲16Break endless scrolling with gentle, timely nudges
Jul 2026 · scrollpause.com · its alternatives →
- 22
Turn mindless scrolling into intentional choices.
Jun 2026 · meditationlock.app · its alternatives →
- 23
I built an app to block my own Instagram addiction.
Jun 2026 · play.google.com · its alternatives →
- 24
Screen time management made fun.
2025 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
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Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →