Best Free App Blockers for iPhone (2026)
Plenty of app blockers say "free" and then paywall everything useful. What you actually get for £0 from Screen Time, Opal, ScreenZen, one sec and more.
Loads of app blockers say “free” and then paywall everything useful. Here’s what you actually get for £0.
| App | What’s free | What’s paid |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone Screen Time | Everything: app limits, Downtime, website blocking | Nothing |
| Opal | 1 rule | Unlimited rules, Hard Mode (source) |
| Friend Controls | The app, with a friend approving your extra time | Paid plans, or $29.99 lifetime in the US (source) |
| LockPact | Mutual pair approval, with ads | A one-off purchase removes the ads (source) |
| ScreenZen | Everything | Nothing; donations are optional (source) |
| one sec | A pause before 1 app | More apps with Pro (source) |
| Snitch (ours) | A shared pot with friends, blocking up to 2 apps | More apps and longer focus hours with Premium |
Best completely free: iPhone Screen Time
It’s built in and has no paywall. The weakness: “Ignore Limit” is one tap away. Set a passcode and give it to someone else to fix that. (Here’s how.)
Best free friend app: LockPact
Free mutual accountability for two people. Great for couples.
Best free friction: ScreenZen
A wait before apps open, without paying a penny.
Best free plan for groups: Snitch (ours)
The core of Snitch is free: a shared screen time pot with your friends, group approvals, and blocking for up to 2 apps. Premium adds more apps and longer focus hours, and new accounts can try it free for 14 days.
Our advice
Start with iPhone Screen Time. If you keep beating it, add a free friend app. Only pay once you know what works for you.