An app blocker you buy once and own.
Most app blockers charge monthly. Life Over Screen is a one-time purchase. No subscription, no account, no premium tier. Block distracting apps for a set time. iPhone and Android.
In one paragraph
Life Over Screen is sold as a one-time purchase. You get the full app. Block distracting apps for a set time, choose who this moment is for, see how much time you protected. No monthly fee, no annual fee, no free trial that auto-renews, no premium tier behind a paywall. You buy it, you own it.
Why most app blockers charge monthly
The screen time category is dominated by venture-funded apps. Opal, Freedom, and one sec all use subscription models. This is not because blocking apps is expensive to run. It is because recurring revenue is what investors want to see.
There is nothing wrong with subscription apps. But there is something odd about paying monthly for a tool that is supposed to help you use technology less.
App blockers you can buy once
| App | Purchase model | Platforms | Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life Over Screen | One-time purchase | iOS, Android | Session blocking, people-first |
| Forest | one-time purchase plus optional extras | iOS, Android | Gamified focus timer (grow trees) |
| Cold Turkey | one-time purchase | Mac, Windows | Desktop website/app blocking |
That is a short list. Most of the category is subscription-only.
App blockers that charge monthly
| App | Purchase model | Platforms | Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opal | a recurring subscription | iOS only | Yes |
| Freedom | recurring subscription | iOS, Android, Mac, Win | Yes |
| one sec | recurring subscription | iOS, Android | Yes |
Store listings change by region. Confirm current purchase terms on the App Store or Google Play.
What you get with Life Over Screen
- Block any app. Choose which apps to block each session, or save a default list.
- Choose who this moment is for. Family. Kids. Love. Friends. Me.
- Choose how long. 15 minutes to 4 hours, or custom.
- See protected time. A simple summary after each session.
- Stop early if needed. One tap, no penalty.
No premium features behind a paywall. No "pro" tier. No in-app purchases. The app you download is the full app.
What you do not get
Life Over Screen does one thing. It does not do everything. Compared to subscription apps like Freedom or Opal:
- No website blocking. Apps only.
- No cross-device sync. Phone only.
- No scheduled sessions. Every session starts manually.
- No usage analytics dashboard.
- No gamification, streaks, or badges.
If you need those features, a subscription app may be worth the cost. If you do not, there is no reason to keep paying for them.
Restore purchase
If you switch phones or reinstall the app, use "Restore Purchase" inside the app. It works across any device on the same App Store or Google Play account. No account with us to log into — the stores handle it.
Privacy
- No account. No email. No signup.
- No cloud sync. Data stays on the device.
- No advertising or analytics SDKs.
Frequently asked questions
Are there app blockers without a subscription?
Yes. Life Over Screen (one-time purchase), Forest (one-time purchase plus optional extras), and Cold Turkey (a desktop purchase) are all one-time purchases. Most others — Opal, Freedom, one sec — charge monthly or annually.
Why do most app blockers charge monthly?
Recurring revenue is a more attractive business model for investors. Many popular blockers are venture-funded. A one-time purchase works when the app is lean and does not depend on external funding.
What do I get with Life Over Screen?
The full app, forever. Block distracting apps, choose who a moment is for, see protected time. No premium tier, no locked features, no in-app purchases.
Can I restore my purchase on a new device?
Yes. Use restore purchase in the app. Works across devices on the same App Store or Google Play account.
Is there a free trial?
No. There is no free tier and no trial that auto-converts. You buy the app once and own it.