Description
One Sec helps users build healthier habits by delaying access to social media and other distracting apps. It puts a layer of friction between the user and their target app by prompting a deep breath or other mindful intervention before opening the app, encouraging users to reconsider impulsive usage.
Market positioning
Affordable, evidence-backed mindfulness-based app blocker focused on friction and in-the-moment reflection to reduce compulsive app usage.
Target audience
Individuals struggling with compulsive social media and app usage who want to reduce screen time and build mindful digital habits.
Use cases
One Sec helps users build healthier digital habits by inserting a mindful friction layer before opening distracting or addictive apps. When a user attempts to open a blocked app, they are prompted to complete a brief mindful intervention (e.g., deep breath, phone rotation, dot-following, 10-second wait, or camera self-check), encouraging them to pause and reconsider impulsive usage before proceeding.
Company information
Company size
<UNKNOWN>
Revenue
<UNKNOWN>
Scale
Mobile app (iOS) with browser extensions (Chrome and others); cross-platform support
Number of users
<UNKNOWN>
Features
Pricing
Rating
Pros and cons
Based on: (AI summary)
Pros
- Evidence-backed: users report 57% reduction in social media use after 6 weeks (published in PNAS)
- Psychologically aligned — promotes in-the-moment reflection rather than rigid scheduling
- Non-paternalistic approach that respects user autonomy
- Very affordable pricing
- Cross-platform support (iOS, Android, Chrome)
Cons
- Fiddly setup requiring use of Apple Shortcuts app
- Occasional delay between opening an app and the intervention appearing
- Difficult to fully disable due to persistent Shortcuts workflows
- Limited customization on free tier
Feature Comparison
Top features across 19 competitors (most common first)
| Feature | Opal | One Sec | Freedom | Screen Time | Freedom App | Calm | StayFocusd | Headspace | Apple Scree… | Google Digi… | Happify | Noom | Fitbit | Moodfit | Erakulis | ScreenTime | DigitalWell… | Feeling Gre… | Galvan+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Android | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mood tracking | |||||||||||||||||||
| AI-based monitoring | |||||||||||||||||||
| App blocking | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-platform synchronization | |||||||||||||||||||
| Parental controls | |||||||||||||||||||
| Personalized recommendations | |||||||||||||||||||
| Real-time usage alerts | |||||||||||||||||||
| Reporting and analytics | |||||||||||||||||||
| Usage tracking | |||||||||||||||||||
| App and website blocking (blocklist and whitelist) | |||||||||||||||||||
| App Limits | |||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and Deep Focus Sessions | |||||||||||||||||||
| Focus Score tracking (today only on free; full history on Pro) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mac & iOS support | |||||||||||||||||||
| Normal and Hard Locks (blocking difficulties) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Recurring Focus Sessions (1 on free; unlimited on Pro) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Student discount (up to 50% off) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Teams plan with account manager and advanced support | |||||||||||||||||||
| Android support |