Short answer: the only fully free options are Apple's Screen Time and ScreenZen. Opal, one sec and Freedom are free up to a point — enough to find out whether blocking works for you, not enough to run your whole week on. Circuit has no free version; it has a 7-day free trial instead. Here is where each one stops.
| Free version | Where free stops | Paid from (US) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Time (Apple) | Everything | Limits can be ignored unless you set a passcode | — |
| ScreenZen | Everything | Nothing; tips are optional | — |
| Circuit | None; a 7-day free trial of everything | When the trial ends | $59.99/yr after the trial |
| one sec | The full pause for one app | A second app | $19.99/yr |
| Opal | One rule, basic timers | More rules, Deep Focus | $99.99/yr |
| Freedom | Blocking apps and sites | Schedules, Locked Mode | $39.99/yr |
Screen Time — free, if you close the loophole
App Limits and Downtime cost nothing and are already on your phone. The catch is that a reached limit lets you carry on unless you set a Screen Time passcode and turn on blocking at the end of the limit. Here's how, and where it still leaks.
ScreenZen — free, and a lot of it
ScreenZen (4.9 stars from about 50,000 US ratings) is free with optional tips. It pauses you before an app opens, and adds limits, a cap on opens per day and a lock mode. If you want the most for nothing, it is the answer.
Circuit — no free version, a free week instead
Circuit is ours, and it isn't free: it starts with a 7-day free trial on the yearly plan, then costs $59.99 a year ($12.99 a month or $4.99 a week, with no trial). The trial is the whole app, not a demo — schedules that run by themselves ("no social apps after 22:00"), the Breaker for blocks up to a day with one hold, and Strict Mode, where a block can't be ended early. Cancel at least a day before the week is up and you pay nothing.
The others
one sec gives its full pause-before-opening for one app free — a good way to test the idea on your worst app. Opal's free tier is one rule and basic timers. Freedom blocks apps and sites for free, with schedules and Locked Mode on the paid plan.
Try Circuit free for 7 days. For the full comparison, paid features included, see the best app blockers for iPhone in 2026.
Questions people ask
What is the best free app blocker for iPhone?
ScreenZen, if you want everything free: it is paid for by optional tips. Apple's Screen Time is free and built in but can be ignored unless you set a passcode. For a hard block, Circuit has no free version but starts with a 7-day free trial.
Can I block apps on iPhone for free without downloading anything?
Yes. Screen Time's App Limits and Downtime are built into iOS. For limits that can't be dismissed, set a Screen Time passcode and turn on blocking at the end of the limit.
Is Circuit free?
No. Circuit starts with a 7-day free trial on the yearly plan, then costs $59.99 a year; monthly ($12.99) and weekly ($4.99) plans have no trial. Pro includes unlimited schedules, blocks up to 24 hours, Strict Mode, daily limits and a month of stats.
Ready to trip the breaker?
Try it free for 7 days, then $59.99 a year.