About One Sec
one sec is a screen time app that helps users interrupt or block social media, apps, and websites. It is designed to fit users' habits and aims to reduce app openings and increase sleep.
The app uses interruptions developed by psychologists, such as deep breathing, mirror, conversational reflection, rotating the phone, typing random text, and 4-7-8 breathing. It has been studied in peer-reviewed research with the Max-Planck Institute and Heidelberg University, and is validated by governments in Germany and Denmark for digital wellbeing.
Key features
- Interrupts social media, apps, and websites
- Blocks apps to avoid distractions
- Doomscroll emergency brake with time limits
- Multiple interruption types: deep breath, mirror, conversational reflection, rotate phone, type random text, 4-7-8 breathing, structured
Good fit for
- Limiting social media use
- Staying away from YouTube
- Stopping doomscrolling news sites
One Sec: questions and answers
- What is One Sec used for?
- one sec is a screen time app that uses interruptions to help users limit social media, block apps and websites, and change scrolling habits. It is a good fit for limiting social media use, staying away from YouTube and stopping doomscrolling news sites.
- Is One Sec open source?
- No. One Sec is proprietary (closed-source) software. In the Productivity category, open-source options include PowerToys, Stirling PDF and Ladybird.
- What are some alternatives to One Sec?
- One Sec competes with Freedom.
Open-source alternatives to One Sec
See all
PowerToys
Productivity
Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of utilities that supercharge productivity and customi
MITvs Alfred★ 139k
Stirling PDF
Productivity
A free, private PDF editor you can run on any infrastructure.
OSSvs Adobe Acrobat★ 94k
Ladybird
Productivity
Truly independent web browser
BSD-2-Clausevs Google Chrome★ 66k
Files
Productivity
A modern file manager that helps users organize their files and folders.
MIT★ 46k
Zen Browser
Productivity
Welcome to a calmer internet
MPL-2.0vs Google Chrome★ 45k
Stats
Productivity
macOS system monitor in your menu bar
MIT★ 43k
SaaS alternatives to One Sec
See all
Freedom
Productivity
Distraction blocker for websites and apps across devices
SaaS
AppBlock
Productivity
Block distracting apps and websites to manage screen time and improve focus
SaaS
Opal
Productivity
Screen time app that protects focus automatically on iPhone, iPad and macOS
SaaS
1 Pixel Workout
Productivity
Site blocker that swaps distracting scrolling for short 60-second workouts
SaaS
Bedly
Productivity
Mobile app that keeps other apps locked until you make your bed each morning
SaaS
Blockit
Productivity
Mobile app that blocks distracting apps until you complete exercises, verified on-device with pose detection
SaaS

