What it does
BePresent is a digital wellness app designed to help users reduce their phone screen time. It combines practical tools like app blocking and scheduled focus sessions with a robust gamification system. By turning the process of disconnecting into a game with streaks, XP points, and leaderboards, it aims to replace the habit of mindless scrolling with the rewarding habit of being present.
Where it shines
BePresent excels at creating powerful motivation right from the start. The onboarding (00:53) doesn't just ask about your habits; it calculates the potential lifetime cost, framing it in years. It then immediately reframes this as an opportunity to reclaim your life, which is a compelling hook. The app's core loop is also strong. It gamifies the restrictive act of app blocking by rewarding users with XP (03:55), which they can see reflected on a competitive leaderboard (03:57). Another highlight is the "Beast Mode" feature (05:05), an optional hard-lock on focus sessions that shows the app understands the real struggle of self-control.
UX highlights
- Personalized Onboarding: The app uses a short quiz (00:41) to deliver a personalized and shocking statistic, making the value proposition feel tailored and urgent.
- Gamified Actions: Nearly every positive action is rewarded. Completing daily quests (04:38), holding a streak (02:42), and finishing a blocking session all contribute to a sense of progress.
- Intentional Friction: Before opening a distracting app, a prompt (00:07) asks for confirmation, forcing a moment of mindfulness and providing an opportunity to stick to the goal.
- Clear Scheduling: The scheduled sessions feature (03:25) is straightforward, allowing users to proactively block out focus time with clear start/end times and day selection.
- Social Accountability: Users can join or create group leaderboards (07:01), adding a layer of social competition and support to the individual goal of reducing screen time.
- Clear Hierarchy: The main dashboard (03:59) effectively prioritizes the most important actions: starting a block, viewing app intentions, and tracking daily quests.
Monetization & growth
The app presents its subscription offer after establishing a strong emotional need. The paywall (01:42) appears after the "Shock & Reframe" sequence, maximizing the user's motivation to subscribe. It offers a single annual plan with a 7-day free trial. The paywall itself is strengthened by a scrolling carousel of user testimonials, reinforcing trust at the point of decision. Premium features like "Beast Mode" are clearly marked, providing a tangible reason to maintain the subscription beyond the initial setup.
Who it’s for
BePresent is for anyone who feels they spend too much time on their phone and has struggled with self-regulation. Its gamified approach makes it particularly suitable for younger audiences or anyone motivated by competition, points, and streaks. The app is also a good fit for users who want to build intentional habits but need an external system to hold them accountable, especially with features like scheduled sessions and "Beast Mode."
Notes & opportunities
The app forces a specific setup step where the user must select "All Apps & Categories" to proceed (02:24), even showing an error message (02:34) if they don't. While this ensures full data tracking for the app's features, it could feel overly restrictive and cause some users to drop off. Offering a more flexible initial setup or explaining the reasoning more clearly could improve this experience. Additionally, the process of adding an accountability partner (06:36) requires granting contact access, which is a high-friction step that might deter privacy-conscious users.