Freedom: Screen Time Control

What it does

Freedom is a productivity tool designed to help users reclaim their focus by blocking distracting apps and websites. Users can create custom blocklists and start timed sessions to prevent access to sources of distraction. The app works across multiple devices, allowing for a consistent, focused environment whether on a phone, tablet, or computer.

Where it shines

Freedom excels in its robust and highly configurable session management. After a thorough onboarding that sets up all necessary permissions, users land on a simple dashboard. From here, creating a blocking session is straightforward. The app smartly leverages the native iOS activity picker (01:32) to select apps, which feels intuitive and familiar. Users can quickly start a session now, schedule one for later, or set up recurring sessions (02:29) to build consistent focus habits. The inclusion of complementary focus tools, like a library of ambient sounds and music (04:14), adds another layer of value beyond simple blocking.

UX highlights

Native Component Integration: Instead of building a custom app selector, Freedom uses the iOS Screen Time API's native UI (01:32). This reduces friction and makes the app feel deeply integrated with the operating system.
Clear Dashboard Status: The home screen provides an at-a-glance view of any active sessions, including the session name and time remaining (02:36). This makes it easy to understand the current state of the app.
Granular Session Control: Users have flexible options for sessions, including preset lengths (25 min, 1 hour) and a custom timer (02:24), as well as scheduling for later or setting up recurring blocks.
In-App Content: A built-in blog (03:22) provides articles on productivity and digital wellness. This keeps users engaged with the app's mission even when not in an active session.

Monetization & growth

The entire app experience is gated by a paywall presented immediately after sign-up (00:18). The paywall offers two clear options: a 7-day free trial that converts to a yearly subscription, and a one-time 'Freedom Forever' lifetime purchase. This dual approach caters to both users who want to try before they buy and power users who are ready to commit to a long-term solution. By requiring a subscription to proceed, Freedom ensures its user base is composed of high-intent individuals from the start.

Who it’s for

Freedom is targeted at anyone struggling with digital distractions. This includes students needing to focus on studying, professionals aiming to avoid social media during work hours, writers on a deadline, or anyone practicing digital minimalism. The cross-device syncing makes it particularly useful for people who work across multiple platforms and need a consistent barrier against distractions.

Notes & opportunities

The onboarding process is comprehensive but long. The sequence of sign-up, payment, and three separate permission flows (00:03 - 01:16) could be a significant point of user drop-off. While the permission priming is well-executed, the overall length and number of steps create high initial friction. The app could potentially test simplifying this flow or allowing users to experience a limited version of the app before committing to a trial and full setup.