LockedOut vs One Sec
One makes you think. The other takes away the choice.
The key difference
One Sec makes you pause and breathe before opening an app. You reach for Instagram, One Sec stops you, you take a breath, think about whether you really want to open it, and then you can proceed anyway.
LockedOut fully locks apps until you complete a task. You can't open Instagram at all. Not unless you go to the gym, study, or clean your room. No pausing, no thinking about it, no willpower. It's just locked.
One adds a speed bump. The other builds a wall.
Feature comparison
| Feature | LockedOut | One Sec |
|---|---|---|
| Task-based unlocking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Breathing exercise prompt | ✗ | ✓ |
| GPS gym verification | ✓ | ✗ |
| AI room scanning | ✓ | ✗ |
| Full app blocking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Usage tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple Watch | ✓ | ✗ |
| Study mode | ✓ | ✗ |
| Friends & leaderboard | ✓ | ✗ |
| Price | £14.99/mo | £4.99/mo |
Who One Sec is for
One Sec is for people who want a gentle nudge to be more mindful about phone usage. If you find yourself reaching for Instagram without thinking, One Sec makes you pause and actually consider it.
It's a good option if you have some willpower. The breathing exercise actually helps you think twice before opening an app. For mild habits and people who just want a reminder to be more intentional.
Who LockedOut is for
LockedOut is for people who need real enforcement. If a breathing exercise isn't enough to stop you, if you can talk yourself past a pause screen, if you need the app to literally not open, LockedOut removes the option.
This is for people serious about changing. You can't negotiate with LockedOut. Apps don't unlock until you've earned them. The structure forces the habit. No tapping through, no second-guessing.
The bottom line
One Sec is a reminder. LockedOut is a rule.
If you can talk yourself past a breathing exercise, you need LockedOut. Because LockedOut doesn't ask you to think about it—it just doesn't let you in until you've done something productive with your day.