Jomo vs Ice Block
The Best Jomo Alternative for iPhone
Jomo packs routines, analytics, and blocking into one polished subscription. If you mostly want the blocking — and would rather not pay for the rest — Ice Block does that one job free.
Published Jun 5, 2026 · Updated Jun 17, 2026 by the Stella Lane Associates team
What Ice Block actually is
Ice Block is a free iPhone focus timer (iOS 26+) built for students — and anyone who wants to actually start and finish a focus session. You choose the apps to freeze, and Ice Block enforces a real block through Apple Screen Time for the length of each session, while a melting-ice companion tracks your progress. Free to download; Ice Block Plus ($69.99/year or $14.99/month) adds unlimited sessions and weekly insights.
Why people look for a Jomo alternative
Jomo is a capable all-in-one: schedules, routines, insights, and app blocking wrapped in a nice interface. The trade-off is that all of it sits behind a subscription, and a lot of people don't need the full suite — they need to start a focus session and have their distracting apps go away. Paying a recurring fee for routines and dashboards you won't open is the usual reason to look elsewhere.
Ice Block is built around that single job. Start a session, your chosen apps freeze through Apple Screen Time, and a melting-ice timer keeps you honest until it's done — for free.
Ice Block vs Jomo at a glance
| Ice Block | Jomo | |
|---|---|---|
| Core blocking free? | Yes | Limited |
| Model | Focus session block | Routines + blocking + insights |
| Price | Free; Plus $69.99/yr or $14.99/mo | Subscription |
| Complexity | Minimal | Feature-rich |
| Signature touch | Melting-ice companion | Polished routines |
| Best for | Students, simple focus | People who want a full suite |
Where Jomo wins
If you genuinely want routines, scheduling, and richer analytics in one place — and you'll use them — Jomo's polish and breadth go beyond Ice Block's focused approach. Ice Block deliberately does less.
Why Ice Block is the better fit for most switchers
Free core. The blocking you came for doesn't require a subscription.
Less to manage. No routines to design — start a session and go.
Made to actually start. The melting-ice companion turns "I should focus" into a session you begin.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ice Block cheaper than Jomo?
Ice Block is free to use (Plus optional); Jomo bundles its features into a subscription.
Does Ice Block block the same apps?
Yes — any app on your iPhone, frozen via Screen Time for the length of a focus session.
Is there a free Jomo alternative?
Yes — Ice Block offers free focus-session blocking without the full suite.