The minimalist phone Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about minimalist phone in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
minimalist phone
The Insider’s Guide
Text-only home screen and app blocker for Android and iPhone
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among focus apps, read from minimalist phone’s own pages.
Made by Hachi Media OÜ · checked Oct 6, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from minimalist phone’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on minimalist phone’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.4
GPA, above 18 of the 65 other focus apps we grade
minimalist phone is a screen-time app that swaps the icon grid for a plain text list of apps and adds tools for limiting use: app and website blocking, a 15-second delay before chosen apps open, per-session time limits and blocking schedules. On Android it works as a home-screen launcher; on iPhone it relies on text-based widgets. It is sold as a monthly, yearly or lifetime purchase after a 7-day trial.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about minimalist phone, taken from its own pages and our grades.
On Android it just takes over as your home screen, which is the easy half.
- 1
Best for a text-only home screen that makes your phone boring
The iPhone version does less than the Android one, and there's no iPad app.
- 2
Paid plans start at $0.83 a month when paid by the year
As its pricing page puts it: $2.99 / month or $9.99 / year (US App Store; several amounts listed).
- 3
You can try it first
7-day free trial on monthly and yearly plans; lifetime is charged at once with a 7-day refund
- 4
It runs on 2 platforms
Android and iOS.
- 5
Icon-free home screen
A text-only list of apps takes the place of the icon grid. On Android the app is a launcher that replaces the default home screen; on iPhone the layout is built from text-based widgets.
- 6
App and website blocking
Block chosen apps and websites for a few hours, or put apps into a detox mode that the Android page says can run for 30 days.
- 7
Mindful launch delay
A 15-second pause before a chosen app opens, intended to interrupt the habit of opening apps without thinking.
- 8
A 2.4 GPA, above 18 of 65
That is against the other focus apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Your call
A focus timer at its plainest counts down 25 minutes and keeps a log.
minimalist phone at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from $2.99 / month or $9.99 / year (US App Store; several amounts listed)
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- 7-day free trial on monthly and yearly plans; lifetime is charged at once with a 7-day refund
- Runs on
- iOS, Android
- Made by
- Hachi Media OÜ
- Category
- Focus Apps
- Our grade
- 2.4 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for a text-only home screen that makes your phone boring
minimalist phone swaps your grid of app icons for a plain text list, then adds blocking, a 15-second pause before chosen apps open, and time limits. There's no free plan after the 7-day trial, and the vendor publishes no prices; the US App Store lists two or more amounts for every plan. The iPhone version does less than the Android one, and there's no iPad app.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | The US App Store lists the year at $9.99 or $19.99, and even the higher figure is about a fifth of what this category's typical subscription costs over a year. Lifetime runs $29.99 to $69.99. The irritation is that nothing says which amount you'd be charged, and the vendor's own site publishes no prices. |
| Free plan and trial | C | No free plan. Monthly and yearly open with a 7-day trial, and lifetime is charged straight away with a 7-day refund instead. A week to make your mind up. |
| Features | C | A text-only home screen, app and website blocking, a 15-second pause before chosen apps open, and a limit you set each time you open one. The gap is which phone you hold: hiding apps and notifications, monochrome mode and short-video blocking are listed for Android and not on the iPhone page. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record. On Android it just takes over as your home screen, which is the easy half. On iPhone you build the layout out of text-based widgets, which is a workaround and takes some fiddling. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Android and iPhone, so phones only. The iPhone app wants iOS 17 or later and isn't offered for iPad, there's no desktop or browser version, and no integrations are listed. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who minimalist phone is for
- Fits if you open social apps out of habit and want some friction first
- Works for Android users who want a text-only launcher in place of app icons
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want something free, as there's no free plan after the 7-day trial
- Not for you if your scrolling happens on a laptop or an iPad, which it doesn't cover
- Tight if you're on iPhone, because hiding apps, monochrome mode and short-video blocking are only listed for Android
- Watch out: the year shows at $9.99 and $19.99 and lifetime at $29.99 to $69.99, with no word on which you'd pay
- Watch out: lifetime is charged at once with a 7-day refund in place of a trial, and the iPhone app needs iOS 17
Good to know
Good for
- People who open social apps out of habit and want friction first
- Android users who want a text-only launcher in place of app icons
- Buyers who prefer a one-time purchase to a subscription
Worth knowing
- There is no free plan: after the 7-day trial you choose a monthly, yearly or lifetime purchase.
- No prices are published on the vendor's site. The US App Store lists several amounts for each plan, and Google Play shows a range of $0.29 to $59.99 per item.
- The iPhone app requires iOS 17 or later and is not offered for iPad; there is no desktop or browser version.
- Hiding apps and notifications, monochrome mode and short-video blocking are listed for Android but not on the iPhone page.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$0.83
A month to start, paid by the year
minimalist phone is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $2.99 / month or $9.99 / year (US App Store; several amounts listed).
The irritation is that nothing says which amount you'd be charged, and the vendor's own site publishes no prices.
Monthly Plan
$2.99 or $4.99
per month, US App Store; two amounts listed
Subscription with a 7-day free trial. The listing shows $4.99 and $2.99 and does not say which one a new subscriber pays.
Annual Plan
$9.99 or $19.99
per year, US App Store; two amounts listed
Yearly subscription with a 7-day free trial, listed at $19.99 and $9.99.
Lifetime access
$29.99 to $69.99
one-time, US App Store; four amounts listed
One-time purchase listed at $29.99, $49.99, $59.99 and $69.99. It is charged immediately, with a 7-day refund in place of a trial.
Trying it first
7-day free trial on monthly and yearly plans; lifetime is charged at once with a 7-day refund
Read from apps.apple.com on Oct 6, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Lifetime license
Lifetime access for a one-time payment
A lifetime option is sold alongside the monthly and yearly plans. The US App Store lists it at $29.99 to $69.99, and the vendor says it is charged immediately with a 7-day refund.
Stated on apps.apple.com
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for “Annual Plan”, against $19.99 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.
| Country | Price there | In dollars | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines | ₱ 999.00 | $15.90 | 20% less |
| Turkey | ₺799,99 | $16.27 | 19% less |
| Indonesia | Rp 299ribu | $16.72 | 16% less |
| Canada | $24.99 | $17.57 | 12% less |
| Germany | 19,99 € | $22.40 | 12% more |
| United Kingdom | £17.99 | $23.78 | 19% more |
| Brazil | R$ 119,90 | $23.96 | 20% more |
| South Africa | R399.99 | $24.19 | 21% more |
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: iOS and Android
Text-only home screen and app blocker for Android and iPhone. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: one-time purchase, site & app blocker.
- Icon-free home screen
- A text-only list of apps takes the place of the icon grid. On Android the app is a launcher that replaces the default home screen; on iPhone the layout is built from text-based widgets.
- App and website blocking
- Block chosen apps and websites for a few hours, or put apps into a detox mode that the Android page says can run for 30 days.
- Mindful launch delay
- A 15-second pause before a chosen app opens, intended to interrupt the habit of opening apps without thinking.
- In-app reminders
- Set a time limit each time you open an app. A reminder appears while you are in it, and you are pushed out when the time is up.
- Blocking schedules
- Recurring windows in which chosen apps are blocked, for work, study or sleep. The vendor's iOS page lists them, while its App Store description still says they are coming soon.
- Notification filter and monochrome mode
- On Android you can hide apps and their notifications and show selected apps in black and white. The Google Play listing also mentions blocking short videos.
Where it runs
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
minimalist phone is made by Hachi Media OÜ.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
18/65
Other focus apps it is graded above
minimalist phone's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 18 of the 65 other focus apps we grade, and level with 11.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 40 of 65) and worst on ease of use (C, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $0.83 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $2.82 for the category: 0 of the 45 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. 4 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 66 focus apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. minimalist phone’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 40 of 65
- CFree plan and trialAbove 5 of 65
- CFeaturesAbove 3 of 65
- CEase of useAbove 0 of 65
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 8 of 65
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 56 focus apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. minimalist phone is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Your call
A focus timer at its plainest counts down 25 minutes and keeps a log.
minimalist phone sits between: not beyond making, and not a weekend's work either. What you would give up is listed below. Whether that is worth the price is your call. At $9.99 a year it costs less than the weekend it would take to replace, which is the argument for keeping it.
What you could not
- Blocking that reaches every browser and app and is hard to switch off.
- A real app for iOS and Android. Something home-made would be a web page.
- Hooks into the device itself: widgets.
What this rests on. minimalist phone’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Opal, one sec, ScreenZen, AppBlock and Clearspace
The 5 tools minimalist phone is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Opal
Free plan · from $8.29/mo
Screen time app that blocks distracting apps on phone and Mac.
- Opal has a free plan. minimalist phone does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Opal lists a macOS app.
- Opal also covers focus music.
- 3.0GPA
one sec
Free plan · from $3.99/mo
Screen time app that adds a pause before distracting apps open.
- one sec has a free plan. minimalist phone does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only one sec lists a macOS app.
- Only one sec lists a browser extension.
- 3.6GPA
ScreenZen
Free
Free app that delays and blocks distracting apps and sites.
- ScreenZen has a free plan. minimalist phone does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only ScreenZen lists macOS and Windows apps.
- minimalist phone can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.8GPA
AppBlock
Free plan · from $2.50/mo
App and website blocker with schedules and a strict mode.
- AppBlock has a free plan. minimalist phone does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only AppBlock lists a browser extension.
- AppBlock also covers Pomodoro timer.
- 2.6GPA
Clearspace
Free plan · from $6.99/mo
Screen time app that adds a pause and a time limit to distracting apps.
- Clearspace has a free plan. minimalist phone does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Clearspace lists a browser extension.
- minimalist phone can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is minimalist phone free?
No, minimalist phone is a paid product, but you can try it first. 7-day free trial on monthly and yearly plans; lifetime is charged at once with a 7-day refund.
How much does minimalist phone cost?
minimalist phone lists 3 plans. Monthly Plan: $2.99 or $4.99 per month, US App Store; two amounts listed.
What platforms does minimalist phone work on?
minimalist phone is available on Android and iOS.
Does minimalist phone offer any discounts?
minimalist phone publicly lists the following: Lifetime access for a one-time payment.
Does minimalist phone have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. minimalist phone is listed for Android and iOS.
Does minimalist phone have a macOS app?
No macOS app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. minimalist phone is listed for Android and iOS.
Is minimalist phone open source?
minimalist phone is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
Who makes minimalist phone?
minimalist phone is made by Hachi Media OÜ.
What are the alternatives to minimalist phone?
The closest alternatives to minimalist phone in our directory are Opal, one sec, ScreenZen, AppBlock and Clearspace.
How does minimalist phone compare with other focus apps?
minimalist phone's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 18 of the 65 other focus apps we grade, and level with 11.
Is minimalist phone good value for money?
ToolGPA grades minimalist phone A for value for money. Its paid plans start at $0.83 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $2.82 for the category: 0 of the 45 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of minimalist phone?
A focus timer at its plainest counts down 25 minutes and keeps a log. minimalist phone sits between: not beyond making, and not a weekend's work either.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from minimalist phone’s own pages on Oct 6, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from minimalist phone's own pages on 6 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-04-16.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Hachi Media OÜ. Prices change, so check minimalistphone.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- minimalist phone, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/minimalist-phone
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "minimalist phone: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 6, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/minimalist-phone
Know someone choosing between focus apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/minimalist-phone/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded focus apps after minimalist phone, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Focus Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 66 focus apps we grade, compared
- ScreenZen Insider's GuideFree app that delays and blocks distracting apps and sites3.6 GPA
- Flora Insider's GuideFree focus timer that grows trees, alone or with friends3.2 GPA
- Flow Insider's GuideMinimal Pomodoro timer for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what minimalist phone’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. minimalist phone is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Hachi Media OÜ. Prices and plans change: check minimalistphone.com before you buy.