Your textbook is open. Your phone is face-down.

45 seconds later you’re watching TikToks.

Sound familiar? Here are apps that actually help.

The Student Focus Problem

The average student checks their phone 150 times a day. That’s once every 6 minutes during waking hours.

Every interruption costs 23 minutes to fully refocus. Do the math.

You’re not dumb. You’re not lazy. You’re fighting against billion-dollar companies designed to steal your attention.

Use tools to fight back.

Quick Comparison

AppBest ForPriceBlocks Apps?
FocusTimerTiming study sessionsFreeNo
ForestGamificationFree/PaidSoft block
FloraStudy with friendsFreeHard block
Cold Turkey BlockerSerious blockingFree/PaidYes
OpaliPhone blocking$99/yearYes

Top Concentration Apps for Students

1. FocusTimer

Price: Free Best for: Timing study sessions

Simple. Start a timer. Study until it ends. Take a break. Repeat.

Why students love it:

  • Customizable session lengths (25-90 minutes)
  • Break reminders so you don’t burn out
  • Study stats to show your actual hours
  • Apple Watch support (check time without phone)

Why it works:

  • Seeing a timer creates urgency
  • Scheduled breaks prevent the “I’ll just study for 5 hours straight” burnout
  • Stats show you’re studying more than you thought (or less)

Download →

2. Forest

Price: Free (premium $4) Best for: Students who need visual motivation

Your tree grows while you study. Leave the app, tree dies.

Why students love it:

  • Cute, satisfying visuals
  • Multiplayer mode (plant trees with friends)
  • Virtual coins unlock new trees
  • Can plant real trees through app partnership

Why it works:

  • Nobody wants to kill their tree
  • Competition with friends adds accountability
  • Satisfying to see your forest grow over a semester

The catch:

  • Doesn’t actually block apps (you can leave)
  • Guilt-based motivation doesn’t work for everyone

3. Flora

Price: Free Best for: Group study accountability

Like Forest, but with friends and real consequences.

Why students love it:

  • Invite friends to focus sessions
  • If anyone fails, everyone’s tree dies
  • Can set real money stakes (donate to charity if you fail)
  • Group pressure actually works

Why it works:

  • Social accountability is powerful
  • Nobody wants to be the person who killed the group tree
  • Money stakes add serious motivation

The catch:

  • Need friends using the app
  • Can be stressful with real money

4. Cold Turkey Blocker

Price: Free (Pro $39 one-time) Best for: Serious distraction blocking

When you absolutely cannot be trusted.

Why students love it:

  • Blocks websites AND apps
  • Can’t be bypassed during a session (seriously)
  • Schedule blocks for exam periods
  • Works on computer

Why it works:

  • If you can’t access Instagram, you can’t scroll Instagram
  • Scheduled blocks mean no willpower needed
  • Locked sessions can’t be cheated

The catch:

  • Pro version costs money
  • Can be TOO restrictive
  • No mobile app (desktop only)

5. Opal

Price: $99/year Best for: iPhone distraction blocking

The most effective phone app blocker that exists.

Why students love it:

  • Actually blocks apps (hard to bypass)
  • Beautiful interface
  • Shows how much time you waste
  • Focus sessions with scheduling

Why it works:

  • Other blockers have workarounds. Opal doesn’t.
  • Screen time data is eye-opening
  • Scheduling builds consistent study habits

The catch:

  • Expensive for students
  • iPhone only
  • Requires commitment

Free vs Paid: What’s Worth It?

Free options that work:

  • FocusTimer (full features free)
  • Forest basic version
  • Cold Turkey Blocker free tier
  • iOS Screen Time (built into iPhone)

Worth paying for:

  • Forest premium if you love the gamification
  • Opal if you have zero willpower
  • Cold Turkey Pro for long study sessions

Don’t pay for:

  • Apps that charge monthly for a timer
  • Anything over $50/year as a student

Study Session Blueprint

Here’s how to actually use these apps:

Before Studying

  1. Put phone in another room (or use blocker)
  2. Start your timer app
  3. Have ONE task defined (not “study” but “finish chapter 3”)

During Studying

  1. Focus until timer ends
  2. No phone checks (tree is growing)
  3. If interrupted, restart timer

Breaks

  1. 5-10 minute break
  2. Walk away from desk
  3. Don’t check phone (this is the trap)
  4. Return and start new session

After Studying

  1. Log total time
  2. Review what you accomplished
  3. Plan tomorrow’s session

The Honest Truth

Apps help, but they can’t study for you.

The student who puts their phone in another room and uses a kitchen timer will out-study the student with 5 concentration apps who keeps making exceptions.

Tools are supplements, not solutions.

The best strategy:

  1. Phone in another room
  2. Website blocker on computer
  3. Simple timer
  4. Defined tasks
  5. Scheduled breaks

That’s it. Everything else is optimization.

FAQ

What’s the best free concentration app for students? FocusTimer for timing, Forest basic for gamification. Both free, both work.

How long should study sessions be? Start with 25 minutes. Work up to 50-90 minutes over time.

How do I stop checking my phone during study? Physically remove it. Different room. Not face-down, not in drawer. Gone.

Do these apps work for ADHD? They can help, but might need more aggressive blocking. Talk to a professional about specific strategies.

What about Pomodoro apps? Most focus apps ARE Pomodoro apps. 25 minutes + 5 minute break is the classic formula.

Related reads:

— Dolce