Icarus vs Freedom: which app blocker is better for studying?
Freedom is a well-known app and website blocker. Icarus is a study app that blocks apps too, but asks you a short review question from your class before it lets you in. If you only want a block, Freedom does that. If you are blocking your phone because of an exam, the question is the difference.
Side by side
| Icarus: Screen Time Control | Freedom | |
|---|---|---|
| What happens when you open a blocked app | You answer a quick review question from your class, then it unlocks | You see a block screen |
| Built for | Students studying for classes and exams | Anyone who wants fewer distractions |
| Free tier | Yes. App blocking, class review, and practice questions | Trial only (7 days) |
| Entry price | $6.99 per month for Scholar, $49.99 per year | $8.99 per month |
| Custom quizzes from your notes | Yes, with Scholar | Not offered in the listing we checked |
Icarus pricing
Free
$0 forever
Everything you need to start the habit.
Scholar
$6.99 per month
Quizzes built from your own notes, slides, and PDFs.
Scholar Yearly
$49.99 per year
Save 40% vs monthly. About $4.17 a month.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Freedom if
you want a general-purpose blocker across devices and you do not need anything to happen at the moment you are blocked.
Pick Icarus if
you are a student and want the block itself to count as review, with a free tier you can keep using after the first week.
Questions
Is Icarus a Freedom alternative?
Yes, if you are a student. Both block distracting apps. Icarus adds a review question from your class before it unlocks, and has a permanent free tier.
Is Icarus cheaper than Freedom?
Icarus is free to start. Scholar, which adds quizzes from your own notes, is $6.99 a month or $49.99 a year. Freedom lists $8.99 a month.
Competitor details are based on their public App Store and Google Play listings and may have changed. Last checked 2026.