Semo vs one sec
one sec adds a short pause before an app opens. Semo adds a short conversation. Both are about the moment of opening, not about hard blocking.
Should I choose Semo or one sec?
It depends on whether you want a pause or a conversation. one sec delays an app with a pause such as a breathing exercise, is free for one app, and has research behind the idea. Semo asks why you are opening the app and responds to your answer. one sec suits you if you want something light and cheap; Semo suits you if a generic pause becomes something you tap through.
At a glance (as of 19 October 2026)
| Semo | one sec | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | An AI chat when you open a guarded app; ends in a timed pass or a nudge. | Inserts a configurable pause or other intervention when you open selected apps or sites. Optional intention prompts. |
| How firm it is | A nudge you can dismiss. No hard lock today. | A delay, not a lock. Pro adds strict block sessions, per the developer. |
| AI conversation | Yes: a short chat with an AI model, after you agree to send text. | Its intention prompts ask you to type or pick an intention. We found nothing saying it uses an AI chat. |
| Price (as listed) | Planned $59.99 per year (7-day trial) or $9.99 per month. | Free for one app. The developer's page says Pro is $19 per year; students 50% off. |
| Platform | iPhone, adults 18+. | iPhone, Android and desktop browsers (Pro features vary by platform), per the developer. |
| Evidence and reviews | None yet. Semo is not on the App Store yet (launching soon). | A 2023 study co-authored by its developer reported a 57% average drop in targeted app use over six weeks (as reported by a review site; developer-co-authored; we have not checked the paper). |
Where one sec is stronger
- Much cheaper, with a free tier, and it is on sale now.
- Published research, though co-authored by the developer.
- Works across iPhone, Android and desktop browsers.
Where Semo is different
- It responds to what you say instead of showing the same pause every time.
- Aims at the 'why am I here?' question using your own stated goals.
- Costs more, because every check-in runs an AI model.
Pick the one that fits
Choose one sec if
- You want the cheapest, simplest friction.
- A breathing pause is enough to break the habit for you.
- You use Android or a desktop browser too.
Choose Semo if
- Pauses have become something you tap through.
- You want your own goals reflected back to you.
- You can wait for launch and accept sending chat text to an AI service.
Sources and what we could not verify
Facts about one sec come from the public pages below, read on 19 October 2026. Products change, so check the source before you decide. If something here is out of date, tell us on the support page and we will fix it. We have no commercial relationship with one sec.
- one sec: what is included in Pro (checked 19 October 2026)
- one sec on the App Store (checked 19 October 2026)
- WhistleOut review of one sec (secondary source for the study claim) (checked 19 October 2026)