Should you build a product in this niche? An answer from the numbers: search demand, competitors, napkin economics and what to build first.
Updated · How TGGET measures a niche
Verdict · confidence: medium
The 'app blocker' niche presents a 'maybe' opportunity with medium confidence. While search visibility is open (2 out of 3 checked SERPs are weak), overall demand is declining (-18% YoY) and App Store competition is high with established giants. The primary entry point is 'app blocker apps', but success requires differentiating from unstable, battery-draining competitors like Opal and BePresent. The declining trend suggests a saturated or shifting market, so entry is viable only if a specific technical advantage (stability, no-bypass) is proven.
| Factor | Value | Level | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demand | 4,400 searches a month | medium | 0 |
| Change over a year | -18% over a year | stable | 0 |
| App store | 11 of 47 apps with 10,000+ ratings, median 935 ratings | contested | 0 |
| Search results | 2 of 3 checked search results are weak, 0 strong | open | +1 |
| Paid traffic | $3.79 a click, people pay in this niche | medium | 0 |
Sum of scores: +1. The verdict is computed by rules from the numbers of the research; its explanation is written by the model.
Source: TGGET, researched on 27 September 2026.
Entry point: "app blocker apps": 4,400 searches a month, weak search results.
Positioning
A reliable, battery-efficient app blocker that guarantees blocking without crashes or easy bypasses, targeting users frustrated by current market leaders' instability.
For whom:
Main job: Block distracting apps and websites reliably without draining battery or crashing, ensuring the user stays focused.
Platform
IOS+ANDROID
Monetization: Freemium with Subscription · Competitors like Opal and Freedom use subscription models (pricing: true). Free tier for basic blocking, premium for advanced features and anti-bypass.
1The app drains my battery quickly or crashes on launch, making it unusable. strong
Evidence: 12 complaints from reviews (Opal, BePresent) citing battery drain and crashes (review_stats.low_share 0.37).
What the product does: Optimize code for low power consumption and ensure stability across OS updates.
2The app is too easy to bypass, allowing me to cheat the block. strong
Evidence: 1 complaint from BePresent review stating it is 'too easy to bypass'.
What the product does: Implement deep system-level blocking that prevents uninstallation or disabling during active sessions.
3Hidden charges or lack of cancellation options. medium
Evidence: 2 complaints from BePresent reviews citing unauthorized charges and inability to delete the app.
What the product does: Transparent billing with clear trial expiration notifications and easy one-tap cancellation.
| Feature | Pain | Priority | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core App Blocking Engine | №1 | must | Directly addresses the primary need to block apps and websites (product cluster demand 15,870). |
| Battery Optimization Mode | №1 | must | Solves the #1 complaint from competitors (battery drain) found in 12 complaints. |
| Anti-Bypass Lock | №2 | should | Addresses the 'easy to bypass' pain point from BePresent reviews. |
| Simple Subscription Management | №3 | should | Mitigates trust issues from hidden charge complaints. |
| Competitor | Type | Pricing | App | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| appblock.app AppBlock - App & Website Blocker for Better Screen Time Control | SaaS | yes | yes | — |
| blok.so The #1 Screen Time Product | Blok | site | no | no | — |
| famisafe.wondershare.com [Official] FamiSafe - The Most Reliable Parental Control App | SaaS | yes | yes | — |
| hiya.com AI Voice Security & Branded Calling Platform | Hiya | SaaS | yes | no | — |
| freedom.to Freedom | App, Website & Internet Blocker | SaaS | yes | yes | — |
| Opal: Screen Time Control OPAL OS CORPORATION | App Store | free | yes | 4.7 · 88,612 |
| AdBlock Pro for Safari Crypto Inc. | App Store | free | yes | 4.5 · 73,294 |
| BePresent: Screen Time Control Screen Detox Inc | App Store | free | yes | 4.8 · 64,778 |
| Brick - Ditch Distractions Brick LLC (Wisconsin) | App Store | free | yes | 4.9 · 55,325 |
| ScreenZen- Screen Time Control ScreenZen LLC | App Store | free | yes | 4.9 · 50,446 |
Price
$4.99/month or $29.99/year
Competitors like Opal and Freedom use similar pricing tiers (pricing: true in competitors.sites).
Does it add up
Positive LTV/CAC ratio (4:1), but payback period is 3 months. Requires strong retention to be profitable.
Customer acquisition cost
$15.00 (Assuming 25% conversion rate from click to paid user, based on $3.79 CPC).
Paid search: CPC $3.79 · bids $0.83–$3.95 · competition: Low
Revenue per customer
$60.00 (Assuming $4.99 monthly price and 12-month retention).
Assumptions to validate:
Product · 19 · 15,870
app blocker apps (4,400) · android app blocker (880) · app and website blocker (1,000) · site blocker app (1,000) · time blocker app (1,000) · website blocker app (1,000)
Commercial · 8 · 1,480
android call blocker app free (320) · app blocker free (480) · free spam blocker app for android (320) · free app blocker android (70) · free ad blocker app for android (90) · free app blocker apps (110)
Comparisons · 13 · 1,620
best spam call blocker app for android (390) · best app blocker apps (390) · best app ad blocker android (140) · best call blocker app android (140) · best free app blocker android (70) · best app blocker for android (110)
home · Core
title: App Blocker - Reliable Screen Time Control (42)
H1: Block Distractions Without Crashes or Battery Drain
description: The most stable app blocker for Android and iOS. Stop screen time addiction with a tool that doesn't drain your battery or crash. (129)
app blocker · app blocker apps · screen time control
Compete with Opal and BePresent by highlighting stability.
feature · Product
title: Android App Blocker - Free & Effective (38)
H1: Best Android App Blocker for Focus
description: Block social media, games, and websites on Android. Free app blocker that works without draining your battery. (110)
android app blocker · app blocker free · social media app blocker
Target high-intent Android users.
comparison · Comparisons
title: Opal vs. Our App Blocker - Why We Don't Crash (45)
H1: Opal Alternative: Stable & Reliable
description: Tired of Opal crashing? See why our app blocker is the stable alternative for screen time control. (98)
best app blocker apps · opal alternative
Leverage competitor complaints in content.
| Topic | Format | When | Phrases |
|---|---|---|---|
| How to Stop Phone Addiction | article | January | app blocker · screen time control |
| Best Android Call Blocker | guide | February | android call blocker app free · spam call blocker |
No, our app is optimized for minimal power consumption, unlike competitors that cause battery drain.
No, our anti-bypass technology ensures you stay focused during your blocked sessions.
Name: FocusBlock: App Blocker (23/30)
Subtitle: Screen Time & Focus (19/30)
Keywords: screen time,distraction,app blocker,website blocker,spam call,android,free,productivity (87/100)
Category: Productivity
Promotional text: The stable app blocker that doesn't drain your battery or crash.
Screenshots:
Name: FocusBlock: App & Website Bloc (30/30)
Short description: Reliable app blocker for Android. No crashes, no battery drain. (63/80)
Key phrases: app blocker, screen time, focus, distraction, website blocker, spam call, android blocker, productivity, self control, digital wellbeing, social media blocker, time management
FocusBlock is the most stable app blocker for Android and iOS. Unlike Opal or BePresent, we guarantee no battery drain and no crashes. Block social media, games, and websites with our unbypassable focus mode. Perfect for reducing screen time and improving productivity. Free to download, premium features available.
The research has no Google Play data: recommendations rely on queries and the App Store.
Benchmarks: 4.5+ (Targeting higher than Opal's 4.72 by fixing stability issues) · 1,000+ (Initial goal to build social proof) · Localizations: en, ru
| Name | .com | .app | App Store | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FocusBlock focusblock | taken | taken | free | Clear, descriptive, and available. |
| StableBlock stableblock | taken | free | free | Highlights the key differentiator. |
| NoCrash nocrash | taken | free | free | Directly addresses the main pain point. |
| FocusGuard focusguard | taken | taken | similar exists | Strong, protective branding. |
| ZenBlock zenblock | taken | taken | similar exists | Appeals to mindfulness and focus. |
Domains checked via RDAP, names via the App Store. Check trademarks before registering.
Block Apps Without Crashes or Battery Drain
The most stable app blocker for Android and iOS. Stop screen time addiction with a tool that works.
Yes, basic blocking is free. Premium features are available via subscription.
Yes, we support both iOS and Android with equal stability.
| Channel | What the data supports | First step | Effort | When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Ads Organic search | Low competition (26) and decent volume (4,400) for 'app blocker apps'. | Create ad groups for 'app blocker apps' and 'android app blocker'. | medium | now |
| App Store Optimization App stores | High competition but weak SERPs allow for organic growth with good ASO. | Optimize title and keywords for 'app blocker' and 'screen time'. | medium | now |
| Reddit & HackerNews Communities | High engagement on 'app blocker' topics (2,633 total mentions). | Post 'Show HN' or Reddit threads about building a stable app blocker. | low | at launch |
| YouTube Tutorials Content and video | Informational queries for 'how to block apps' are present. | Create a video on 'How to stop phone addiction without crashing your phone'. | medium | later |
Metrics:
Interview questions:
| Risk | What to do |
|---|---|
| Technical limitations on iOS sandboxing may prevent true unbypassable blocking. | Use iOS Screen Time API and focus on Android for 'unbypassable' claims initially. |
| High competition from established giants like Opal and Freedom. | Differentiate on stability and battery efficiency, not just features. |
| Declining market demand (-18% YoY). | Expand into adjacent niches like 'call blocker' or 'parental control' if core demand drops further. |
| User trust issues due to past bad experiences with competitors. | Offer a free trial with no credit card required and transparent cancellation. |
The report was written by a language model from the collected research data and may be inaccurate; each recommendation cites its source, verify it against the raw data. Generated 2026-09-27T18:06:04+00:00.
Data: search demand, search results, the App Store, public-interest and developer community signals. The verdict is computed by rules from these numbers; the explanation and the plan are written by a language model. Both are evidence to check, not a promise.
There is demand, but not everything is in its favour. TGGET scored “app blocker” +1 on a scale from -6 to +5. In its favour: search results are open. The verdict is “Needs validation”.
TGGET measured 4,400 monthly searches for “app blocker” in the United States in September 2026. Search interest is about stable: -18% over a year.
2 of 3 checked search results are weak and 0 are strong. 47 competing apps were found in the App Store; 11 of them have more than 10,000 ratings, and the median app has 935 ratings.
A click in paid search costs about $3.79, and competitors in this niche charge for their products.
Through “app blocker apps”: 4,400 searches a month and weak search results.
TGGET computes the verdict by rules from five measured factors: demand, its change over a year, competition in the app stores, the strength of the search results and the cost of paid traffic. Each factor adds or takes away points and the sum decides, so the same numbers always give the same answer. A language model writes the explanation and the plan; it does not choose the verdict.
Three full researches are free: demand, sub-niches, competitors, App Store and community signals, and a report like this one. Type a phrase or describe the idea in your own words.
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