should you use one sec or dimmer?

one sec is the closest relative to dimmer on this list. both are built on the idea that you shouldn’t have to block a site to stop it taking over: a moment of friction before it opens is often enough. where they differ is in what happens around that moment.

what one sec is

according to its own site, one sec interrupts the opening of distracting apps with a short intervention: taking a deep breath, or one of several other prompts, to break the muscle memory of opening an app without thinking. it’s available for iOS and Android, with a browser extension for Windows, macOS and Linux, and one account syncs across devices. the essentials are free, with paid premium features. its makers say they don’t sell or analyze your data, and that the intervention logic runs on your device.

how dimmer is different

dimmer also starts with a pause: a dimmed site opens after a short countdown, which grows each time you continue the same day. but it goes further on the site itself. the site turns gray from the first frame and its feeds are hidden; with pro, its videos play slower, scrolling takes more effort and a short check-in appears every few minutes. you can write a promise and add a friend who hears if you break it. turning things down waits 24 hours.

	one sec	dimmer
approach	an intervention before opening	a pause before opening, and the site dulled after
devices	iOS, Android, browser extension on computers	Chrome on a computer
inside the site	not mentioned on its site	grayscale, hidden feeds, slow video (pro)
accountability partner	not mentioned on its site	yes
pricing	free essentials, paid premium	free plan, optional pro subscription

when one sec is the better choice

• your phone is where the problem is. dimmer has no phone app at all.
• you want the same gentle friction on your phone and your computer, synced.
• a breathing pause, rather than a countdown, is what works for you.

when dimmer is the better choice

• your laptop is where the time goes, and the pull continues after the site opens.
• you want the site itself to be less rewarding, not only harder to start.
• you want an accountability partner built in.

the two can work side by side: one sec on your phone, dimmer in Chrome on your laptop. for a wider look at the different kinds of tools, see what each kind of browser tool does, and for the laptop habit itself, how to stop doomscrolling on a laptop.

what we say about one sec comes from its own site, checked in october 2026.one sec is a trademark of its owner; dimmer isn’t affiliated with it. if something here is out of date, tell us and we’ll fix it.