ARCO review
A focused iPhone planner for time blocking, habits, and distraction control.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
ARCO is an iPhone day-planning and focus app for people who want a structured daily timeline with fewer distractions. Its time-blocked planner brings tasks, habits, and events into one view, while one-tap mirroring can copy the previous day’s structure. The app also includes wake-up alarms, focus timers, lock-screen and Dynamic Island controls, habit streaks, and Screen Time-based usage insights. It is best suited to iPhone users who prefer a focused routine rather than a broad, cross-platform planning system.
Pricing keeps the core planner accessible through a Free plan available forever. That tier includes the full day planner and timeline, wake-up alarm, focus timer and lock-screen controls, three fully blocked sessions per week, and two habits with streaks. Pro is listed at $3.99 per month or $29.99 per year, with a 7-day free trial. It adds app blocking on every session, Strict mode with no exit, recurring Blocked Hours auto-lock, unlimited habits, full history, and weekly recaps. The annual plan lowers the stated monthly equivalent compared with paying monthly, while the free tier covers basic planning and limited focus use.
ARCO’s strongest distinction is the connection between planning and distraction control. Users can schedule a day, start focus sessions that block selected apps, and use recurring blocked hours for automatic app blocking. Strict mode is designed for sessions that should not end early, while usage insights and weekly reviews support reflection on phone habits. The trade-off is a narrow ecosystem: ARCO is available on iOS and does not include calendar integrations. Choose it if app blocking, time blocking, and habit tracking belong in the same iPhone routine. Choose an alternative if you need broader platform coverage or calendar-connected planning.
ARCO pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Time-blocked timeline combines tasks, habits, and events
- Focus sessions can block apps, with strict mode and recurring blocked hours
- Free plan includes planning, alarms, focus controls, and limited habits
- Where it doesn't
- Available only on iOS
- No calendar integrations
- Free plan limits blocked sessions to three per week and habits to two
ARCO fact sheet, pricing and score →
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