# Squirrel: Screen Time Savings — App blocker that pays you back

> App blocker that encourages savings by setting aside money for habit-app usage. (iPhone/iPad app by BRIAN RICHARD HALL.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/squirrel-screen-time-savings/id6803664355 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [BRIAN RICHARD HALL](https://appshunter.io/developer/6803664357)
- Category: Productivity, Finance
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 26.0 · 14 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-09-15
- Data updated: 2026-09-22
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/squirrel-screen-time-savings/id6803664355/reviews.md

## What is Squirrel?

Some apps you open on purpose. Some you open out of habit. Squirrel turns the habit into savings, money you keep and invest.

I almost never chose to open Instagram, it was always a knee-jerk reaction to being on my phone with nothing better to do. Growing up, staying focused and managing my time has always been a real struggle for me, and as social media got bigger, I felt more and more susceptible to doom scrolling and being careless with how I used these apps.

But I never wanted to delete them. I truly believe there's a time and place for all of them. A lot of my relationships are better because of social media, whether that be from sending memes to friends, looking back on old memories, meeting my college roommate (true story), and even meeting my now girlfriend (another true story). It would be hypocritical to say social media hasn't improved my life, it certainly has. But the problem is the other side of it, the hours I lost without consciously deciding to.

I've tried the built-in screen time limits. I had Instagram capped at 40 minutes a day... that same week I spent 12 hours and 48 minutes on it, more than double my next most used app, because "ignore limit for today" is one tap away. The week after I started using Squirrel it was 1 hour and 45 minutes. The week after that, 56 minutes. That's just my usage, but the drop was hard to argue with.

Squirrel is different because it doesn't treat these apps as the enemy. Other apps do the blocking part, but none of them connect it to the other thing people my age are behind on, which is investing. Two problems most college students and young adults have: too much time on their phones, and no idea where to start with money. Squirrel puts them together so each one fixes the other.

HOW IT WORKS

Pick the apps you want to put behind a decision.
Opening one is your cue to set a few dollars aside for yourself.
Nothing is charged. No money moves through Squirrel. It only records what you set aside.
You invest it yourself, wherever you already invest, and tell Squirrel what you bought.
The optional Portfolio upgrade tracks it so you can watch it grow.

NOTHING IS CHARGED

Opening a blocked app is always free. The amount you set aside is a note to yourself, like a swear jar. Squirrel never processes a payment for it, never connects to your bank or brokerage, and never moves money. You decide what to do with it, outside the app.

There are no goals, no targets, no limits, and no streaks. There is nothing to fail.

FREE AND PAID

Blocking, setting money aside, and your savings history are free forever. The Portfolio view (holdings, growth charts, market prices, and projections) is an optional paid upgrade: $19.99 once, or $8.99/year auto-renewing. Prices may vary by region. Portfolio features shown in the screenshots are part of this upgrade, and have nothing to do with blocking or opening apps.

No account, no login, no ads, no tracking. Everything stays on your phone and in your own iCloud.

Squirrel is not a bank, broker, or financial advisor and does not give investment advice. You make every investment yourself. Any growth figures shown are illustrations, not guarantees.

Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Privacy Policy: https://brian-hall-dev.github.io/squirrel-site/#privacy

## Key features

- App blocking for habit-forming applications
- Set aside money for each app opening
- Track savings history
- Optional portfolio tracking for investments
- No account or login required
- No ads or tracking

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Portfolio Annual | $8.99 | per year |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Portfolio Lifetime | $19.99 | one-time |



## Frequently asked questions about Squirrel

### What is Squirrel?

Squirrel is an app designed to help you manage your screen time by encouraging you to set aside money each time you open a chosen habit-forming app. It aims to reduce mindless scrolling and connect this habit to personal savings and investment.

### How does Squirrel work?

You select apps you want to track. When you open one, Squirrel prompts you to set aside a specified amount of money. This amount is a record and is not processed by the app; you manage your actual savings and investments independently.

### Does Squirrel charge money for blocking apps?

No, opening a blocked app is always free. The amount you set aside is a note to yourself, like a swear jar. Squirrel never processes payments, connects to your bank, or moves money.

### What are the costs associated with Squirrel?

The core features of blocking apps, setting money aside, and viewing your savings history are free forever. An optional 'Portfolio' upgrade for tracking holdings, growth, and market prices costs $19.99 once or $8.99/year.

### Does Squirrel have ads?

No, Squirrel is ad-free. The developer explicitly states that there are no ads, no tracking, and everything stays on your phone and in your iCloud.

### What devices does Squirrel support?

Based on the provided data, Squirrel is currently supported on iPhone devices.

### How often is Squirrel updated?

Squirrel was last updated on September 16, 2026, with version 1.0.1. This indicates a recent update, suggesting ongoing development and maintenance.

### Is Squirrel suitable for children?

Squirrel has an age rating of 4+, making it broadly accessible. However, its financial and habit-management features are most relevant for young adults and college students.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.0.1 — 2026-09-16

No release notes.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-22.*