Comparison

Freedom vs Screen Time Control

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Freedom

This app helps you block distracting apps and websites to improve focus and productivity. Schedule blocking sessions across all your devices to build better screen time habits and reclaim productive hours.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps and websites
  • Schedule blocking sessions
  • Sync across all devices
  • Block the internet
  • Locked Mode for habit commitment
  • Focus sounds
Features
Read full description

Block distracting apps and websites so you can focus, be more productive, and build better screen time habits. We've built the world's best app and website blocker, trusted by over 3 million individuals and teams to deliver focused attention for the things that matter most. During a Freedom session, when you attempt to open an app or website on your blocklist, Freedom blocks the app from opening and displays a peaceful green screen - reminding you that you're currently free of that distraction. Freedom users report gaining an average of 2.5 hours of productive time every day. They're more fulfilled, happier with work and family life, and have a healthier relationship with their technology. Schedule a Freedom app blocking session to start automatically when you need it – for complete, seamless control over distractions. Because Freedom works across all your devices, you'll feel confident knowing you're in complete control. We call it mindful productivity. There's no limit to the number of devices (including phones, tablets, and computers) you can connect to Freedom, so you can block apps and websites regardless of where you are or what you're doing. You'll stay focused, productive, and distraction-free. "Our favorite distraction-killing app blocker." – Lifehacker "One antidote to the always-on life is Freedom…" – Time Magazine "As Freedom shows, the solution to the problems created by technology isn't anti-technology, but more and better technology." – Huffington Post "Freedom has garnered celeb fans like Dave Eggers, Nick Hornby, Seth Godin, and Nora Ephron." – Mashable PEACE OF MIND - COVER EVERY DEVICE - For one price, Freedom covers all your devices (phones, tablets, and computers) with our powerful distraction-blocking technology. TURN OFF THE NOISE - BLOCK APPS and WEBSITES - Block distracting apps and websites for as long as you want. Select from a pre-made blocklist or create a custom blocklist of your time-consuming distractions. EXPERIENCE TOTAL PEACE - BLOCK THE INTERNET - Block the internet with a single button. Enjoy peace, quiet, and focus, away from all distractions. Freedom won't block important texts or calls, so you can enjoy offline time knowing you can be reached if need be! SMART COVERAGE - SYNC ACROSS YOUR DEVICES - Distractions aren't limited to your phone! Sync block sessions to your phones, tablets, and computers. There's no limit to the number of devices you can use. CREATE GOOD HABITS - USE POWERFUL SCHEDULING - Schedule your blocks now, later, or create recurring blocks to help make focus and productivity a habit. LOCKED MODE - Use Locked Mode to commit to breaking bad digital habits and addictions. FOCUS SOUNDS - Free audio tracks give you an assortment of music, café, office, and nature sounds to help you stay focused and productive, no matter where you are. We're excited about helping you be the best version of yourself. We're continually building new tools - and they're always included in your subscription. We've also got a great Perks program which offers discounts on top productivity products. SUBSCRIPTION PRICING AND TERMS We’re confident that you’ll love Freedom, but just so you can be sure, we offer a 7-day free trial of Freedom Premium. After that it’s only $39.99 per year. Many Freedom users tell us it pays for itself within a few days! These prices are for United States customers. Pricing in other countries may vary and actual charges may be converted to your local currency depending on the country of residence. Your Freedom subscription will automatically renew at the end of each term and your credit card will be charged through your iTunes account. Your subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can turn off auto-renew at any time from your iTunes account settings. Terms and Conditions - https://freedom.to/terms Privacy Policy - https://freedom.to/privacy Thank you!

About

Screen Time Control

This app helps you master your screen time and boost productivity by tracking usage, blocking distracting apps, and setting custom goals. It offers personalized insights and challenges to encourage healthier digital habits and a better online-offline balance.

Highlights
  • Smart screen time tracking
  • App blocking for focus sessions
  • Customizable time limits
  • App impact scoring
  • Friendly competition and challenges
  • Detailed usage analytics
Features
Read full description

LimitUp: Take Control of Your Digital Life Are you ready to master your screen time and boost your productivity? LimitUp is your personal digital wellness coach, helping you understand and optimize your app usage for a healthier, more balanced life. Key Features: Smart Screen Time Tracking • Get a clear picture of your daily, weekly, and monthly app usage • Visualize your habits with intuitive charts and graphs • Receive personalized insights to improve your digital diet Friendly Competition • Challenge friends and family to reduce screen time together • Compete in group challenges for extra motivation • Share your progress and celebrate victories Powerful App Blocking • Create custom "focus sessions" to block distracting apps • Set daily time limits for specific applications • Use different blocking modes: Quick Block, Blocking Session, App Limit, and App Lock App Impact Scoring • Rate how distracting or productive each app is for you • Get suggestions on which apps to use less or more • Understand the impact of your app usage on your overall wellbeing Customizable Goals • Set personalized screen time targets • Create morning and evening routines to bookend your day • Develop better digital habits with guided challenges Detailed Analytics • Track your progress over time with in-depth reports • Identify patterns and trends in your app usage • Use data-driven insights to make positive changes LimitUp is designed to help you regain control over your digital life, increase productivity, and find a better balance between your online and offline worlds. Whether you're looking to cut down on social media, focus more on work, or simply be more mindful of your screen time, LimitUp has the tools you need to succeed. Download LimitUp today and start your journey towards a healthier relationship with technology! Terms of services: https://www.limitup.online/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.limitup.online/privacy

Screenshots

Freedom4 screens
Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Freedom at 4.4 against Screen Time Control's 3.9. Freedom also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (5.9K vs 7). Screen Time Control's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and review sentiment (80% vs 64%). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Freedom sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and Screen Time Control sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Freedom holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Freedom has 5.9K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 64% of Freedom's written reviews are positive against 80% of Screen Time Control's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Freedom ships an update every 9 days, Screen Time Control every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and June 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Freedom versus Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFreedomScreen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (5.9K ratings) — better3.9 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews63.6% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5.9K — better7
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size90 MB47 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEighty Percent SolutionsPerpetio OU

Customer experience

Freedom

All ratings5,878 ratings
Positive85.3%
Neutral3.1%
Negative11.7%
Written reviews1,328 reviews
Positive63.6%
Neutral7.8%
Negative28.7%

Screen Time Control

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

Bugs and requests

Freedom

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Blocks unintended apps/websites
  • Fails to block certain apps like Facebook, Instagram
  • Doesn't work in low power mode on iOS

Requested features

4 requests
  • Allow specific app whitelisting
  • Add time limit/usage tracking features
  • Improve scheduling options (e.g. by day, not just time)
  • Better integration with mobile OS features (e.g. iOS Screen Time)

Screen Time Control

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Freedom

Subscriptions5
  • Monthly Subscription$8.991 Month
  • Freedom Monthly$12.991 Month
  • Freedom Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$39.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Yearly Subscription1 Year trial$39.991 Year
  • Freedom Yearly7 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • Freedom Forever$199.00
3 purchases

Screen Time Control

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Subscription7 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Freedom free?
Freedom is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Screen Time Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Freedom or Screen Time Control?
Freedom is rated higher. Freedom averages 4.4 out of 5 from 5.9K ratings, while Screen Time Control averages 3.9 from 7 ratings.
Do Freedom or Screen Time Control have ads?
Screen Time Control shows ads; Freedom does not.
Which is updated more often, Freedom or Screen Time Control?
Freedom ships an update every 9 days, and Screen Time Control every 3 weeks. Most recently, Freedom was updated on September 26, 2026 and Screen Time Control on June 20, 2026.

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