# Freedom vs Screen Time

The clearest difference is price: Freedom at Free against Screen Time's $4.99. Freedom also leads on ratings volume (5.9K vs 2) and chart position (#183 vs unranked). Screen Time's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (100% vs 64%). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Freedom is free to download; Screen Time costs $4.99 up front. Freedom sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. Screen Time asks for nothing beyond the download.

Screen Time holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Freedom has 5.9K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Freedom's written reviews are positive against 100% of Screen Time's.

Freedom ships an update every 9 days, Screen Time every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Freedom | Screen Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $4.99 |
| Rating | [4.4 (5.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freedom-screen-time-control/id1269788228/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-appstops/id6670757501/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **5.9K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 64.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Paid** |
| Best chart rank | **#183** | — |
| Size | 90 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.1** | 17.5 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Eighty Percent Solutions](https://appshunter.io/developer/960372430) | [Yoshiharu Yamada](https://appshunter.io/developer/924854708) |

## What reviewers say

### Freedom

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freedom-screen-time-control/id1269788228)

**Currently charting:** #183 Top Grossing · Productivity (US App Store)

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:** Safari Extension, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $8.99 | per month |
| Freedom Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Freedom Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Freedom Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Freedom Forever | $199.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Effective at blocking distractions
- 👍 Customizable blocklists
- 🔒 Locked mode prevents bypassing
- 💡 Cross-device sync
- 👍 Helpful for productivity and focus

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent blocking, doesn't always work as expected
- 🐛 Scheduled sessions don't always start automatically
- 🐛 Buggy, crashes frequently
- 🔒 Easy to bypass by disabling VPN or deleting app
- 👎 Limited app blocking on iOS

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-appstops/id6670757501)

This tool helps you control your phone usage by blocking app actions based on custom rules. Set daily or weekly limits, schedule restrictions, or temporarily block apps for focused tasks. It offers a strict blocking screen with no bypass options, ensuring adherence to your digital detox goals.

**Highlights:** Strict blocking screen with no ignore option, Focus Mode for app restrictions, Daily/weekly app usage limits, Usage time notifications, Time-based app restrictions, Temporary app blocking with timer, Manual blocking via Control Center/Action Button/Shortcuts

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Freedom free?

Freedom is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Screen Time free?

Screen Time costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Freedom or Screen Time?

Screen Time is rated higher. Freedom averages 4.4 out of 5 from 5.9K ratings, while Screen Time averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Freedom or Screen Time have ads?

Neither Freedom nor Screen Time shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Freedom or Screen Time?

Freedom ships an update every 9 days, and Screen Time every 3 days. Most recently, Freedom was updated on September 26, 2026 and Screen Time on September 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*