Comparison

Freedom vs Pause

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

Pause

Features
Read full description

Are you losing hours every day to addictive Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok video feeds? In the US, the average person spends over 2.5 to 3.5 hours every single day mindlessly scrolling through short-form videos. That is over 40 full days lost every year! "Quit Reels & Shorts" is a powerful Screen Time utility built using Apple's native FamilyControls to help you break compulsive scrolling habits, protect your concentration, and take back control of your time. Key Features: • Native System-Level App Shielding: Shield distracting short-form video apps and web domains using Apple's native Screen Time API (FamilyControls & ManagedSettings). • Flexible Open Hours Schedules: Set permitted open time windows for specific apps (e.g., 10:00 PM – 10:15 PM). Outside your allowed hours, selected apps remain automatically shielded. • Digital Focus Timer: Launch custom focus sessions (15m, 25m, 45m, 60m) with an interactive digital clock UI that shields distracting apps until your session ends. • Emergency Break Timers: Need a quick break? Request a temporary 5, 10, or 15-minute break with live Dynamic Island and Lock Screen countdown tracking. • Strict Hard Mode: Prevent impulse un-shielding outside your allowed open hours for maximum self-discipline. • Privacy-First On-Device Analytics: Track your daily focus score and recovered hours with 100% on-device DeviceActivityReport analytics. Your personal data never leaves your device. Start your 3-day free trial today and reclaim your focus! Legal & Support Information: • Terms of Use (EULA) : https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula • Terms & Condition : https://quit-reels-shorts.blogspot.com/2026/10/terms-conditions-quit-reels-shorts-root.html • Privacy Policy : https://quit-reels-shorts.blogspot.com/2026/10/privacy-policy-quit-reels-shorts-root.html • Support : https://quit-reels-shorts.blogspot.com/2026/10/contact-us-support-quit-reels-shorts.html

Screenshots

Freedom4 screens
Pause4 screens

Verdict

The call

Freedom and Pause are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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 Pause sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Freedom ships an update every 2 weeks, Pause every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Freedom versus Pause: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFreedomPause
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (6.1K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews64.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings6.1K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.116.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size94 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEighty Percent SolutionsUtsav Akbari

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)

Pause

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
2 purchases

Pause

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Access3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Access3 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Freedom free?
Freedom is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pause free?
Pause is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Freedom or Pause have ads?
Neither Freedom nor Pause shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Freedom or Pause?
Freedom ships an update every 2 weeks, and Pause every 9 days. Most recently, Freedom was updated on November 7, 2026 and Pause on October 31, 2026.

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