Screen Time vs Playful Pause
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Screen Time
This free utility helps parents manage their children's screen time. Set timers, and once they expire, the device becomes difficult to use until unlocked by the parent with Touch ID or a passcode.
- Set screen time timers
- Device lockout after timer expires
- Unlock with Touch ID
- Unlock with passcode
- Free to use
Read full descriptionHide full description
Less screen time, more life time! Controlling how much time your kids spend using screens is important. Screen Time is here to help, for free. 1. Setup a timer 2. Once the timer goes off, your device becomes hard to use for anyone else but you 3. Unlock your device with Touch ID or passcode to make it usable again. It's that simple. This app is free and made by a concerned parent.
Playful Pause
Read full descriptionHide full description
Playful Pause helps parents manage screen time across iPhone, iPad, Windows PCs, and Nintendo Switch. ONE SUBSCRIPTION FOR YOUR FAMILY Both monthly and annual plans include daily screen-time limits, playtime schedules, device pause controls, timed unlocks and bonus time for supported, paired devices. One subscription covers all children and invited co-parents in your Playful Pause family. The plans include the same features; only the billing period differs. Windows PCs require the Playful Pause companion app. Using Playful Pause requires an auto-renewing subscription purchased through Apple. The purchase screen shows the price, billing period and any eligible free trial before you subscribe. Eligible new subscribers can start with a 3-day free trial. After the trial, the subscription renews at the displayed price unless canceled. Existing subscribers can restore purchases. Manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple Account settings. New PlayStation connections are temporarily unavailable while we work on Sony sign-in. Existing connections are unchanged. On iPhone and iPad, Playful Pause uses Apple Family Controls, Device Activity, and Managed Settings. Per-app Screen Time details stay on the child's device; aggregate usage is used to operate shared screen-time limits. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Screen Time at none against Playful Pause's 2. Screen Time also leads on iOS requirement (10.3 vs 17.0). On price, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. Playful Pause sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Screen Time asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | Screen Time | Playful Pause |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.4 (12 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 7.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 12 — better | — |
| Update frequency | — | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 10.3 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 15 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Cantina Software | Aaron Edell |
In-app purchases
Screen Time
No in-app purchases
Playful Pause
- Playful Pause Monthly3 Days trial$7.991 Month
- Playful Pause Annual3 Days trial$59.991 Year
Questions
Is Screen Time free?
Is Playful Pause free?
Do Screen Time or Playful Pause have ads?
Other comparisons















