# SEMA3 vs BePresent

The clearest difference is rating: BePresent at 4.8 against SEMA3's 3.1. BePresent also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (69% vs 40%). SEMA3's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. BePresent sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. SEMA3 asks for nothing beyond the download.

BePresent holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BePresent has 72K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of SEMA3's written reviews are positive against 69% of BePresent's.

SEMA3 ships an update every 2 months, BePresent every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SEMA3 | BePresent |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.1 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sema3/id1427120118/reviews) | **[4.8 (72K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bepresent-screen-time-control/id1644737181/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **72K** |
| Positive reviews | 40.0% of reviews | **68.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#40** |
| Size | 38 MB | 107 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Richard Sinnott](https://appshunter.io/developer/1080236817) | [Screen Detox Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1644737183) |

## What reviewers say

### SEMA3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sema3/id1427120118)

Design and conduct smartphone-based survey research with this comprehensive software suite. It offers tools for creating and deploying ecological momentary assessments directly on mobile devices.

**Highlights:** Design survey research, Conduct smartphone surveys, Ecological momentary assessment, Mobile survey deployment, Research software suite

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### BePresent

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bepresent-screen-time-control/id1644737181)

**Currently charting:** #40 Top Grossing · Productivity, #64 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

This app helps you reduce screen time through app blocking, gamification, and real-life rewards. It offers individual and group sessions, goal setting with monetary stakes, and leaderboards to motivate users. Earn points redeemable for wellness services by limiting phone usage.

**Highlights:** App blocking sessions (individual, group, BEAST MODE), Set daily goals and build streaks, Monetary stakes for commitment, Weekly leaderboards and friend challenges, Earn real-life rewards, Hourly scrolling awareness reminders, Time tracking and daily reports

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Monthly (1-Week Free Trial) | $14.99 | per month |
| Annual (1-Week Free Trial) | $24.99 | per year |
| BePresent Pro (Annual) | $24.99 | per year |
| BePresent Pro (Annual) | $29.99 | per year |
| Annual (3-Day Free Trial) | $59.99 | per year |
| Annual (30-day Trial) | $59.99 | per year |
| Annual (1-Week Free Trial) | $59.99 | per year |
| Annual (2-week Free Trial) | $59.99 | per year |
| BePresent Pro Family (iCloud) | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Helps reduce screen time
- 👍 Gamification and rewards system
- 🤝 Ability to compete with friends
- 🕰️ Provides helpful notifications and reminders
- 💡 Innovative approach to tackling phone addiction

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent screen time tracking
- 🔒 Inability to selectively block apps
- 💰 Paywall for advanced features
- 🤖 Condescending and passive-aggressive notifications
- 🔧 Buggy and glitchy performance

**Reported bugs**

- Freezing and crashing issues
- Inaccurate screen time reporting
- Inability to restore purchases
- Persistent app blocking even after uninstallation
- Setup process getting stuck on permissions

**Requested features**

- Allow selective app blocking
- Exclude certain apps from screen time tracking
- More customization options for notifications
- Expand to iPad and other devices
- Improve overall stability and reliability


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SEMA3 free?

SEMA3 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is BePresent free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SEMA3 or BePresent?

BePresent is rated higher. SEMA3 averages 3.1 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while BePresent averages 4.8 from 72K ratings.

### Do SEMA3 or BePresent have ads?

BePresent shows ads; SEMA3 does not.

### Which is updated more often, SEMA3 or BePresent?

SEMA3 ships an update every 2 months, and BePresent every 5 days. Most recently, SEMA3 was updated on November 2, 2026 and BePresent on November 11, 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.*