Comparison

HabitStop vs CTRL

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

Head to head
About

HabitStop

This app helps users break bad habits by setting up a system of accountability. Users define habits to quit and associated punishments for failure, then track their progress daily. The app guides users through the process of overcoming unwanted behaviors.

Highlights
  • Define habits to quit
  • Set punishments for failure
  • Daily progress tracking
  • Accountability system
  • Kick bad habits
Features
Read full description

HabitStop helps you break your bad habits. It's as simple as: 1) Tell HabitStop what you are trying to quit and the punishments you want to pay if you fail. 2) Answer daily a question about whether or not you succeeded. 3) Kick your habit to the curb!

About

CTRL

Features
Read full description

CTRL is a focus timer, app blocker, and habit builder in one. The rule is simple: you earn credits by focusing, and you spend them to open the apps that steal your hours. Run out, and the scroll stops until you put in the work. It turns willpower into an economy so you don't have to rely on willpower at all. WHY CTRL WORKS WHEN OTHER FOCUS APPS DON'T Most productivity and screen time apps just block apps and hope you don't switch them off. CTRL doesn't fight your dopamine it puts a price on it. Every distraction costs credits you can only earn through real focused work. That's what makes the habit stick. FOCUS TO EARN • Run focus sessions (25, 50, or 90 minutes) and bank credits • Keep your phone face-down during a session for a +50% bonus • Longer, distraction-free deep work pays the most • Build a daily focus habit and track your time like a pro BLOCK THE APPS THAT EAT YOUR TIME • Shield TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, X and more using Apple Screen Time • Block distracting websites too, so Safari can't reopen the same feeds (Pro) • The most addictive apps cost the most credits to open PAY TO OPEN — EVERY TIME • Before a blocked app opens, CTRL asks why and charges you credits • Every "I'm bored" tap is logged, so you get a real distraction tracker for your worst habits • See your triggers and take back control of your attention RECOVERY MODE FOR THE HARD DAYS • Binge patterns automatically trigger a fairer economy: earn more, spend less • Miss a day and a freeze covers your streak — built to catch the spiral, not punish it HONEST BY DESIGN • Credits are earned by focusing never bought with money • Your Screen Time data never leaves your device. CTRL can't see which apps you use. • No ads. No tracking. No account or login required. MADE FOR Anyone fighting phone addiction, doomscrolling, and procrastination students, founders, writers, remote workers, and anyone who wants focus, productivity, and self-control on their own terms. A focus app, app blocker, screen time limiter, distraction blocker, and habit tracker rolled into one. CTRL PRO Upgrade to block unlimited apps and websites, schedule unlimited unlock windows, and more. Monthly or annual, with a 7-day free trial on the annual plan. Use it, but pay for it.

Screenshots

HabitStop4 screens
CTRL4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: HabitStop at 11.0 against CTRL's 17.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. HabitStop sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and CTRL 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

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
HabitStop versus CTRL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHabitStopCTRL
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (60 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings60 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDito Technologies LLCJibran Ahmed

In-app purchases

5 purchases

HabitStop

One-time5
  • Level 1 Fine$0.99
  • Level 2 Fine$1.99
  • Level 3 Fine$2.99
Show 2 more
  • Level 4 Fine$3.99
  • Level 5 Fine$4.99
2 purchases

CTRL

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is HabitStop free?
HabitStop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CTRL free?
CTRL is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do HabitStop or CTRL have ads?
Neither HabitStop nor CTRL shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HabitStop or CTRL?
HabitStop ships an update every 3 weeks, and CTRL every 3 weeks. Most recently, HabitStop was updated on October 24, 2026 and CTRL on October 28, 2026.

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