# Bark vs BePresent

The clearest difference is review sentiment: BePresent at 68% against Bark's 13%. BePresent also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.3) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). Bark's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Bark sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and BePresent sells 23 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

BePresent holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 36K and 69K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 13% of Bark's written reviews are positive against 68% of BePresent's.

Bark ships an update every 2 months, BePresent every 5 days. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bark | BePresent |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (36K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bark-parental-controls/id1477619146/reviews) | **[4.8 (69K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bepresent-screen-time-control/id1644737181/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 36K | **69K** |
| Positive reviews | 12.9% of reviews | **68.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #73 | **#23** |
| Size | 53 MB | 106 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bark Technologies, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1164495252) | [Screen Detox Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1644737183) |

## What reviewers say

### Bark

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bark-parental-controls/id1477619146)

**Currently charting:** #73 Top Grossing · Productivity (US App Store)

This service helps families manage their children's digital lives by monitoring online content, managing screen time, and filtering websites. It alerts parents to potential issues like cyberbullying or adult content, offering peace of mind.

**Highlights:** Content monitoring for texts, email, YouTube, and social media, Alerts for cyberbullying, adult content, and threats, Screen time limits and scheduling, Website filtering by category or specific sites, Monitors 30+ apps and social media platforms

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bark Jr Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| Bark Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Bark Jr Annual | $49.99 | per year |
| Bark Annual | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 💯 Solid recommendation
- 🔒 Helps keep watch over family
- 🔒 Necessary for child safety
- 🚀 Disturbingly good app so far
- 🚀 Unique helpful tracker

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Very hard to navigate
- 🐛 Can't install
- 🐛 Annoying features
- 🐛 Useless, don't waste money
- 🐛 Confusion during setup

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent disconnections and reconnections required
- Inability to monitor certain popular apps like TikTok and Snapchat
- Delayed alerts and notifications
- Unexpected phone performance issues like slower speeds and battery drain

**Requested features**

- Improve compatibility with iOS devices
- Provide cloud-based backups instead of manual device backups
- Add password protection to prevent app uninstallation
- Improve sensitivity settings and notification management


### BePresent

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

**Currently charting:** #23 Top Grossing · Productivity, #26 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

This app helps you regain control of your screen time through app blocking, gamified challenges, and real-life rewards. It encourages users to reduce phone usage, improve productivity, and enhance mental well-being by making digital detox engaging and beneficial.

**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 (e.g., subscriptions, classes), Hourly Scrolling Awareness Reminders, Time Tracking and Daily Reports

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

**In-app purchases (23)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Monthly (Mid Tier) | $6.99 | per month |
| Monthly (1-Week Free Trial) | $6.99 | per month |
| Monthly (1-Week Free Trial) | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly (1-Week Free Trial) | $14.99 | per month |
| Annual | $24.99 | per year |
| Annual (Mid Tier) | $24.99 | per year |
| Annual (1-Week Free Trial) | $24.99 | per year |
| BePresent Pro (Annual) | $24.99 | per year |
| Free Trial for BePresent Pro | $24.99 | per year |
| Monthly (1-Week Free Trial) | $24.99 | per month |
| BePresent Pro (Annual) | $29.99 | per year |
| BePresent Pro Family | $39.99 | per year |
| Annual (1-Week Free Trial) | $39.99 | per year |
| Annual (High Tier) | $44.99 | per year |
| Annual (1-Week Free Trial) | $49.99 | per year |
| BePresent Family | $59.99 | 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 |
| Annual (1-Week Free Trial) | $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 Bark free?

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

### Is BePresent free?

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

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

BePresent is rated higher. Bark averages 4.3 out of 5 from 36K ratings, while BePresent averages 4.8 from 69K ratings.

### Do Bark or BePresent have ads?

BePresent shows ads; Bark does not.

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

Bark ships an update every 2 months, and BePresent every 5 days. Most recently, Bark was updated on October 21, 2026 and BePresent on October 21, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Bark or BePresent?

Bark currently peaks at #73 in the App Store charts, and BePresent at #23. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*