Comparison

Unscroll vs Screen Time Control

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

Head to head
About

Unscroll

This app helps you become more mindful of your social media usage without imposing strict restrictions. It provides real-time awareness during scrolling sessions and aggregates feeds to reduce time spent on individual platforms, fostering healthier digital habits.

Highlights
  • Real-time scrolling awareness
  • Live Activity timer on Lock Screen/Dynamic Island
  • Aggregated social feeds
  • Usage pattern tracking
  • Digital detox reminders
  • Positive habit nudges
  • Breathing mode for mindfulness
Features
Read full description

Live screen time - for people who outsmart blockers. Targets that time blind feeling while scrolling. You don't hate social media. You hate how it makes you feel after 2 hours of mindless scrolling. You’ve probably tried: a. Screen Time Limits → but ignored them b. App blockers → too restrictive when you need them, inevitably you turn them off c. Deleting apps cold turkey → makes it difficult to keep up with friends, the news and the content you enjoy, so you re-download them after a month Why Unscroll works when app blockers don't: • Social media can be useful, but scrolling apps are designed to keep your attention for as long as possible. • Blockers create friction at the wrong time - when you actually need to check something. • Unscroll keeps you conscious WHILE you scroll, so you can stop when you decide, not when an app forces you. How it works: 1. Before you open Instagram: See how much you've already scrolled today (not after you've wasted 45 minutes and been caught in a comparison spiral) 2. While you're scrolling: A Live Activity shows your real-time scrolling session right on your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island - keeping the rational part of your brain engaged (instead of letting autopilot take over) 3. All feeds in one place: Check what's new across all your social feeds in 5 minutes, not 5 x 20 mins 4. Track your patterns: Watch your usage drop naturally as awareness builds No restrictions: - No need to unplug and replace your iPhone with a dumbphone or brick - Less annoying than One Sec's friction, with sustained awareness instead of momentary interruption - Low-friction alternative to the standard blocking apps like (Opal, Jomo, Freedom, Clearspace) For people who want to: → Stop wasting hours doomscrolling Instagram reels and prevent brain rot → Eliminate TikTok scrolling addiction and reduce screen time → Reduce compulsive phone pickups and protect attention span → Be intentional about keeping up with friends and the news → Improve overall digital wellbeing and build healthier phone habits → Reduce FOMO and the effect of constant comparisons on your mental health and wellbeing → Get help with social media addiction → Replace scrolling with more time wellspent → Work toward some no-scroll streaks and screen-free time Works with all your distracting social feeds: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Pinterest, Reddit, Discord, Twitch, and any app you want to be more intentional with - including Mail, Messages, or news apps. You can even add screen time reminders to any websites you procrastinate on. More anti-distraction features: • Live Activity timer: Real-time awareness on your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island during 'scroll aware sessions' • Morning and bedtime digital detox: the ideal times for less phone usage • Positive habit nudges: replace your screen time habits with something else, build habits of your choosing • Breathing mode: maximum mindfulness before every social session We do not sell your data or run ads. Your attention is precious. Built by someone who needs it: After 10+ years of struggling with my own social media habits, and using every screen time and app blocking tool out there, I built Unscroll. Not to quit social media, but to use it like a tool. Since I've Unscrolled my phone I've cut down my scrolling time 60-70%. Happy to share it with other people too :) —Cameron Terms of Use: https://unscroll.io/terms

About

Screen Time Control

This app helps you break free from digital distractions and reclaim your focus and well-being. It offers features like app blocking, scheduling, and personalized goals to encourage mindful tech use and improve productivity. It also provides parental controls for managing children's screen time.

Highlights
  • Mindfulness Mode
  • App & Website Blocker
  • Scheduling Blocks
  • Personalized Screen Time Goals
  • Parental Controls
  • AI-Powered Insights
Read full description

Unplug for focus & freedom: Break free from the endless feed and reclaim your focus, well-being, and precious time. Unplugged is your AI-powered digital detox companion. Features: * Mindfulness Mode: Encourage mindful tech use, ditch the auto-scroll. * App & Website Blocker: Say goodbye to distracting apps & websites, including your social media demons. * Scheduling Blocks: Auto-disconnect during peak temptation times, like evenings or school nights. * Personalized Screen Time Goals: Set & track progress towards healthier digital habits. * Parental Controls: Manage kids' screen time safely & effectively, including social media access.
 Unlock the benefits: * Enhanced Productivity & Focus: Get things done without social media interruptions. * Improved Mental Well-being: Reduce stress, sleep better, and live present. * Stronger Family Connections: Foster healthy tech habits together, away from the social media grind.
 Unplugged is free, private, and powered by AI: * Personalized Insights: Get AI-driven tips for optimizing your screen time. * Science-backed Strategies: Overcome social media addiction with proven techniques. * Privacy Assurance: Your data stays private, always on your phone. Unplug today and join the digital detox revolution! Terms of Use: https://unplugged.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://unplugged.app/policy

Screenshots

Unscroll4 screens
Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Unscroll at free against Screen Time Control's freemium. Unscroll also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 86%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Unscroll sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month and Screen Time Control sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Unscroll against 4.9 for Screen Time Control. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 17 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of Unscroll's written reviews are positive against 86% of Screen Time Control's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Unscroll ships an update every 2 weeks, Screen Time Control fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Unscroll versus Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUnscrollScreen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (6 ratings)4.9 (17 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better85.7% of reviews
Number of ratings617 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB14 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperCameron BogatezSMARTDADDY LLP

Customer experience

Unscroll

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Screen Time Control

All ratings17 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Unscroll

Subscriptions1
  • Unscroll$4.991 Month
6 purchases

Screen Time Control

Subscriptions6
  • Unplugged Pro$1.991 Month
  • Unplugged Pro3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Unplugged Pro3 Days trial$4.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Unplugged Pro$14.991 Year
  • Unplugged Pro3 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Unplugged Pro3 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Unscroll free?
Unscroll is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Screen Time Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Unscroll or Screen Time Control?
Screen Time Control is rated higher. Unscroll averages 4.8 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Screen Time Control averages 4.9 from 17 ratings.
Do Unscroll or Screen Time Control have ads?
Neither Unscroll nor Screen Time Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Unscroll or Screen Time Control?
Unscroll ships an update every 2 weeks, and Screen Time Control fortnightly. Most recently, Unscroll was updated on October 20, 2026 and Screen Time Control on October 11, 2026.

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