# ScreenPact vs PhonePause

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ScreenPact at none against PhonePause's 1. ScreenPact also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PhonePause sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ScreenPact asks for nothing beyond the download.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 12, 2026 and August 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ScreenPact | PhonePause |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonepause-parent-lock/id6759881302/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **1** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 2 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [David Powers](https://appshunter.io/developer/1561429579) | [Andrew Meyers](https://appshunter.io/developer/1879595732) |

## What reviewers say

### ScreenPact

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenpact/id1613057869)

**In-app purchases:** none


### PhonePause

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonepause-parent-lock/id6759881302)

This app helps parents manage their child's screen time with instant phone locking. It offers features like PIN-protected access, app whitelisting, and manual unlocking. Premium options include scheduled locks and blocking specific communication apps.

**Highlights:** Instant phone locking, PIN-protected parent access, App whitelisting during lock, Scheduled school hour locks, Timed punishment locks, Block messaging apps

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PhonePause Premium | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ScreenPact free?

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

### Is PhonePause free?

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

### Do ScreenPact or PhonePause have ads?

Neither ScreenPact nor PhonePause shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ScreenPact or PhonePause?

ScreenPact ships an update every 3 weeks, and PhonePause every 3 weeks. Most recently, ScreenPact was updated on September 12, 2026 and PhonePause on August 22, 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.*