Comparison

BePresent vs Halo

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

Head to head
About

BePresent

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
Read full description

BePresent is the #1 app to control your screen time and supercharge your productivity, mental health, and quality of life. Experience life beyond the screen as you reclaim Your Time and earn rewards that improve your life with BePresent! 25 years. That’s the average time you will spend on your phone. With a combination of app blocking, gamification, social competition with friends, and real-life rewards, you will reclaim YEARS of your life like thousands of BePresent members already have. We know you’ve tried to solve this problem before. But we’re not like other screen time apps. ▶ WHAT USERS ARE CELEBRATING ◀ • “I was able to go from 7+ hours per day to less than 2 hours! 10/10 would recommend” - Andrew M. • “FINALLY an app that actually curbs my screen addiction instead of time limits that I just ignore!” - Gina V. • “I’ve tried everything but nothing has worked. I almost gave up before I used BePresent! Thank god I tried it as I’ve reduced my screen time by over 3 hours a day!” - Jack W. Download now to experience life to the fullest. Instead of annoying app blockers or time limits, BePresent makes it fun and easy to stay off your phone. ▶ FEATURES ◀ [ BePresent App Blocking Sessions - Individual, Group, & BEAST MODE ] • Dive into Present Sessions! Dedicate breaks from screens, whether it's a focused study session or a no-phone night out. Team up with friends for Group Sessions and joint tech time-outs. Share updates, cheer, and keep one another accountable—all from within the app. Need a stringent break? Enter BEAST MODE, ensuring unwavering commitment [ Set Daily Goals and Build Your Streak ] • Choose your digital boundaries. Maintain your streak by sticking to set screen time limits. Back your commitment with a monetary stake — overshoot, and that stake's gone. Customize reminders and design your journey to digital well-being. [ Compete on Weekly Leaderboards and Challenge Your Friends] • Show off your productivity prowess by competing against others on weekly leaderboards. Advance tiers so you’ll feel like a productivity superhero every day. Practicing mindful phone habits has never been so motivating and rewarding! [ Earn Real-Life Rewards ] • The ultimate motivation - earn points you can redeem for real-life rewards by limiting your screen time. Best of all, your rewards will also improve your life. Learn to meditate with a premium Headspace subscription. Redeem free workout classes with ClassPass. Schedule discounted therapy sessions with BetterHelp. Earn these rewards and more all by staying off your phone. [ Never Doomscroll Again ] • Set hourly scrolling awareness reminders so you never lose track of time doomscrolling again [ Time Tracking & Daily Reports ] • Measure the moments you're truly present. Access daily and weekly breakdowns, complemented by a comprehensive day-before report, amplifying your adherence to reality. [ Improve Your Well-Being ] • By reducing screen time, you'll improve your overall well-being and gain access to educational content that explains how reducing screen time can benefit you in multiple ways. Learn how to manage ADHD better, improve your mental health, and be more present with your loved ones, all while improving your sleep and becoming less distracted. [ Complete Privacy and Data Security ] • Data dignity, delivered. All of your data is private and safe with Apple’s Screen Time API. We do not have access to any specific content you access on your iPhone, and none of your personal data ever leaves your device. ▶ WE'RE HERE FOR EVERY QUERY ◀ Questions or feedback? Reach us at https://www.getpresentapp.com/ or shoot an email at contact@getpresentapp.com. Let's journey to mindful tech use together. Note: All rewards are sponsored by BePresent and our partners. Apple does not sponsor any of the in-app rewards. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.getpresentapp.com/privacy-policy

About

Halo

This app automatically limits distracting applications when you enter predefined locations like your desk or library. It helps you achieve focus for studying, deep work, or sleep without relying solely on willpower. Set up custom zones and track your progress towards healthier screen habits.

Highlights
  • Location-based focus zones
  • Automatic app blocking
  • Customizable screen time goals
  • Streak tracking for consistency
  • Preset focus modes (Study, Deep Work, Sleep)
  • Dark theme support
Features
Read full description

Halo helps you stay focused by turning places into focus zones. When you're in a zone like your desk, library, or bedroom, distracting apps are automatically limited. No willpower required. Just set it and forget it. HOW IT WORKS • FOCUS ZONES: Draw zones on a map (home, office, café, campus) and set when they’re active. Focus mode turns on when you’re there. • APP BLOCKING: Block social media, video, games, and other distracting apps—only in your zones. Uses Apple Screen Time, so you stay in control. • SCREEN TIME GOALS: Set daily limits and see how you’re doing. Your Halo level reflects your progress. • STREAKS: Build streaks with daily check-ins. Stay consistent and grow your streak over time. STUDY • DEEP WORK • SLEEP Use presets for Study, Deep Work, or Sleep—or create custom zones with your own rules. PERFECT FOR • Students studying at the library or at home • Workers doing deep work at the office • Anyone who wants healthier screen habits • People who struggle with phone distractions Dark theme. Simple setup. Your data stays on your device. Premium subscription required to unlock zone-based blocking, unlimited focus zones, screen time stats, focus streaks, and background enforcement. Free trial available; subscriptions auto-renew until cancelled and can be managed in your Apple ID settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

BePresent4 screens
Halo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Halo at none against BePresent's shown. Halo also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 68%). BePresent's advantage is ratings volume (69K vs 14) and chart position (#24 vs unranked). On price, rating, update cadence 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. BePresent sells 23 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Halo sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Halo holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BePresent has 69K ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of BePresent's written reviews are positive against 100% of Halo's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BePresent ships an update every 5 days, Halo every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
BePresent versus Halo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBePresentHalo
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (69K ratings)5.0 (14 ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings69K — better14
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 9 days
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#24 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size106 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperScreen Detox IncHalo Labs LLC

Customer experience

BePresent

All ratings68,492 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.4%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews3,861 reviews
Positive68.2%
Neutral6.4%
Negative25.3%

Halo

All ratings13 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

BePresent

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • 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

5 requests
  • 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

Halo

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

23 purchases

BePresent

Subscriptions23
  • Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Monthly (Mid Tier)$6.991 Month
  • Monthly (1-Week Free Trial)7 Days trial$6.991 Month
Show 20 more
  • Monthly (1-Week Free Trial)7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Monthly (1-Week Free Trial)7 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Annual$24.991 Year
  • Annual (Mid Tier)$24.991 Year
  • Annual (1-Week Free Trial)7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • BePresent Pro (Annual)$24.991 Year
  • Free Trial for BePresent Pro7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Monthly (1-Week Free Trial)7 Days trial$24.991 Month
  • BePresent Pro (Annual)$29.991 Year
  • BePresent Pro Family$39.991 Year
  • Annual (1-Week Free Trial)7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Annual (High Tier)$44.991 Year
  • Annual (1-Week Free Trial)7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • BePresent Family7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Annual (3-Day Free Trial)3 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Annual (30-day Trial)1 Month trial$59.991 Year
  • Annual (1-Week Free Trial)7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Annual (2-week Free Trial)14 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • BePresent Pro Family (iCloud)7 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • Annual (1-Week Free Trial)7 Days trial$99.991 Year
2 purchases

Halo

Subscriptions2
  • Halo Pro Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Halo Pro Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is BePresent free?
BePresent is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Halo free?
Halo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BePresent or Halo?
Halo is rated higher. BePresent averages 4.8 out of 5 from 69K ratings, while Halo averages 5.0 from 14 ratings.
Do BePresent or Halo have ads?
BePresent shows ads; Halo does not.
Which is updated more often, BePresent or Halo?
BePresent ships an update every 5 days, and Halo every 9 days. Most recently, BePresent was updated on October 21, 2026 and Halo on October 2, 2026.

Other comparisons