Comparison

BePresent vs CallFirst

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

CallFirst

Read full description

CallFirst turns the urge to scroll into a reason to call someone you love. Pick the people who matter and the hours you want to protect. When you open Instagram, TikTok, X, or any app you've chosen during those hours, CallFirst gently steps in and reminds you to Call First. One real, at least 60-second phone call to your person and your apps open again for the rest of the window. No streaks to chase. No timers to wait out. No breathing exercises. Just a moment of real connection before the feed. HOW IT WORKS 1. Pick a time to connect with a phone call. 2. Open a social media app, and we'll remind you to call first. 3. Talk for at least 60 seconds and then your apps are open again for you to enjoy. WHAT MAKES CALLFIRST DIFFERENT Other screen-time apps unlock with friction — a wait timer, a breathing exercise, a set of squats, a photo, a hardware token. CallFirst is the only one where the key is a person. The block lifts when you've actually spoken to someone. PRIVATE BY DESIGN We don't store your contacts' details on our servers. The phone numbers you choose live only on your phone. We don't record calls, read your call log, or access your contact list. You pick who you call and those are the only contact details the app ever sees. MADE FOR REAL LIFE - Choose any contact and reach them by phone or WhatsApp. - Block the apps you pick, on the days and during the hours you pick. - Runs quietly in the background using Apple's Screen Time framework. - Start in seconds — no account needed. Pick up the phone. Call first. CallFirst is free with one contact, one schedule, and one blocked app. Upgrade to CallFirst Pro for unlimited contacts, schedules, and apps; weekly, yearly, or one payment for life. Terms: https://callfirst.app/terms.html Privacy: https://callfirst.app/privacy.html

Screenshots

BePresent4 screens
CallFirst4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: CallFirst at none against BePresent's shown. BePresent's advantage is chart position (#28 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support 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 CallFirst sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BePresent ships an update every 5 days, CallFirst daily. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
BePresent versus CallFirst: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBePresentCallFirst
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (67K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews68.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings67K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysDaily — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#28 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size105 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperScreen Detox IncAI PM Services LTD

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

CallFirst

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
3 purchases

CallFirst

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly$1.997 Days
  • Yearly$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • One-time purchase$79.99

Questions

Is BePresent free?
BePresent is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CallFirst free?
CallFirst is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do BePresent or CallFirst have ads?
BePresent shows ads; CallFirst does not.
Which is updated more often, BePresent or CallFirst?
BePresent ships an update every 5 days, and CallFirst daily. Most recently, BePresent was updated on October 13, 2026 and CallFirst on October 7, 2026.

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