Screen Time Control vs Shadow
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Screen Time Control
Take control of your digital life with this powerful screen time manager and app blocker. Set limits, block distractions, and build healthier habits to reclaim your time and improve focus.
- Limit screen time
- Block distracting apps and websites
- Create distraction-free focus sessions
- Structure day with focused intervals
- Track screen time usage and progress
- Temporarily relax restrictions
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Take control of your screen time. Stay focused. Get your time back. Focus Mate is a powerful Screen Time Control and App Blocker designed to help you limit screen time, block distractions, and build healthier digital habits — without sacrificing privacy. The average person spends more than 5 hours per day on their phone, often without realizing it. Focus Mate helps you break that cycle with smart app limits, focus modes, and automatic app blocking. With Focus Mate, you can: • Limit screen time on distracting apps • Block apps and websites automatically • Stay focused during work, study, or deep concentration • Build consistent routines and mindful phone habits BENEFITS • Reduce screen time and digital distraction • Improve focus and productivity • Support digital detox and mindful usage • Stay in control instead of reacting to notifications Designed for students, professionals, creators, and anyone who wants to use their iPhone more intentionally. FEATURES • Screen Time Control Set daily app limits and automatically block apps when limits are reached. • App Blocker Block specific apps and websites during focus sessions or scheduled routines. • Focus Zone Create distraction-free sessions by selecting exactly which apps should be blocked. • Deep Focus Maximum protection that prevents bypassing or disabling blocks until the session ends. • Focus Time Structure your day with focused intervals to boost productivity. • Free Time Temporarily relax restrictions when flexibility is needed. • Usage Insights Track your screen time behavior and monitor progress over time. PRIVATE & SECURE Focus Mate uses Apple’s official Screen Time API to manage app usage securely. • No accounts required • No tracking • No data leaving your device Your screen time data stays private and on your iPhone. Take back control of your time. Use your phone with intention — not distraction. Privacy Policy: https://adappssoftware.com/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://adappssoftware.com/terms-conditions/
Shadow
This app helps you block distracting applications on your iOS device to improve focus and productivity. It offers a "Safe Zone" for uninterrupted work and robust parental controls to manage children's screen time. Your settings are protected with Face ID and passcode.
- Block distracting iOS applications
- Create a "Safe Zone" for focused work
- Parental controls for screen time management
- Face ID and passcode protection
- Develop good habits
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Shadow is a powerful iOS app blocker designed to help you break social media addiction, focus on deep work, and actually get things done. Set your limits, lock away distracting apps, and instantly drop your screen time. Core Features: • Block Distractions Instantly: Restrict access to social media, addictive games, and endless scrolling with strict Screen Time limits. • Create Your ‘Safe Zone’: Need to study or work? Whitelist only the essential apps you need and lock the rest away for deep, uninterrupted focus. • Strict Mode (Face ID Lock): Prevent yourself from cheating. Lock your blocking settings behind Face ID or a passcode so you stay fully committed to your digital detox. • Parental Controls: Easily set screen time limits and block specific apps to ensure a healthy digital balance for your kids. Who is Shadow For? • Students: Lock your phone during study sessions and prep for exams without TikTok or Instagram breaking your focus. • Professionals & ADHD: Create uninterrupted blocks of deep work and reclaim hours of lost productivity. • Parents: Guide and protect your child’s digital habits with foolproof app restrictions. Say goodbye to endless doomscrolling. Download Shadow today and experience the transformative impact of a focused, mindful lifestyle. Privacy Policy: https://goldencanal.nl/#privacypolicy Terms Of Use: https://goldencanal.nl/#termsofuse
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Shadow at 64% against Screen Time Control's 0%. Shadow also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (113 vs 22). On price, update cadence, ads 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
Both are free to download. Screen Time Control sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Shadow sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Shadow holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Shadow has 113 ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Screen Time Control's written reviews are positive against 64% of Shadow's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Screen Time Control | Shadow |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (22 ratings) | 4.7 (113 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 63.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 22 | 113 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.1 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 56 MB | 124 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ADAPPS SOFTWARE | Adish Padhani |
Customer experience
Screen Time Control
Shadow
In-app purchases
Screen Time Control
- Weekly Premium$2.997 Days
- Trial Weekly Premium3 Days trial$2.997 Days
- 3 Day Free3 Days trial$12.991 Month
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- Annual Premium$34.991 Year
- 1 Week Free7 Days trial$34.991 Year
Shadow
- Weekly Subscription$1.997 Days
- Weekly Subscription Trial7 Days trial$1.997 Days
- Monthly Subscription$3.991 Month
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- Monthly Subscription Trial7 Days trial$3.991 Month
- Yearly Subscription Discount$6.991 Year
- Yearly Subscription Discount$9.991 Year
- Yearly Subscription Discount$17.991 Year
- Yearly Subscription$34.991 Year
- Yearly Subscription With Trial7 Days trial$34.991 Year









