While We're Waiting vs OEJ
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
While We're Waiting
This app offers over 100 screen-free activities designed for parents and children to do together, transforming waiting times into opportunities for skill-building and bonding. It focuses on developing executive functions, managing emotions, and fostering positive interactions.
- 100+ screen-free activities
- Builds executive function skills
- Manages negative emotions during waiting
- Strengthens parent-child relationships
- Promotes memory and problem-solving
- Encourages physical movement and mindfulness
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It is estimated that Americans will spend 37 billion hours each year waiting. For a child, waiting is a particularly challenging task due to their underdeveloped executive function (EF) network in the brain. Executive function refers to the management system of the brain. It is the mental skills and processes that enable us to focus attention, adapt to new and unexpected situations, remember instructions, control impulses, regulate emotions, set and achieve goals, problem solve, plan and organize. These mental skills are the basis for higher order cognitive functions. We use these skills constantly as we learn, work and manage daily life. Did you know… Learning to wait is a crucial life skill and dealing with the emotions of waiting is a method of self-control. The emotions generated by waiting are frustration, anxiety, regret, annoyance, and uncertainty. Waiting causes children to feel stress. Physiological reactions to stress are… - temper tantrums - whining - attention problems - distracting behaviors - aggressive outbursts - inability to sit still Child development experts agree that the average period of time a child can successfully wait or maintain focus on a given task is 2-3 minutes per year of age. (Ex. 4 yrs. old = 8-12 minutes). Children can be taught to wait more patiently and their capacities to do so improve with positive interactions and support during challenging tasks. Do you use waiting as an OPPORTUNITY to build crucial brain connections, life skills and strengthen relationships? THIS APP is a tool for doing just that! When waiting with your child in a line or at a restaurant, or to relieve boredom and pass the time, what best describes your parenting practice? A) Have child do something on my phone; movie, game etc. B) Play some kind of game with your child like “I Spy” or another activity like a song or story C) You look at your phone D) Let them figure it out, in other words you don’t do anything The activities in this app are research based and had to MEET criteria established in literature to build executive function by PROVIDING ... - opportunities for memory practice, sequencing, problem solving, and cognitive flexibility - ATTENTIONAL DEPLOYMENT STRATEGIES that reduce negative emotions - adequate brain breaks with physical movement or mindfulness - positive familial interactions thus strengthening relationships and bonds -growth mindset practice - be prop free except where items needed are readily accessible because of location - tested in real life waiting situations with result being a positive, stress- free waiting period with laughter and fun Parents often resort to screen use to occupy children during waiting situations. However, there is substantial research suggesting parents should use EXTREME CAUTION in relying on screens to relieve boredom and pass the time as they can negatively impact cognitive function and development. This app has 100+ screen free activities that parents and children do TOGETHER while waiting. It is engaging the whole family! It begins with how to prepare your child for any waiting situation (following these steps can make ALL the difference in the experience you have) Next, you choose the waiting situation you are in; lines, restaurant, appointment, traffic etc. then choose an activity based on age of child. Concise instructions come next with the mental and physical benefit given for each activity. Lastly, watch your WAITING experience change in the most positive ways! Growth supported and nurturing environments contribute significantly to a child’s EF development as does the parent-child relationship, particularly in challenging situations such as waiting. So never let those minutes of waiting go to waste again! While We’re Waiting app puts OPPORTUNITY in the palm of your hand! Give your children skills that will benefit them for a lifetime!
OEJ
Control your Bluetooth-connected devices with this official companion app. It offers seamless connectivity, intuitive controls for adjusting settings, and supports managing multiple devices. Your privacy is protected as no personal usage data is collected or shared.
- Seamless Bluetooth connectivity
- Intuitive device control
- Adjust intensity and modes
- Customize patterns
- Multiple device support
- Private by design
- Encrypted BLE communication
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Take control of your OEJ device experience with the official companion app for OEJ's range of Bluetooth-connected devices. Seamless Bluetooth Connectivity OEJ uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to pair instantly with your OEJ device. The connection is fast, stable, and energy-efficient — so nothing interrupts your session. Intuitive Control A clean, minimal interface puts you in command. Adjust intensity, switch modes, and customize patterns with just a few taps. Everything is designed to feel intuitive and responsive. Multiple Device Support Managing more than one OEJ device? No problem. The app supports pairing and switching between multiple devices, giving you full flexibility across your devices. Private by Design Your privacy matters. OEJ does not collect personal usage data or share your activity with third parties. All control stays on your device. Safe and Secure All communication between the app and your device is handled over an encrypted BLE channel, keeping your connection private and secure. Requirements • Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) capable device • An OEJ Bluetooth-enabled device OEJ — because every journey deserves the right companion.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: OEJ at Free against While We're Waiting's $2.99. While We're Waiting's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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
OEJ is free to download; While We're Waiting costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for While We're Waiting against 5.0 for OEJ. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
While We're Waiting ships an update weekly, OEJ every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | While We're Waiting | OEJ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 3 — better |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.1 | 15 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 33 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | While We're Waiting, LLC | WSST GROUP INC |
Customer experience
While We're Waiting
OEJ
In-app purchases
While We're Waiting
No in-app purchases
OEJ
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is While We're Waiting free?
Is OEJ free?
Which has better reviews, While We're Waiting or OEJ?
Do While We're Waiting or OEJ have ads?
Which is updated more often, While We're Waiting or OEJ?
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