Screen Time Limit vs PAUSED
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Screen Time Limit
This app helps you regain control of your screen time by blocking distracting applications and websites. It offers two modes: Gentle for softer nudges and Firm mode for strict limits that cannot be easily bypassed, ensuring you stick to your goals.
- Block distracting apps
- Block distracting websites
- Set daily time limits per app
- Schedule app blocking times
- Lock settings with a PIN
- Weekly emergency pass
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Willpower isn't enough. Firm mode takes the choice away: once your time's up, that app stays locked until midnight. A PIN won't open it and you can't edit the rule; your one way out is the weekly Emergency Pass. No more 'just five more minutes,' so you can live the life you actually want. FIRM MODE: LIMITS THAT STAY PUT Some limits are easy to dismiss. Firm mode is built so yours aren't. Once a rule's time runs out, that rule is locked until midnight, and you can't switch back to Gentle until midnight. Firm mode is part of Premium. GENTLE MODE: FREE Prefer a softer nudge? Gentle mode blocks your apps when time is up, and you can change the rule if you really need to. Add a PIN so changing it takes a deliberate step. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Block distracting apps • Block websites you waste time on • Set daily time limits per app • Set schedules for when apps are blocked • Lock the app's settings with a PIN • Emergency Pass: one a week, for when you truly need it. NO CLUTTER No gems, no streak games. Just your limits, kept. OUR GOAL We're working to make App Blocker the best screen time app on the App Store. Lots of updates are coming, and we read every review. PRICING App Blocker is free to use with Gentle mode. Premium unlocks Firm mode. The Yearly plan comes with a 7-day free trial. Subscription required for Premium features. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://www.salixlabs.com/privacy/app-blocker Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
PAUSED
This app helps users build healthier digital habits by limiting phone usage and blocking distracting applications. It offers various modes for focus, work, privacy, and saving money, with an achievement system for motivation. All data is stored locally for enhanced privacy and security.
- Focus/Sleep Mode
- Self-Control Mode
- Work Mode
- Privacy Mode
- Money-Saving Mode
- Achievement System
- Widgets
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Doomscrolling until 2am... again? You said ""just five minutes."" That was 2 hours ago. One notification. One tap. And there goes your deep work session. Sleep? Not when there is one more video. The algorithm wins every single time. It's time to take your life back. PAUSED is your mindful companion designed to help you reclaim control of your time. With its minimalist Dopamine UI and intuitive features, building self-discipline has never been this rewarding. Why Choose PAUSED? 【Master your Screen time】 - Sleep Mode: The ultimate remedy for late-night scrolling. Set your bedtime and lock distracting apps to ensure a restful night. - Focus Mode: Designed for deep work and intense study sessions. Whitelist essential tools and block everything else to stay in the zone. - Interval Break Method: Combat mindless scrolling scientifically. Set a 30-minute browsing limit followed by a forced 10-minute break to reset your brain. - Work Mode: Restrict entertainment apps until you have completed your daily working goals. Turn your screen time into a reward. 【Privacy Lock and Anti-Addiction】 - Privacy Mode: Lend your phone without anxiety. Hide sensitive apps like banking or private galleries from both the home screen and App Library search. - In-App Purchase Lock: Prevent impulsive spending on games or subscriptions. Stay in control of your digital consumption. 【The Gentle Guardrail】 - Cooling-Off Period: When you are about to give up and hit Stop, PAUSED forces a cooling-off timer. This gives you a moment to rethink and resist the temptation. - Achievement Tracking: Every time you resist a distraction, it is recorded. Watch your 21-day self-discipline journey unfold with our companion, MOMO. 【System Integration and Aesthetics】 - Dopamine UI: A beautifully redesigned interface with smooth animations that make self-discipline feel like a treat, not a chore. - Full iOS Integration: Seamlessly supports Live Activities, Home Screen Widgets, and Lock Screen Widgets. Monitor your focus status at a glance. PAUSED is with you everywhere: - At the Library: Your study shield, keeping social media out of reach. - In Bed: Your sleep guardian, stopping revenge bedtime procrastination. - During Socializing: Your privacy vault, keeping your personal data for your eyes only. Our Privacy Commitment: - Your data, your device: All data is stored locally on your device. We never upload your usage habits to the cloud. Your secrets stay yours. You don't need to be perfectly disciplined. Just a little less screen time than yesterday is enough. PAUSED will be there — one step at a time, with MOMO by your side. Subscription Details PAUSED offers “PAUSED Pro” subscriptions: $2.99/week or $29.99/year (U.S. pricing) Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled 24 hours before the end of the period. Payment is charged to your iTunes account. You can manage or cancel subscriptions in iTunes Account Settings. Terms of Use: https://docs.qq.com/doc/DYUdiWWRlRXFjV2pj Privacy Policy: https://docs.qq.com/doc/DYW90Tk9OVktCelNX
Screenshots
Verdict
Screen Time Limit and PAUSED are too close to call on the numbers: across 10 compared parameters — price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.
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 Limit sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and PAUSED sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Screen Time Limit against 4.5 for PAUSED. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 44 and 68 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 62% of Screen Time Limit's written reviews are positive against 58% of PAUSED's.
Screen Time Limit ships an update every 2 weeks, PAUSED fortnightly. Both last shipped on November 7, 2026.
| Parameter | Screen Time Limit | PAUSED |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (44 ratings) — better | 4.5 (68 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 61.5% of reviews — better | 58.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 44 | 68 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 65 MB | 92 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Salix Labs LLC | Sihoooo Network Technology Co Ltd |
Customer experience
Screen Time Limit
PAUSED
In-app purchases
Screen Time Limit
- Premium Monthly$4.991 Month
- Parental Monthly (Classic)$5.991 Month
- Premium Monthly (Classic)$6.991 Month
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- Parental Yearly (Classic)$14.991 Year
- Premium Yearly B (Classic)$14.991 Year
- Premium Yearly A (Classic)$19.991 Year
- Premium Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
PAUSED
- QualityTime Pro (Weekly)$2.997 Days
- QualityTime Pro (Annual)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- QualityTime Forever$39.99
Questions
Is Screen Time Limit free?
Is PAUSED free?
Which has better reviews, Screen Time Limit or PAUSED?
Do Screen Time Limit or PAUSED have ads?
Which is updated more often, Screen Time Limit or PAUSED?
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