Comparison

PAUSED vs App Lock & Screen Time

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Focus/Sleep Mode
  • Self-Control Mode
  • Work Mode
  • Privacy Mode
  • Money-Saving Mode
  • Achievement System
  • Widgets
Features
Read full description

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

About

App Lock & Screen Time

This app helps you regain control of your digital wellbeing by setting limits on distracting apps and tracking your phone usage. It provides detailed insights and customizable schedules to foster healthier digital habits and enhance focus.

Highlights
  • App usage limiter
  • Screen time tracking
  • Customizable usage schedule
  • Detailed app statistics
  • Categorized screen time insights
  • Usage limit notifications
  • Network usage analysis
Features
Read full description

ANKO: Focus, Screen Time, Block is a powerful screen time tracker and app usage management solution designed to help you limit distracting apps, regain control of your digital habits, and improve your focus. KEY FEATURES: App Usage Limiter — Set limits for distracting apps, games, and social media. ANKO helps you manage your app usage, reduce interruptions, and stay focused on what matters. Screen Time Tracker — Get detailed reports about your phone usage and understand how you spend your time across different apps. Use insights to build better digital habits and improve productivity. Usage Schedule — Create personalized schedules for work, rest, and entertainment. Manage when apps are available and maintain a balanced digital routine. Apps Statistics — View clear statistics about your daily phone and app usage. Discover patterns, identify excessive use, and make informed decisions about your screen time. Categorized Screen Time — See how your time is distributed across different app categories and understand where your attention goes. Notifications & Limits — Receive reminders when you reach your configured app usage limits and stay aware of your digital habits. Network Overview — Analyze your network usage and better understand your connectivity patterns. Track Unlocks & Notifications — Monitor how often you check your phone and interact with notifications to reduce unnecessary interruptions and improve focus. ANKO works as your personal digital assistant for managing screen time and app usage. The intuitive interface transforms complex usage data into clear insights that help you make better decisions. Your privacy matters. All data is handled securely and treated with confidentiality. HOW TO START USING ANKO: 1) Install ANKO on your smartphone. 2) Customize your app limits, schedules, and focus settings. 3) Start understanding your screen time and take control of your digital habits. 4) Unlock the full ANKO experience for advanced screen time management and focus improvement. Create a more balanced digital lifestyle with ANKO — your companion for smarter phone usage.

Screenshots

PAUSED4 screens
App Lock & Screen Time4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: PAUSED at none against App Lock & Screen Time's shown. PAUSED also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.3). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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. PAUSED sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and App Lock & Screen Time sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PAUSED holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 68 and 52 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 58% of PAUSED's written reviews are positive against 59% of App Lock & Screen Time's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
PAUSED versus App Lock & Screen Time: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPAUSEDApp Lock & Screen Time
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (68 ratings) — better4.3 (52 ratings)
Positive reviews58.0% of reviews59.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings68 — better52
Update frequencyFortnightlyFortnightly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.5
Further details — not scored
Size92 MB51 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSihoooo Network Technology Co LtdANKO SOLUTIONS LLC

Customer experience

PAUSED

All ratings68 ratings
Positive86.8%
Neutral5.9%
Negative7.4%
Written reviews50 reviews
Positive58.0%
Neutral14.0%
Negative28.0%

App Lock & Screen Time

All ratings51 ratings
Positive80.4%
Neutral2.0%
Negative17.6%
Written reviews37 reviews
Positive59.5%
Neutral5.4%
Negative35.1%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

PAUSED

Subscriptions2
  • QualityTime Pro (Weekly)$2.997 Days
  • QualityTime Pro (Annual)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • QualityTime Forever$39.99
15 purchases

App Lock & Screen Time

Subscriptions15
  • 1 month$7.991 Month
  • 1 month$8.991 Month
  • ANKO - 1 month$9.991 Month
Show 12 more
  • ANKO - 1 month$14.991 Month
  • 1 month$14.991 Month
  • Try it free for 3 days$24.991 Year
  • Try it free for 7 days7 Days trial$34.991 Year
  • Try it free for 3 days3 Days trial$34.991 Year
  • ANKO - 12 months$44.991 Year
  • ANKO - 12 months7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Try it free for 3 days3 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • ANKO - 12 months$59.991 Year
  • ANKO - 12 months14 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • ANKO - 12 months7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Try it free for 3 days3 Days trial$99.991 Year

Questions

Is PAUSED free?
PAUSED is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is App Lock & Screen Time free?
App Lock & Screen Time is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PAUSED or App Lock & Screen Time?
PAUSED is rated higher. PAUSED averages 4.5 out of 5 from 68 ratings, while App Lock & Screen Time averages 4.3 from 52 ratings.
Do PAUSED or App Lock & Screen Time have ads?
App Lock & Screen Time shows ads; PAUSED does not.
Which is updated more often, PAUSED or App Lock & Screen Time?
PAUSED ships an update fortnightly, and App Lock & Screen Time fortnightly. Most recently, PAUSED was updated on October 30, 2026 and App Lock & Screen Time on October 30, 2026.

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