Comparison

PAUSED vs Parental Control Assistant

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

Parental Control Assistant

Read full description

Install “Parent Control Assistant” on two devices using the same Apple ID and enable monitoring on the device you want to manage.  You can easily control your devices with these features: Remote Device Lock: Lock all apps on the device remotely, keeping it secure when you’re not around. App Locking: Instantly lock specific apps without needing to set time limits. Block App Installs/Deletions: Prevent unauthorized app installations or deletions. Block In-App Purchases: Restrict in-app purchases to avoid unexpected charges. Disable Browser Access: Block the browser to minimize online risks. Prevent Apple ID Switching: Ensure security by blocking changes to the Apple ID. Change Lock Screen Password: Secure the device by preventing changes to the lock screen password. View Last Usage Time: Keep track of the device’s last active time. These features offer complete control over device usage, providing a safer and more organized digital environment for families, especially children. Before using Screen Time Assistant, please ensure that you have read the following: Privacy Policy: https://docs.qq.com/doc/DT0tJRnhCUVJqbURk Terms of Use: https://docs.qq.com/doc/DT1JDeWZuQlBLcUZo User Agreement: https://docs.qq.com/doc/DT1pSTUtYeFVsYlJV Contact Us: If you have any suggestions or questions, please feel free to contact us at chengcheng_dev@163.com

Screenshots

PAUSED4 screens
Parental Control Assistant4 screens

Verdict

The call

PAUSED and Parental Control Assistant are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

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 Parental Control Assistant sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PAUSED ships an update fortnightly, Parental Control Assistant every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
PAUSED versus Parental Control Assistant: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPAUSEDParental Control Assistant
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (66 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews60.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings66 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size88 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSihoooo Network Technology Co Ltd成 程

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
2 purchases

Parental Control Assistant

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription$19.991 Year

Questions

Is PAUSED free?
PAUSED is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Parental Control Assistant free?
Parental Control Assistant is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PAUSED or Parental Control Assistant have ads?
Neither PAUSED nor Parental Control Assistant shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PAUSED or Parental Control Assistant?
PAUSED ships an update fortnightly, and Parental Control Assistant every 2 weeks. Most recently, PAUSED was updated on September 23, 2026 and Parental Control Assistant on September 9, 2026.

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