Comparison

Impulse vs Screenless

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

Head to head
About

Impulse

This app helps you block distracting applications and websites to improve focus and productivity. It offers customizable blocking levels and group features for shared accountability.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps and websites
  • Set daily usage limits
  • Three strictness levels: Easy, Medium, Hard
  • Create custom focus profiles
  • Group blocking for shared accountability
  • Works across iPhone and Chrome extension
Features
Read full description

Block distractions. Stay focused. Do it together. Impulse blocks the apps and websites that waste your time — so you can focus on what actually matters. Whether you need to study, work, or just stop scrolling, Impulse gives you real control over your screen time. BLOCK APPS & WEBSITES Choose the apps and sites that distract you. Block them during specific time slots or set daily usage limits. Pick your strictness level: Easy (unlock anytime), Medium (with friction), or Hard (no way out until time's up). THREE LEVELS OF STRICTNESS Easy: Unlock whenever you want. Medium: Added friction to make you think twice. Hard: Locked until time's up. No exceptions. FOCUS MODE — NEW Sometimes you just need to lock in. Create focus profiles — pick your apps, set a default timer, choose your difficulty — and activate them with a single tap whenever you need to concentrate. 15, 25, 45, or 60 minutes. Or go unlimited. Your focus, your rules. GROUPS — NEW Better habits are easier together. Create a group, configure shared blocks, and invite friends or family with a simple code. Everyone gets the same rules applied to their phone. See who's keeping their streak alive and who needs a nudge. Perfect for study groups, digital detox challenges, or families who want less screen time together. WORKS ACROSS DEVICES Impulse is available on iPhone and as a Chrome extension. Block distractions on your phone and your browser. PRIVATE & SECURE No account required. No tracking. Your data stays on your device. Download Impulse and take back your time.

About

Screenless

This app helps you regain control of your digital habits by blocking distracting applications and setting usage limits. It offers features like app time limits, opening restrictions, and scheduled blocking to foster focus and productivity.

Highlights
  • App usage time limits
  • App opening restrictions
  • Mindful app opening delays
  • Scheduled app blocking
  • Instant app blocking sessions
  • Screen time streak challenges
  • Deep focus mode
Features
Read full description

Reclaim Your Time. Reconnect with Life. Go Screenless. Tired of endless scrolling and feeling chained to your phone? Dumb Phone: Screenless empowers you to take back control of your digital habits and rediscover a life beyond the screen. This isn't about ditching your smartphone entirely – it's about making it a tool, not a master. We help you break free from digital distractions, fostering focus, productivity, and genuine connections in the real world. Imagine more time for hobbies, loved ones, and simply being present. How Screenless: Screen Time & Focus Transforms Your Digital Life: - App-Limit: Set healthy boundaries. Automatically block apps after a set usage time (e.g., limit social media to just 15 minutes a day!). - App-Locks: Break compulsive habits. Restrict how many times you can open an app (e.g., only open that distracting game 5 times a day). - Intervention: Create mindful pauses. Add a delay (e.g., 50 seconds) before you can open an app, giving you a moment to reconsider and choose wisely. - Schedules: Plan your focus. Block specific apps automatically during work, study, or family time – ensuring uninterrupted focus when it matters most. - Sessions: Go spontaneous screenless. Instantly block distracting apps for a custom period, perfect for quick focus bursts or real-world moments. - Screen Time Challenge: Build a winning streak! Stay below your chosen daily screen time goal and watch your streak grow, motivating you to maintain healthier habits. - Deep Focus Mode: Stay committed. Activate Deep Focus to prevent pausing or canceling any ongoing app blockers. When you need to concentrate, we've got your back. Dumb Phone: Screenless is more than just a blocker; it's your personal guide to digital well-being. Start your journey to a more intentional, focused, and fulfilling life today. Download now and embrace the power of being Screenless! CONTACT & SUPPORT Got questions or feedback? Email us at: support@screenlessapp.com LEGAL By using this app, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: https://www.screenlessapp.com/privacy-policy https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Impulse4 screens
Screenless4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Screenless at 4.3 against Impulse's 3.0. Screenless also leads on ratings volume (3 vs 1). Impulse's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and review sentiment (67% vs 50%). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. Screenless sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Impulse asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Screenless holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of Impulse's written reviews are positive against 50% of Screenless's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Impulse ships an update fortnightly, Screenless every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and July 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Impulse versus Screenless: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterImpulseScreenless
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (1 ratings)4.3 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings13 — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB79 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPablo GranadosMaximillian Stabe

Customer experience

Impulse

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Screenless

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Impulse

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Screenless

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly Plan$6.991 Month
  • Monthly Plan (Family)$7.991 Month
  • Annual Plan7 Days trial$49.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Annual Plan (Family)7 Days trial$56.991 Year
One-time3
  • Screenless Two WeeksFree
  • Screenless Forever$17.99
  • Screenless Forever (Family)$39.99

Questions

Is Impulse free?
Impulse is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Screenless free?
Screenless is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Impulse or Screenless?
Screenless is rated higher. Impulse averages 3.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Screenless averages 4.3 from 3 ratings.
Do Impulse or Screenless have ads?
Neither Impulse nor Screenless shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Impulse or Screenless?
Impulse ships an update fortnightly, and Screenless every 2 weeks. Most recently, Impulse was updated on September 10, 2026 and Screenless on July 14, 2026.

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