Comparison

Screen Time Control vs Time Debt

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

Head to head
About

Screen Time Control

This app helps you regain control of your screen time by setting flexible limits on distracting applications. It rewards positive habits like exercise and learning with additional screen time, promoting a healthier relationship with technology.

Highlights
  • Flexible app limits
  • Adjustable restriction difficulty
  • Scheduled app blocking (OFF Time)
  • Earn screen time via activity tracking
  • Earn screen time via learning apps
  • Focus Timer for study/work sessions
Read full description

Do you often find yourself endlessly scrolling, watching time slip away on social media? You’re not alone. StayOff helps you break free from digital fatigue and regain control of your screen time without guilt. We’re not about restricting you—we’re about empowering you. While traditional apps enforce locks, we offer a smarter and more flexible way to manage your screen time. 【Time Management Reimagined】 We’re reshaping the way you manage your time, offering a smarter approach to control your screen time. Enjoy a flexible method that fits your life and makes your time meaningful. - Flexible App Limits: Set daily usage limits for distracting apps to better control your time, so you can focus on what truly matters. - Adjustable Difficulty: Tailor the level of restriction to match your habits and needs for a more conscious management of your digital life. - OFF Time: Block or allow apps during specific time periods to focus on work, family, or offline activities. 【Earn Your Screen Time】 Turn positive habits into digital freedom: - Activity Tracking: Automatically sync with Apple Health to convert steps and exercise time into entertainment minutes. - Learning Boost: Use positive apps like Duolingo and Khan Academy to unlock additional screen time. - Focus Timer: Log study or work sessions and earn bonus time as a reward. This is more than just an app—it’s your personal coach for a balanced digital life. StayOff helps you build a healthier, more intentional relationship with technology. No more guilt. No more endless scrolling. Just a healthier, more intentional relationship with technology. StayOff Plus Options Available: - One-time purchase - Monthly subscription - Annual subscription Subscriptions will be charged through your iTunes account. For monthly or annual subscriptions, your account will be automatically renewed 24 hours before the end of the current period unless auto-renewal is turned off. After purchase, you can manage or disable auto-renewal at any time in your App Store account settings. Learn more about our terms and privacy policy: - [Terms of Use](https://stayoff.super.site/terms-of-use) - [Privacy Policy](https://stayoff.super.site/privacy-policy)

About

Time Debt

Features
Read full description

Borrow ten extra minutes today, and tomorrow's screen-time allowance starts ten minutes shorter. Time Debt is an app blocker built on Apple's Screen Time system. Instead of ignoring your limit when you want more time, you borrow a controlled amount from tomorrow — and see exactly what it costs before you confirm. SET YOUR LIMIT Choose distracting apps, categories and websites with Apple's private picker, then set a realistic daily allowance. Different weekday and weekend limits are supported. BORROW DELIBERATELY Out of time? Pick 5, 10 or 15 minutes, or a custom amount within your cap. Time Debt shows today, tomorrow's normal allowance and tomorrow's adjusted allowance side by side. Nothing happens until you confirm. REPAY TOMORROW Borrowed minutes are repaid automatically — once, never twice. No interest and nothing compounds. Tomorrow never drops below the minimum you choose, and ending a borrowed session early returns the unused minutes. REAL APP BLOCKING When your allowance runs out, a calm shield covers the selected apps. Stop for today, or open Time Debt to borrow with the full picture. PROTECT YOUR FOCUS Start a focus session in one tap for study, work or reading. Selected apps stay shielded while the timer runs. Borrowed time shows a Live Activity countdown. BUILD A BETTER BEDTIME ROUTINE Set protected hours that can cross midnight and decide in advance whether borrowing is allowed during them. Reminders are optional. SEE YOUR PROGRESS HONESTLY History shows allowances, borrowed and repaid minutes, focus sessions, Flex Minutes earned by stopping early, and days you stayed within your plan — clearly labelled, never framed as failure. FAMILY TOOLS Use a family plan on a shared or handed-over iPhone. Requests and parent approvals happen on the same device, and parent-only settings are protected by Face ID, Touch ID or passcode. There is no remote monitoring. EMERGENCY ACCESS, ALWAYS Remove every Time Debt shield until tomorrow at any time, at no cost. It does not change Screen Time limits set in iOS Settings or by a Family Sharing organizer. PRIVATE BY DESIGN No account and no ads. Your rules, app selections and history stay on your iPhone and work offline. Time Debt never sees app names or content — Apple provides anonymous tokens. RevenueCat processes an anonymous identifier only to manage subscriptions. CORE AND PRO The core plan includes one full plan with real blocking, borrowing, automatic repayment, 7-day history and emergency access. Time Debt Pro adds multiple plans, custom schedules, multi-day repayment, longer history and reports, guided programs and expanded family tools. Time Debt is a voluntary commitment tool for digital wellbeing, not medical or psychological treatment. On your own iPhone, Screen Time permission can be withdrawn in Settings. Auto-renewing subscriptions are managed through Apple. Price, trial eligibility and renewal terms are shown before purchase. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple Account settings. Privacy policy: https://time-debt-app-blocker.rork.app/privacy.html Terms of use: https://time-debt-app-blocker.rork.app/terms.html

Screenshots

Screen Time Control4 screens
Time Debt4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Time Debt at none against Screen Time Control's 8. Screen Time Control's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Screen Time Control sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Time Debt asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Screen Time Control ships an update every 5 days, Time Debt monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Screen Time Control versus Time Debt: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreen Time ControlTime Debt
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (157 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews80.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings157 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer升 徐James Gray

Bugs and requests

Screen Time Control

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • Crashing when adding new habits

Requested features

2 requests
  • More detailed usage analytics
  • Ability to set custom app blocklists

Time Debt

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Screen Time Control

Subscriptions2
  • StayOff Plus Monthly3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • StayOff Plus Annual3 variants$9.991 Year
One-time2
  • StayOff Plus Lifetime$16.99
  • StayOff Plus Lifetime3 variants$49.99
None

Time Debt

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Screen Time Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Time Debt free?
Time Debt is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Screen Time Control or Time Debt have ads?
Neither Screen Time Control nor Time Debt shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Screen Time Control or Time Debt?
Screen Time Control ships an update every 5 days, and Time Debt monthly. Most recently, Screen Time Control was updated on October 24, 2026 and Time Debt on October 16, 2026.

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