# Bloom vs PauseBox

The clearest difference is update cadence: Bloom at fortnightly against PauseBox's every 3 months. Bloom also leads on ratings volume (2.4K vs 29). PauseBox's advantage is review sentiment (82% vs 66%). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Bloom against 4.9 for PauseBox. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bloom has 2.4K ratings behind it against 29, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 66% of Bloom's written reviews are positive against 82% of PauseBox's.

Bloom ships an update fortnightly, PauseBox every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bloom | PauseBox |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (2.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bloom-conquer-screen-time/id6736728158/reviews) | **[4.9 (29 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pausebox/id6745524690/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2.4K** | 29 |
| Positive reviews | 65.9% of reviews | **82.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 67 MB | 90 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **16.4** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Find Your Bloom LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1773221809) | [Britt Espinosa](https://appshunter.io/developer/1812701009) |

## What reviewers say

### Bloom

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bloom-conquer-screen-time/id6736728158)

This app helps you conquer screen time by requiring you to tap an NFC keycard to your phone to access distracting apps. Set schedules, manage breaks, and utilize strict mode to stay focused. It's a physical solution for digital detox and improved productivity.

**Highlights:** NFC keycard app blocking, Customizable distraction lists, Focus schedules, Break limits, Strict mode, Emergency exits

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Helps reduce screen time
- 👍 Effective at improving productivity
- 💡 Unique physical card concept
- 🔒 Prevents access to distracting apps
- 👍 Gamified approach is motivating

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy app with crashes and settings issues
- 💡 Could use more flexible session scheduling

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when selecting apps for blocklist
- Settings fail to save consistently

**Requested features**

- More flexible session scheduling options
- Thinner, more discreet physical card


### PauseBox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pausebox/id6745524690)

This app helps you block digital distractions by creating a physical barrier. Select apps to block, create custom groups with schedules, and then tap your phone on a physical device to initiate a focus session. It encourages intentional separation to break habit loops.

**Highlights:** Select apps to block, Create custom Pause Groups, Schedule focus sessions, Use physical device for blocking, Remote blocking option, Intentional separation from phone

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bloom free?

Bloom is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PauseBox free?

PauseBox is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Bloom or PauseBox?

PauseBox is rated higher. Bloom averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.4K ratings, while PauseBox averages 4.9 from 29 ratings.

### Do Bloom or PauseBox have ads?

Neither Bloom nor PauseBox shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Bloom or PauseBox?

Bloom ships an update fortnightly, and PauseBox every 3 months. Most recently, Bloom was updated on September 27, 2026 and PauseBox on September 19, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*