# White Screen vs Polanthos

The clearest difference is update cadence: Polanthos at every 2 days against White Screen's monthly. Polanthos also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). White Screen's advantage is ratings volume (200 vs 3) and iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. White Screen sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Polanthos sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Polanthos holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: White Screen has 200 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 87% of White Screen's written reviews are positive against 100% of Polanthos's.

White Screen ships an update monthly, Polanthos every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | White Screen | Polanthos |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (200 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/white-screen-minimal-launcher/id6737041451/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polanthos-pause-scrolling/id6773573378/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **200** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 86.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 77 MB | 16 MB |
| Requires iOS | **18.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Astrochimp SRL](https://appshunter.io/developer/1611331415) | [HAIYI NING](https://appshunter.io/developer/6773573380) |

## What reviewers say

### White Screen

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/white-screen-minimal-launcher/id6737041451)

This app transforms your home screen into a clean, focused space by decluttering your phone and reducing distractions. It allows you to add your most-used apps to widgets for quick access, helping you focus on productivity and well-being.

**Highlights:** Minimalist app launcher, Declutter home screen, Reduce distractions, Launch apps from widgets, Customizable widgets, Custom wallpapers

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Whitescreen Lifetime Premium Plan | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💰 Free to use, no subscription
- ✨ Minimalist design
- 👍 Easy to set up
- 📱 Helps reduce phone usage
- 🎨 Good customization options

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤔 Widget name cannot be removed
- ⚠️ White screen appears before opening apps
- 📱 Some apps do not launch
- 🖼️ Limited background options
- ❌ Phone app shortcut broken

**Reported bugs**

- White screen appears before opening apps
- Phone app shortcut is broken
- Some apps in the master list do not launch
- Widget not found in the list of widgets
- Error when trying to open the Phone app (default iOS)

**Requested features**

- Transparent background or custom gallery wallpaper
- Dark mode synced with wallpaper
- Spacer widgets for more app icons
- Ability to remove widget title
- Add Anki flashcard app shortcut


### Polanthos

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polanthos-pause-scrolling/id6773573378)

This app helps you pause before opening distracting applications, encouraging intentional social media use and reducing mindless scrolling. It offers a mindful moment to decide if you truly want to proceed, with features like focus schedules and reclaimed time tracking.

**Highlights:** Mindful pause before app launch, Focus schedules, Gentle reminders, Reclaimed time tracking, Simple redirects, Calm design

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Polanthos Pro Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Polanthos Pro Yearly | $17.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is White Screen free?

White Screen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Polanthos free?

Polanthos is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, White Screen or Polanthos?

Polanthos is rated higher. White Screen averages 4.6 out of 5 from 200 ratings, while Polanthos averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do White Screen or Polanthos have ads?

Neither White Screen nor Polanthos shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, White Screen or Polanthos?

White Screen ships an update monthly, and Polanthos every 2 days. Most recently, White Screen was updated on October 24, 2026 and Polanthos on October 18, 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.*