Comparison

Screen Time Control vs Barrier

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

Regain control of your time and attention by blocking distracting apps. This tool helps you concentrate on important tasks with flexible blocking options, gamified achievements, and detailed progress tracking. Achieve a more intentional and fulfilling life by reducing unnecessary screen time.

Highlights
  • Flexible app blocking options
  • Daily session limits
  • App usage limits
  • Scheduled blocking
  • Gamification and achievements
  • Detailed progress tracking
  • Customizable interface
Features
Read full description

Pure Focus – Stay Focused, Live Fully In a world full of digital distractions, staying focused has never been more challenging. Constant notifications, social media feeds, and endless doomscrolling often derail productivity. Pure Focus is designed to help you regain control over your time and attention by blocking distracting apps, allowing you to concentrate on what truly matters. Whether you’re studying, working, or simply want to reduce unnecessary screen time, the app provides a simple and effective solution to live a more intentional and fulfilling life. Main features: ► Flexible App Blocking Options • Quick Session: Start focusing instantly with just one tap. Perfect for spontaneous work bursts. • Daily Session Limits: Set a specific number of focus sessions per day to build consistent productivity habits. • App Usage Limit: Define daily usage limits for selected apps. Once reached, the apps are blocked, ensuring you stay on track. • Scheduled Blocking: Plan your focus time by scheduling app blocks during essential tasks, meetings, or study periods. ► Gamification and Achievements Stay motivated with our built-in achievement system. Earn rewards for hitting focus milestones, maintaining streaks, and cutting down screen time. Turning focus into a game keeps you engaged and committed. ► Detailed Progress Tracking and Statistics Monitor your habits and progress with comprehensive statistics. View session counts, streaks, and time saved on the home screen. Detailed reports provide insights into your focus patterns over time, helping you improve daily. ►Customization and User-Friendly Interface Tailor Pure Focus to your needs with extensive customization options. Choose which apps to block, adjust time limits, and personalize session durations—all through a clean, intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate. This isn’t just an app blocker; it’s a complete solution for reclaiming your time and boosting productivity. With flexible blocking modes, motivating achievements, and insightful progress tracking, staying focused becomes simple and rewarding. Download Pure Focus today and take the first step toward a more focused, distraction-free life. Contact Us: info@apppurefocus.com Terms of Use: https://telegra.ph/Terms-of-Use-02-25-3 Privacy Policy: https://telegra.ph/Privacy-Policy-02-25-64

About

Barrier

This app helps you regain control over your phone usage by creating a physical barrier to accessing distracting applications. Instead of simply closing apps, it requires you to wait a set amount of time with your phone face down before granting temporary access, prompting reflection on your digital habits.

Highlights
  • Select apps to limit
  • Automatic app locking
  • Face-down phone wait for unlock
  • Temporary app access
  • Customizable wait times (5-60 seconds)
  • Unlimited apps with paid version
Features
Read full description

Most blockers simply close apps. One tap and you’re back to scrolling. This app works differently. To open social media, you have to put your phone face down and wait. From 5 to 60 seconds — you choose. There’s no “cancel” button. You just sit there, staring at the back of your phone. In those seconds, your brain snaps out of autopilot. You remember that you actually had things to do. And you realize — is this feed really worth a minute of your life? Most of the time — it’s not. This isn’t blocking. It’s a physical barrier that brings back control. How Barrier works: 1. Choose apps → Select the apps you want to limit 2.Auto-blocking → Apps are locked automatically 3.Unlock → Put your phone face down for a set time 4.Temporary access → Apps become available for a limited time Paid features: - Unlimited apps and category (Free: 5 apps or 1 category) Privacy Policy: https://sabellus.github.io/portal/privacybarrier.html Terms of Use: https://sabellus.github.io/portal/termsbarrier.html

Screenshots

Screen Time Control4 screens
Barrier4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Screen Time Control at 4.7 against Barrier's 3.0. Screen Time Control also leads on ratings volume (47 vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Barrier sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Screen Time Control holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Screen Time Control has 47 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Screen Time Control ships an update every 3 weeks, Barrier every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Screen Time Control versus Barrier: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreen Time ControlBarrier
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (47 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings47 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size73 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDmitry VanyushkinSavelii Veprev

Customer experience

Screen Time Control

All ratings46 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral2.2%
Negative2.2%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Barrier

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Screen Time Control

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Plan (1 Month)3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Plan (1 Year)7 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Plan$34.99
3 purchases

Barrier

Subscriptions2
  • Premium for week$2.997 Days
  • Premium for month$4.991 Month
One-time1
  • Premium Forever$9.99

Questions

Is Screen Time Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Barrier free?
Barrier is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Screen Time Control or Barrier?
Screen Time Control is rated higher. Screen Time Control averages 4.7 out of 5 from 47 ratings, while Barrier averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Screen Time Control or Barrier have ads?
Neither Screen Time Control nor Barrier shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Screen Time Control or Barrier?
Screen Time Control ships an update every 3 weeks, and Barrier every 2 weeks. Most recently, Screen Time Control was updated on November 4, 2026 and Barrier on October 30, 2026.

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