Comparison

ScreenMindful vs TimeGuard

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

Head to head
About

ScreenMindful

This app helps you reduce mindless scrolling with gentle, game-like pauses. It uses CBT principles and mini-games to break dopamine loops, allowing you to make intentional choices about app usage. Track your progress and understand your digital triggers without guilt.

Highlights
  • Calming mini-games for app access
  • Emotion logging to understand triggers
  • CBT-powered AI coaching
  • ADHD-friendly interface
  • Kind analytics for progress tracking
  • Gentle friction to break scrolling habits
Features
Read full description

Scrolling can feel automatic when you are anxious, overwhelmed, lonely, or bored. ScreenMindful helps you pause before a distracting app opens, notice what is driving the urge, and choose what you want to do next. ScreenMindful is a gentle digital detox for people who want to limit screen time without adding more guilt. Instead of relying only on rigid lockouts, it creates a short, supportive pause between the urge and the scroll. PAUSE. NOTICE. CHOOSE. 1. Select the apps, categories, and websites that pull you into automatic scrolling. 2. Pause when you try to open one. 3. Check in with how you feel and why you want to scroll. 4. Choose a calming exercise or continue with a clear intention and time limit. CALM THE URGE FIRST Choose a short practice that brings your attention back to the present moment: • Anxiety SOS grounding flow • Guided breathing • Bird counting and mindful play • Gratitude journaling • Self-compassion reflection • Mindfulness quotes • Ocean-inspired calming exercises These tools support reflection and general wellbeing. ScreenMindful is not a medical service and does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions. UNDERSTAND YOUR TRIGGERS Screen time does not tell the whole story. Connect app use with feelings such as anxiety, boredom, loneliness, stress, or calm. Review your emotional patterns and notice what tends to happen before you scroll. SET SUPPORTIVE BOUNDARIES • Block selected apps, categories, and websites • Create schedules for different days and times • Set an intention and duration before scrolling • Use stricter limits when you need firmer boundaries • See your intention and remaining time with Live Activities SEE PROGRESS, NOT SHAME Track mindful actions, focus sessions, streaks, emotional patterns, and screen-time trends. Weekly reviews help you understand what worked without turning a difficult day into failure. REFLECT WITH AN AI COACH Explore the pattern behind an urge and identify one small next step. The AI Coach uses questions inspired by cognitive behavioral principles. It is not a therapist, medical provider, or crisis service. A KINDER RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR PHONE ScreenMindful is inspired by mindfulness, self-compassion, CBT, and MBCT principles. The goal is not perfect discipline or giving up your phone completely. It is creating enough space to make a conscious choice. From a verified U.S. App Store review: “I love the pause and self-love talks that it gives you before it unlocks the app.” Start your digital detox without shame. Download ScreenMindful and turn the next automatic scroll into a moment of choice. Terms of Use: https://shorturl.at/qYVYS Privacy Policy: https://shorturl.at/Rv4Vr

About

TimeGuard

Features
Read full description

TimeGuard - Reclaim Your Time and Focus TimeGuard helps you regain control over your screen time, reduce distractions, and boost productivity. With a simple yet powerful set of features, TimeGuard empowers you to make mindful decisions about your phone usage, helping you stay focused, improve your mental health, and break free from the grips of excessive screen time. Key Features: App Blocker & Limits: Block distracting apps and set daily usage limits to prevent overuse and stay on track. Focus Management: Schedule when to use apps and set "Deep Focus" mode for ultimate concentration. Social Media Control: Limit time on social media and avoid doom scrolling with automated session management. Mindful Breaks: Pause and reflect before opening apps, helping you build healthier habits and reduce impulsive behavior. Screen Time Reporting: Track your progress with detailed reports, streaks, and rewards to stay motivated. Personalized Blocklist: Customize your app and website blocklist to fit your personal needs. Exercise-Triggered Focus Breaks: Engage in physical activities like Squats, Left-Leg Lunges, Jumping Jacks, Push-Ups, Cobra Wings, and Sit-Ups to trigger deep focus pauses and enhance your concentration. Why TimeGuard? TimeGuard is designed for those who want to break free from phone addiction without going cold turkey. Whether you're battling anxiety, ADHD, or just want to become more productive, TimeGuard provides the tools you need to take control of your phone usage and align it with your personal goals. Join thousands of users who have reduced their screen time, improved their focus, and created healthier digital habits. TimeGuard is not just an app; it's a digital wellness companion that helps you live mindfully in a distracted world. Subscription terms: - Weekly Subscription length: weekly. - Weekly Subscription price in USD: 4.99 USD per week - Monthly Subscription length: monthly. - Monthly Subscription price in USD: 7.99 USD per month - Yearly Subscription Subscription length: yearly. - Yearly Subscription Subscription price in USD: 49.99 USD per year - Your payment will be charged to your iTunes Account as soon as you confirm your purchase. - You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal from your Account Settings after the purchase. - Your subscription will renew automatically, unless you turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - The cost of renewal will be charged to your account in the 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. - When canceling a subscription, your subscription will stay active until the end of the period. Auto-renewal will be disabled, but the current subscription will not be refunded. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when purchasing a subscription. - Privacy policy: https://imwallpaper.com/privacy - Terms and conditions: https://imwallpaper.com/terms - If you have any questions feel free to contact us: support@imwallpaper.com

Screenshots

ScreenMindful4 screens
TimeGuard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: ScreenMindful at none against TimeGuard's shown. On price, in-app purchases, 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. ScreenMindful sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and TimeGuard sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
ScreenMindful versus TimeGuard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenMindfulTimeGuard
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS1716.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size76 MB125 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer榕 陈Meta Message Communication Technology Co., Ltd.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

ScreenMindful

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly PRO3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Annual Pro7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime PRO$59.99
6 purchases

TimeGuard

Subscriptions6
  • PREMIUM$4.997 Days
  • PREMIUM3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • PREMIUM3 Days trial$7.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • PREMIUM$7.991 Month
  • PREMIUM3 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • PREMIUM$49.991 Year

Questions

Is ScreenMindful free?
ScreenMindful is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TimeGuard free?
TimeGuard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ScreenMindful or TimeGuard have ads?
TimeGuard shows ads; ScreenMindful does not.

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