Comparison

ScreenMindful vs ScreenHalt

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

ScreenHalt

This app helps you regain control of your digital habits by setting strict limits on app usage and opens. It enforces these boundaries to prevent mindless scrolling and encourage discipline. Take back your time and build healthier routines with its simple, distraction-free interface.

Highlights
  • Limit daily app opens
  • Set time limits for specific apps
  • Enforce strict usage boundaries
  • Simple and distraction-free interface
  • Build healthier digital habits
Features
Read full description

ScreenHalt helps you focus and reduce mindless scrolling by putting firm limits on how much time you spend on apps each day. Set daily limits for app opens and screen time, then let ScreenHalt enforce them. When you reach your limit, access is blocked — no extra scrolling, no exceptions. Designed for people who want real control over their digital habits, ScreenHalt encourages discipline without guilt. Features: • Limit daily app opens • Limit time spent in specific apps • Enforce strict usage boundaries • Simple and distraction-free experience Take back your time and build healthier habits with ScreenHalt. ScreenHalt offers premium features through auto-renewable subscriptions. • Payment will be charged to your App Store account at confirmation of purchase • Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period • Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period • You can manage and cancel your subscriptions in your App Store account settings Terms of Service: https://ScreenHalt.app/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://ScreenHalt.app/privacy-policy

Screenshots

ScreenMindful4 screens
ScreenHalt4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: ScreenHalt at 9 against ScreenMindful's 1. ScreenMindful's advantage is iOS requirement (17 vs 26.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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 ScreenHalt sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for ScreenMindful against 5.0 for ScreenHalt. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScreenHalt has 9 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ScreenMindful ships an update every 3 weeks, ScreenHalt fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
ScreenMindful versus ScreenHalt: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenMindfulScreenHalt
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (9 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings19 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size76 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer榕 陈ScreenHalt LLC

Customer experience

ScreenMindful

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

ScreenHalt

All ratings9 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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
3 purchases

ScreenHalt

Subscriptions2
  • One Month Premium7 Days trial$8.991 Month
  • Annual Premium7 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$149.99

Questions

Is ScreenMindful free?
ScreenMindful is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ScreenHalt free?
ScreenHalt is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ScreenMindful or ScreenHalt?
ScreenMindful and ScreenHalt are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 9 ratings respectively.
Do ScreenMindful or ScreenHalt have ads?
Neither ScreenMindful nor ScreenHalt shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ScreenMindful or ScreenHalt?
ScreenMindful ships an update every 3 weeks, and ScreenHalt fortnightly. Most recently, ScreenMindful was updated on November 4, 2026 and ScreenHalt on November 5, 2026.

Other comparisons