Comparison

Screen Time Control vs Deflect

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

Features
Read full description

PetACat – Stay Focused with Cute Cats! Do you get distracted by social media or other apps when you need to focus? PetACat helps you stay on track in the cutest way possible! How It Works: • Select the apps you want to restrict. • Set a time limit for how long you can use them. • When you try to open a restricted app, you must pet a cat and take a photo to unlock it! Key Features: • Prevent access to selected apps until you interact with a cat. • Advanced image recognition to confirm genuine cat petting. • Set personalized unlock durations to suit your routine. Stay productive while enjoying adorable cat moments! Download PetACat now and make your screen time more mindful with a fluffy little challenge! Privacy Policy: https://petacat.app/#privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://petacat.app/#terms-conditions Need help or have a question? Contact us at tolunaykandirmaz@gmail.com

About

Deflect

This app helps you control your screen time by requiring you to justify app usage through a chat interface. It learns your habits and can even request photo proof to ensure you're using your time productively.

Highlights
  • AI-powered app blocking
  • Justify app access via chat
  • Learns user habits
  • Photo proof requests
  • Customizable strictness levels
  • Focus sessions and schedules
Read full description

The screen-time blocker you have to convince. Every blocker has the same flaw: the person who set the limit is the same person trying to break it. You tap "skip," you tap "5 more minutes," and you win every time. Deflect takes that negotiation out of your head. When you open a blocked app, there's no override button. You have to ask Deflect, and explain why. A real reason that can't wait? You get exactly the minutes you need. "Just a quick check"? Deflect remembers the last time you said that. HOW IT WORKS - Block any app or category with focus sessions, schedules like Bedtime, daily limits, or always-on blocks - Open a blocked app and tap "Ask Deflect" to make your case in a quick text-style chat - Deflect asks questions, weighs your reason, and decides in a few messages - Earn a short, time-boxed pass for what you said you'd do, nothing more - Hard mode: blocks can't be ended early. Deflect or an emergency pass are the only way in IT REMEMBERS Deflect remembers your past week of requests and which excuses worked. Asked for 2 minutes to reply to one message, then came straight back for more? It knows. Begging louder doesn't work either. It judges the reason, not the volume. IT READS YOUR DAY Time of day, how long you've already spent in the app, how many times you've asked, and what kind of block you're in. A focus session you started yourself is the hardest one to talk your way out of. Each unlock gets shorter as the day goes on. PROVE IT When a story sounds thin, Deflect can ask for a photo: the email, the assignment, the delivery text. Give a block a goal like "finish calculus homework" and Deflect checks whether it's done before letting you back in. MAKE IT YOURS - Voice: Supportive (warm and on your side) or Unhinged (18+, permanently fed up, roasts your excuses) - Strictness: Easy, Normal, or Hard - Set the most minutes a single unlock can give - Set your end goal, like "more time with my kids," and Deflect reminds you of it on hard days PRIVATE BY DESIGN Deflect uses Apple's Screen Time framework to block apps. Before your first chat, Deflect asks permission and explains exactly what's shared with its AI provider. Your name, email, and age are never sent to the AI. No ads, no tracking, and your data is never sold. Deflect Pro subscription required. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the period ends. Manage anytime in your Apple ID settings. Terms of Use: https://deflectai.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://deflectai.app/privacy

Screenshots

Screen Time Control3 screens
Deflect4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Deflect at daily against Screen Time Control's weekly. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Deflect sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Screen Time Control ships an update weekly, Deflect daily. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Screen Time Control versus Deflect: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreen Time ControlDeflect
PriceFreeFree
Rating—3.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyWeeklyDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB52 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperTolunay KandirmazAdam Otani

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Screen Time Control

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Premium$7.991 Month
  • Annual Premium3 Days trial$49.991 Year
2 purchases

Deflect

Subscriptions2
  • Deflect Pro Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Deflect Pro Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Screen Time Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Deflect free?
Deflect is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Screen Time Control or Deflect have ads?
Neither Screen Time Control nor Deflect shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Screen Time Control or Deflect?
Screen Time Control ships an update weekly, and Deflect daily. Most recently, Screen Time Control was updated on October 28, 2026 and Deflect on October 29, 2026.

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