Comparison

Grip vs Screen Time Control

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

Head to head
About

Grip

This app helps you regain control of your screen time by making distractions costly. It offers instant app blocks, daily limits, and scheduled focus sessions to combat doomscrolling and build better habits. The unique paywall mechanic encourages mindful usage of blocked applications.

Highlights
  • Instant app blocks
  • Daily screen time limits
  • Scheduled focus sessions
  • Paid unblocks for controlled access
  • Customizable unlock limits
  • Automatic block scheduling
Features
Read full description

The first app to make distractions costly ($4.99 to access Instagram or TikTok)—get a grip on your life with instant blocks, daily limits, and scheduled focus sessions. As the ultimate screen time control app, Grip helps you block apps, limit screen time, and build better habits. Successful people don't have stronger willpower, they use tools that aggressively protect their time and energy. Grip is that ironclad app blocker for anyone who: - Feels the drain of doomscrolling and excessive screen time - Tried other tools like basic blockers but bypassed them too easily - Wants a system to stop their smartphone from stealing focus Grip turns distractions into a real cost, so you treat your time like it's worth something. Rated 5 stars by users: "Finally, an app that works!" KEY FEATURES: 1. Power Grip: Instant App Blocks: Block distracting apps like Instagram or TikTok immediately for a set duration. Schedule automatic blocks—e.g., no social media for the first 30 minutes after waking up. Perfect for screen time control and daily focus. 2. Iron Grip: Indefinite Blocking with Limits: Apps stay blocked until you choose to unlock. Set custom limits on unlocks per app (frequency) and duration per session, giving you total control over usage. 3. Releases: Paid Unblocks for Controlled Access: Need a quick check? Use Releases—an in-app paid feature—to temporarily access blocked apps. Get 3 free emergency Releases per month with your subscription. This paywall mechanic ensures mindful decisions, unlike easy overrides in other focus apps. Download now and start your free trial! Subscription Terms: Grip offers a 3-day free trial, then $4.99/month or $59.99/year. Cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. LEGAL INFORMATION Terms of Use: https://joingrip.io/terms Privacy Policy: https://joingrip.io/privacy

About

Screen Time Control

This app helps you stay focused and manage screen time through gamified streaks and rewards. It offers flexible blocking options and engaging analytics without guilt or judgment.

Highlights
  • Daily streaks for momentum
  • Earn rewards for focus goals
  • Engaging screen time analytics
  • Flexible app blocking options
  • Customizable schedules and time limits
  • Cute and friendly user interface
Features
Read full description

Stay focused without the guilt. Hazel is the cute, fun way to take control of your screen time. ◆ YOUR NEW FOCUS BESTIE Meet Hazel. Not your typical productivity app. We're here to make staying focused actually enjoyable—not through punishing rules, but through streaks, rewards, and genuine support. Your hedgehog friend gets it. No judgment. Just vibes. ◆ WHAT MAKES HAZEL DIFFERENT Unlike other screen time apps that feel like punishment, Hazel makes it fun to stay focused: ◆ DAILY STREAKS - Build momentum, not guilt Watch your streak grow as you stick to your goals. Every day counts. See that number climb? That's the dopamine you actually want. Share your streaks with friends (or don't—zero pressure). ◆ EARN REWARDS - Get rewarded for staying focused Because why not? Complete your focus goals and unlock rewards. Every streak matters. Every small win counts. ◆ FUN ANALYTICS - Actually understand your screen time Boring graphs? Not here. Our insights are designed to be engaging and easy to understand. Cool colors, simple numbers, real insights. You'll actually *want* to check them. ◆ THREE FLEXIBLE BLOCKS - Control your way • Schedules - Block apps during specific times (class, work, sleep) • Time Limits - Set daily caps on your worst apps • App Locks - Limit how many times you can open an app per day Pick what works for you. No judgement, no shame. You're in control. ◆ LIGHT, EASY UI - Built for your vibe No scary screens, no corporate energy. Hazel is designed to feel friendly and approachable. Our warm colors and cute design make taking control of your screen time actually pleasant. ◆ NO GUILT, NO SHAME We know you're not "addicted." You just want more focus. We know life happens—sometimes you break your goals. That's normal. That's okay. Hazel is here to support, not judge. Take a break? No problem. Get back on track? We're here for it. ◆ BUILT FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU Hazel is designed for: - Students who want to focus without spiraling into guilt - People who love their phone but want to use it less mindlessly - Anyone who's tired of productivity apps that feel like punishment - Younger people who want cool, relatable design (not corporate vibes) - Anyone who wants to build actual habits, not just suppress bad ones The typical "focus app" isn't made for your generation. Hazel is. ◆ MAKE IT FUN With daily streaks and rewards, staying focused becomes a game you actually want to play. Compete with friends (or yourself). Celebrate wins. Treat your phone like something you control, not something that controls you. ◆ YOUR DATA, YOUR CONTROL Your data stays on your phone. Always. We use Apple's own Screen Time technology—the same thing that powers Apple's built-in controls. You're in good hands. Your privacy? Sacred. ◆ DESIGNED WITH CARE Hazel is built with a warm, earthy color palette and a cute hedgehog mascot because staying focused should feel good, not scary. Every animation is smooth. Every button is thoughtful. This isn't corporate—this is made with love. ◆ START YOUR STREAK TODAY Download Hazel and join thousands of people who are taking control of their screen time—guilt-free. Your first streak starts now. Questions? Say hi at admin@gethazel.app. We're here for you. --- Privacy Policy: https://gethazel.app/privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://gethazel.app/terms-of-service

Screenshots

Grip4 screens
Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Screen Time Control at free with in-app purchases against Grip's subscription. Grip's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 83%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Grip sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Screen Time Control sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Grip holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 30 and 77 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Grip's written reviews are positive against 83% of Screen Time Control's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Grip ships an update every 2 weeks, Screen Time Control fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Grip versus Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGripScreen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (30 ratings) — better4.8 (77 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better83.3% of reviews
Number of ratings3077 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.6 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB128 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJoingrip LLCVibe Labs

Customer experience

Grip

All ratings22 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Screen Time Control

All ratings77 ratings
Positive94.8%
Neutral2.6%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Grip

Subscriptions2
  • Grip: Screen Time Control3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Grip: Screen Time Control3 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • 1 Release$4.99
4 purchases

Screen Time Control

Subscriptions4
  • Hazel Plus Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Hazel Plus Monthly$12.991 Month
  • Hazel Plus Yearly$79.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Hazel Plus Yearly1 Year trial$79.991 Year

Questions

Is Grip free?
Grip is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Screen Time Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Grip or Screen Time Control?
Grip is rated higher. Grip averages 5.0 out of 5 from 30 ratings, while Screen Time Control averages 4.8 from 77 ratings.
Do Grip or Screen Time Control have ads?
Neither Grip nor Screen Time Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Grip or Screen Time Control?
Grip ships an update every 2 weeks, and Screen Time Control fortnightly. Most recently, Grip was updated on September 18, 2026 and Screen Time Control on September 21, 2026.

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