Comparison

PauseBox vs Basic Mode

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

Head to head
About

PauseBox

This app helps you block digital distractions by creating a physical barrier. Select apps to block, create custom groups with schedules, and then tap your phone on a physical device to initiate a focus session. It encourages intentional separation to break habit loops.

Highlights
  • Select apps to block
  • Create custom Pause Groups
  • Schedule focus sessions
  • Use physical device for blocking
  • Remote blocking option
  • Intentional separation from phone
Features
Read full description

PauseBox creates a physical block between you and distractions. Here's how it works: 1. Select the apps you want to block Open the PauseApp and choose which apps to block, or select the few you want to keep. Create custom Pause Groups like Work, Study, or Family Time, each with its own app rules, schedules, or timers to fit your day.PauseBox creates a physical block between you and distractions. Here's how it works: 2. Tap your phone on PauseBox to block selected apps After selecting a Pause Group, tap your phone on the PauseBox to start blocking apps. Your focus session begins right away. Not nearby? Use “Pause without tap” in the app to start remotely. 3. Put distance between you and the PauseBox Place your PauseBox out of reach to create intentional separation. As a physical barrier to digital distractions, it makes unblocking a conscious choice and helps break the habit loop.

About

Basic Mode

Transform your phone into a focused device on a schedule. Block distracting apps, categories, and websites while keeping essential functions accessible. Create custom modes for work, sleep, or family time, with an emergency unlock option.

Highlights
  • Customizable focus modes
  • Block apps, categories, and websites
  • Scheduled blocking sessions
  • Emergency app unlock
  • Essential app access
  • Privacy-focused design
Features
Read full description

Basic Mode turns your iPhone into a dumb phone — on your schedule. Pick a mode — Work, Night, Family, Deep Reset, or your own — choose which apps, categories, and websites go quiet, and start a session. Distractions get blocked. Essentials like calls, messages, maps, and camera stay available. • Saved modes for work, sleep, family time, and deeper resets • Block by app, category, or website — you decide • Timeboxed emergency unlock when you truly need it • Always reversible — restore app access anytime • 100% private: no account, no tracking, everything stays on your device Built on Apple's Screen Time. Basic Mode is free to use. Pro is an optional subscription that unlocks scheduled sessions, Commitment Lock, and custom modes. Cancel anytime. Terms of Use (EULA): https://probabilityapps.com/basic-mode/terms Privacy Policy: https://probabilityapps.com/basic-mode/privacy

Screenshots

PauseBox3 screens
Basic Mode4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PauseBox at none against Basic Mode's 3. PauseBox also leads on ratings volume (29 vs 1) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.0). Basic Mode's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 82%) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). On price, rating, ads 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. Basic Mode sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. PauseBox asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for PauseBox against 5.0 for Basic Mode. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PauseBox has 29 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 82% of PauseBox's written reviews are positive against 100% of Basic Mode's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PauseBox ships an update every 3 months, Basic Mode monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
PauseBox versus Basic Mode: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPauseBoxBasic Mode
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (29 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews82.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings29 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.4 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size90 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBritt EspinosaPROBABILITY LLC

Customer experience

PauseBox

All ratings14 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive82.4%
Neutral5.9%
Negative11.8%

Basic Mode

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

In-app purchases

None

PauseBox

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Basic Mode

Subscriptions3
  • Basic Mode Weekly Lite$2.997 Days
  • Basic Mode Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Basic Mode Weekly Plus$7.997 Days

Questions

Is PauseBox free?
PauseBox is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Basic Mode free?
Basic Mode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PauseBox or Basic Mode?
Basic Mode is rated higher. PauseBox averages 4.9 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while Basic Mode averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do PauseBox or Basic Mode have ads?
Neither PauseBox nor Basic Mode shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PauseBox or Basic Mode?
PauseBox ships an update every 3 months, and Basic Mode monthly. Most recently, PauseBox was updated on October 16, 2026 and Basic Mode on October 15, 2026.

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