# Hold It vs MathBrain

The clearest difference is price: MathBrain at Free against Hold It's $9.99. Hold It's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

MathBrain is free to download; Hold It costs $9.99 up front. MathBrain sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Hold It asks for nothing beyond the download.

Hold It ships an update every 2 weeks, MathBrain every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 7, 2026 and June 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hold It | MathBrain |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | — | **[3.5 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mathbrain-smart-screen-unlock/id6762207219/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **4** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Freemium** |
| Size | 3 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.6** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [kaisei watanabe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1543587757) | [Abdullah YILMAZ](https://appshunter.io/developer/1636324967) |

## What reviewers say

### Hold It

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hold-it-simple-app-blocker/id6745756356)

This app helps you stay focused by limiting access to distracting applications during study or deep work sessions. Set daily time limits or launch counts for chosen apps with a simple, private, and effective system. Pay once and use it forever, with no recurring fees or hidden costs.

**Highlights:** Limit app usage by time or launches, One-time purchase, no subscriptions, Simple setup in under a minute, Works fully offline, Private, no data uploaded or shared, Designed for students and deep work

**In-app purchases:** none


### MathBrain

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mathbrain-smart-screen-unlock/id6762207219)

This app transforms screen time into a learning opportunity by presenting a quick math, logic, or science challenge before selected apps can be opened. It encourages focus and daily mental practice for students, families, and brain-training enthusiasts.

**Highlights:** Daily STEM challenges, Math, logic, and science puzzles, Smarter screen-time routine, Parental control for learning, Brain training for adults, Builds consistency and habits

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| MathBrain Unlock Premium Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| MathBrain Unlock Premium Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| MathBrain Unlock Premium Lifetime | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hold It free?

Hold It costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is MathBrain free?

MathBrain is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Hold It or MathBrain have ads?

Neither Hold It nor MathBrain shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Hold It or MathBrain?

Hold It ships an update every 2 weeks, and MathBrain every 2 months. Most recently, Hold It was updated on September 7, 2026 and MathBrain on June 26, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*