# Breaktime vs Spool

The clearest difference is monetization model: Breaktime at freemium against Spool's subscription. Breaktime also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 10 days). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Breaktime sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Spool sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Breaktime against 4.5 for Spool. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 69 and 171 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 76% of Breaktime's written reviews are positive against 73% of Spool's.

Breaktime ships an update every 5 days, Spool every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Breaktime | Spool |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (69 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/breaktime-focus-app-blocker/id6746742596/reviews)** | [4.5 (171 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spool-screen-time-control/id6749428484/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 69 | **171** |
| Positive reviews | **76.5% of reviews** | 73.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Every 10 days |
| Monetization | **Freemium** | Subscription |
| Size | 22 MB | 406 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nathan Chan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1818276980) | [Prafull Sharma](https://appshunter.io/developer/1830399976) |

## What reviewers say

### Breaktime

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/breaktime-focus-app-blocker/id6746742596)

This app helps you regain control over your screen time by blocking distracting applications. It requires you to set a duration for app usage and start a timed break before accessing blocked apps, ensuring accountability and promoting digital wellbeing.

**Highlights:** Block distracting apps 24/7, Timed breaks for app access, Customizable delay for reconsideration, Strict Mode with no bypasses, Travel Mode for automatic unblocking, Scheduled recurring blocking, Daily limit goals and streaks

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Breaktime Premium | $2.99 | per month |
| Breaktime Premium | $3.99 | per month |
| Breaktime Premium - Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Breaktime Premium | $24.99 | per year |
| Breaktime Premium | $34.99 | per year |
| Breaktime Premium - Annually | $49.99 | per year |
| Premium Promo | $24.99 | one-time |


### Spool

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spool-screen-time-control/id6749428484)

This app helps you break free from excessive screen time by making you pause and justify your phone usage. It uses research-backed techniques to disrupt habit loops and offers instant blocking for apps and websites to help you reclaim focus and improve mental clarity.

**Highlights:** Justify phone usage before scrolling, AI-powered trigger insights, Identify peak phone usage times, Instant app and website blocking, Reclaim focus and mental clarity

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Spool Features Weekly Subscription | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Full Access: Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| Spool Premium Annual | $19.99 | per year |
| Full Access: Limited Time Offer | $34.99 | per year |
| Full Access: Yearly | $34.99 | per year |
| Full Access: Yearly | $44.99 | per year |
| Full Access: Yearly | $44.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Breaktime free?

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

### Is Spool free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Breaktime or Spool?

Breaktime is rated higher. Breaktime averages 4.6 out of 5 from 69 ratings, while Spool averages 4.5 from 171 ratings.

### Do Breaktime or Spool have ads?

Spool shows ads; Breaktime does not.

### Which is updated more often, Breaktime or Spool?

Breaktime ships an update every 5 days, and Spool every 10 days. Most recently, Breaktime was updated on October 15, 2026 and Spool on October 12, 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.*