Comparison

Screen Time Control vs WhyNow

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

This app helps you limit screen time and reduce distractions by locking distracting apps until you step outside and walk in the sun. It uses habit psychology to make healthier choices effortless, promoting focus, energy, and better sleep by syncing with your circadian rhythm.

Highlights
  • Limit screen time without shame
  • Delay distracting apps until sunlight exposure
  • Unlock apps by stepping outside
  • Real-time unlocks via selfie
  • Private by design, on-device data
  • Gentle celebrations and mood boosts
Features
Read full description

Control your screen time before it controls you. Every morning, before you’ve even seen the sun, you’re already scrolling. Sunlock helps you limit screen time, reduce distractions, and start your day with focus, energy, and calm. Sunlock isn’t just a timer or tracker. How It Works Your chosen apps stay locked until you: 1. Step outside 2. Walk in the sun Unlock your apps and your nervous system. It’s a one-tap morning ritual that locks your most distracting apps until you’ve done one of the best things you can do for your energy, focus, and sleep: get sunlight before screenlight. Why It Works Forget willpower and guilt. Sunlock uses proven habit psychology to: • Interrupt default behaviour • Make the better choice feel effortless Feel the Difference • Start your day with intention, not impulse • No more hours lost to autopilot scrolling • Sleep better by syncing with your circadian rhythm • Rebuild focus and calm within a week • Turn screen time control into a habit you enjoy Key Features • Limit Screen Time Without Shame: No streaks. No guilt. Just soft, mindful boundaries • App Time Limit With Purpose: Delay Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or any app until you Sunlock • Light Before Likes: Get sunlight within 60 minutes of waking for maximum benefit • Real-Time Unlocks: Selfie outside in sun or nature, unlock instantly • Gentle Celebrations: Uplifting quotes, insights, and mood boosts • Private by Design: No tracking. 100% on-device Join the Movement Sunlight before screenlight. Circadian rhythm before the algorithm. Privacy First Your habits are yours. Sunlock never stores your data in the cloud. We never share it. Ever. Reclaim your mornings, and your attention. It’s time to Sunlock. Take control, limit screen time, and start your day on your terms.

About

WhyNow

This app helps you reduce time spent on distracting applications by requiring intentional unlocks. Create custom blocking profiles and choose from various unlock methods like physical movement, QR codes, or timers to build better phone habits.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps
  • Create focused profiles
  • Unlock with movement challenges
  • Use QR codes or NFC tags
  • Add timers and delays
  • Track focus progress
Features
Read full description

WhyNow helps you spend less time on distracting apps by making every unlock intentional. Instead of relying only on limits you can ignore, WhyNow lets you create blocking profiles for the apps that pull you in, then choose how access should be unlocked. Move before you scroll, scan a QR code, tap an NFC tag, wait through a timer, pause with intention, or use emergency access when you truly need it. Use WhyNow to: - Block distracting apps with Apple Screen Time - Create focused profiles for work, study, sleep, mornings, nights, or deep focus - Unlock with pushups and movement-based challenges - Use QR codes or NFC tags as physical keys - Add timers, delays, pauses, and emergency access - Track sessions and see your focus progress over time - Build better phone habits without losing access when it matters WhyNow is built for people who want practical screen time control, not guilt. It helps you create friction in the moments when you need it most, so opening a distracting app becomes a conscious choice instead of a reflex. Start with a simple profile, choose the apps you want to block, pick an unlock method, and let WhyNow help you reclaim your time one session at a time. Terms of Use: https://tanvir.io/awesomeapps/terms Privacy Policy: https://tanvir.io/awesomeapps/privacy

Screenshots

Screen Time Control4 screens
WhyNow4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Screen Time Control at none against WhyNow's 3. On price, update cadence, 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. WhyNow sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Screen Time Control asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Screen Time Control ships an update every 8 days, WhyNow every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Screen Time Control versus WhyNow: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreen Time ControlWhyNow
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.217.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB108 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperqalvappsTaseen Tanvir

Customer experience

Screen Time Control

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

WhyNow

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Screen Time Control

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

WhyNow

Subscriptions3
  • WhyNow Monthly$9.991 Month
  • WhyNow Annual Save Offer$39.991 Year
  • WhyNow Annual7 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is Screen Time Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is WhyNow free?
WhyNow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Screen Time Control or WhyNow have ads?
Neither Screen Time Control nor WhyNow shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Screen Time Control or WhyNow?
Screen Time Control ships an update every 8 days, and WhyNow every 9 days. Most recently, Screen Time Control was updated on October 5, 2026 and WhyNow on October 6, 2026.

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