Comparison

MindfulBlock vs Cala

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

Head to head
About

MindfulBlock

This app helps you break free from distracting apps by prompting a brief reflection before opening them. Transform mindless scrolling into a mindful journaling habit and regain control of your screen time.

Highlights
  • Pause before opening distracting apps
  • Jot down quick reflections
  • Unlock short focus windows
  • Breaks habit loops
  • Builds emotional awareness
  • 100% private, no accounts
Features
Read full description

Take back control from endless scrolling. MindfulBlock helps you pause before opening distracting apps by guiding you to jot down a quick reflection. This small habit turns mindless scrolling into mindful journaling. How it works: • Choose the apps that steal your focus • Each time you try to open one, write a 1–2 line note • Unlock a short focus window (1–15 min) before deciding again Why it works: • Breaks the habit loop with a mindful pause • Builds awareness of your emotions and triggers • Turns urges into opportunities for reflection • Flexible: you stay in control, not locked out completely Privacy first: • No accounts, no tracking, 100% private • Your notes stay safely on your device Terms of Use: https://mindfulblock.vercel.app/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://mindfulblock.vercel.app/privacy.html

About

Cala

Read full description

You pick up your phone for "just a second" — and 45 minutes disappear. Cala stops that cycle with real app blocking and a ten-second breath that turns impulse into intention. When you open a blocked app, Cala holds a shield. You breathe, then choose how long you need — 5, 15, or 30 minutes. When time's up, the app locks itself again. You decided in advance, so the moment doesn't get a vote. WHAT CALA DOES • Blocks any app or website with Apple's Screen Time shields — real blocking, not reminders • No Shortcuts to wire up and no workarounds to maintain — grant Screen Time access once and you're protected • Protects on your schedule: work hours, evenings, overnight, or all day • A short breathing exercise before every unlock — a pause, not a punishment • Timed access that re-locks automatically when you're done • Three strictness levels — Standard, Strict, and Locked. As firm as you need. • Habits and tasks live inside your protected hours, so the shield offers a better option, not just a wall • A Focus Score that measures the time you protected and the wins you stacked — not your failures • A weekly review of your wins, ready every Monday AS FIRM AS YOU NEED Standard asks for a calm ten-second breath before each unlock. Strict makes each unlock cost a little more. Locked holds the line completely — with a once-a-day emergency pass, because life happens. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Cala never sees which apps you open or for how long. Apple's Screen Time design keeps that on your device, and we like it that way. FREE TO START One schedule, unlimited blocked apps, two habits, your Focus Score, and the full breathing unlock — free. Cala Pro adds unlimited schedules and habits, Strict and Locked levels, and your complete history. Your phone, your rules. Cala keeps them. Terms of Use: https://heycala.com/terms

Screenshots

MindfulBlock4 screens
Cala4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: MindfulBlock at every 3 weeks against Cala's every 2 months. Cala's advantage is iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.5). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. MindfulBlock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Cala sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MindfulBlock ships an update every 3 weeks, Cala every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
MindfulBlock versus Cala: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMindfulBlockCala
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.518.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDaniil ShevliukSpark Digital Incorporated

In-app purchases

3 purchases

MindfulBlock

Subscriptions2
  • MindfulBlock Plus (Monthly)$3.991 Month
  • MindfulBlock Plus (Annual)$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • MindfulBlock Plus (Lifetime)$69.99
2 purchases

Cala

Subscriptions2
  • Cala Pro — Monthly7 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Cala Pro — Yearly7 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is MindfulBlock free?
MindfulBlock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cala free?
Cala is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do MindfulBlock or Cala have ads?
Neither MindfulBlock nor Cala shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MindfulBlock or Cala?
MindfulBlock ships an update every 3 weeks, and Cala every 2 months. Most recently, MindfulBlock was updated on October 30, 2026 and Cala on October 31, 2026.

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