# Spool vs Delay

The clearest difference is monetization model: Delay at free with in-app purchases against Spool's subscription. Delay also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Spool sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Delay sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Delay holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 167 and 97 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Spool's written reviews are positive against 88% of Delay's.

Spool ships an update every 9 days, Delay every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Spool | Delay |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (167 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spool-screen-time-control/id6749428484/reviews) | **[4.8 (97 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/delay-study-before-you-scroll/id6749641307/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **167** | 97 |
| Positive reviews | 83.0% of reviews | **87.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 364 MB | 52 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.6** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Prafull Sharma](https://appshunter.io/developer/1830399976) | [Yaseen Halabi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1764769055) |

## What reviewers say

### 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 (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Spool Features Weekly Subscription | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Full Access: Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| 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 |


### Delay

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/delay-study-before-you-scroll/id6749641307)

This app helps users break phone addiction by interrupting mindless scrolling with challenges. It aims to stop the cycle of addictive app usage through strategic interventions.

**Highlights:** Challenge-based interventions, Dopamine delay, Stops mindless app opening, Breaks scrolling cycle, Fun and engaging

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Delay - Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Delay - Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Delay - Family Monthly | $17.99 | per month |
| Delay - Yearly | $79.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Spool free?

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

### Is Delay free?

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

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

Delay is rated higher. Spool averages 4.5 out of 5 from 167 ratings, while Delay averages 4.8 from 97 ratings.

### Do Spool or Delay have ads?

Spool shows ads; Delay does not.

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

Spool ships an update every 9 days, and Delay every 5 days. Most recently, Spool was updated on September 23, 2026 and Delay on September 24, 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.*