# Spool vs AppTimeOut

The clearest difference is rating: AppTimeOut at 5.0 against Spool's 4.4. AppTimeOut also leads on ads (none vs shown). Spool's advantage is ratings volume (175 vs 1) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 5 weeks). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Spool sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and AppTimeOut sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

AppTimeOut holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spool has 175 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Spool ships an update every 10 days, AppTimeOut every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Spool | AppTimeOut |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (175 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spool-screen-time-control/id6749428484/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/apptimeout-app-blocker/id6755306490/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **175** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 70.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 464 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **16.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Spooli Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1830399976) | [Harry Huynh](https://appshunter.io/developer/1853045478) |

## What reviewers say

### Spool

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

This app helps break phone addiction by requiring users to justify app usage to an AI before opening. It tracks habits, identifies triggers, and uses cognitive behavioral techniques to build healthier screen time habits.

**Highlights:** AI-justified app access, Habit trigger identification, Dopamine cycle breaking techniques, Custom focus sessions, Daily AI insights, Screen time pattern tracking

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Spool Features Weekly Subscription | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Spool Weekly Subscription | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Full Access: Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| Spool Premium Annual | $25.00 | 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 |


### AppTimeOut

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/apptimeout-app-blocker/id6755306490)

This app helps users overcome phone addiction by providing accountability features like friend-assisted unlocking and scheduled blocking. It offers focus timers and tracks your progress to help you reclaim your day and stay motivated.

**Highlights:** Buddy Lock accountability, Scheduled blocking, Focus timer, Home Screen widget, Daily focus summary, Website blocking

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium | $0.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium | $4.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Spool free?

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

### Is AppTimeOut free?

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

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

AppTimeOut is rated higher. Spool averages 4.4 out of 5 from 175 ratings, while AppTimeOut averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Spool or AppTimeOut have ads?

Spool shows ads; AppTimeOut does not.

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

Spool ships an update every 10 days, and AppTimeOut every 5 weeks. Most recently, Spool was updated on November 5, 2026 and AppTimeOut on November 5, 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.*