Comparison

Spool vs qwip

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

Head to head
About

Spool

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
Read full description

Less scrolling, more living. Spool blocks doomscrolling, brainrot, and screen addiction at the source — by making you justify yourself before you scroll. Most screen time blockers don't work because they treat phone addiction like a discipline problem. It's not. It's a habit loop your brain is stuck in — a dopamine cycle reinforced every time you reach for your phone without thinking. Spool interrupts the cycle. Before any blocked app opens, you have to state your case to our AI. Use the same excuse too many times and Spool locks you out automatically. Built on cognitive behavioral techniques and behavioral research on attention and habit formation. WHY YOU'LL LOVE SPOOL - Understand your hidden triggers with daily AI insights - Track your phone addiction patterns over time - Discover when you reach for apps most (and why) - Instant app and website blocking that actually works - Schedule blocking windows for your weak hours - Lock in during deep work with custom focus sessions - Reflect on every excuse you've made and spot the loops - CBT-inspired techniques to break the dopamine cycle - Detox from doomscrolling, brainrot, and mindless scroll WHO IT'S FOR Spool is for anyone struggling with phone addiction, doomscrolling, or losing hours to TikTok, Instagram, Reels, YouTube Shorts, or X. Built for people who've tried Screen Time, willpower, and other app blockers — and want something that actually changes the habit, not just the limit. WHAT MAKES SPOOL DIFFERENT Other apps just block. Spool teaches you about yourself. Every excuse you make becomes data. Every reflection makes you more aware. Every blocked attempt strengthens the new habit. Reclaim your focus. Build a more intentional relationship with your phone. ————————————— Spool Full Access — Weekly Length: 1 week, auto-renewing Price: $4.99 USD / week Spool Full Access — Yearly Length: 1 year, auto-renewing Price: $44.99 USD / year Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://thespoolapp.com/#/privacy

About

qwip

Features
Read full description

qwip is a curated map of 50+ cafes, coworking spaces, hotels, and gyms across the city, handpicked for remote workers, freelancers, and anyone who needs a change of scene. Every spot has been checked for the things that actually matter: fast wifi, plug sockets, noise levels, opening hours, and whether you need to buy something to stay. FIND YOUR SPOT Browse a map of the best places to work across London. Filter by type: cafe, coworking, gym, or hotel. Search by area, or find what's near you right now. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Each spot has the details you need. Wifi quality, power availability, typical noise levels, opening hours, and amenities like coffee and food. See photos of the space before you commit to the walk over. SAVE AND SHARE Build collections of your favourite spots. Share them with friends, colleagues, or visitors coming to town. Everyone has that one friend who asks where to work from: send them your list. COMING LATER THIS YEAR Bookable soundproof pods across London's largest shopping centres, transit hubs, and other public spaces. Perfect for calls, focus work, or a quiet moment when the cafe is too loud. Questions or a spot to suggest? Email hello@qwip.co.uk or visit qwip.co.uk/support.

Screenshots

Spool4 screens
qwip4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: qwip at none against Spool's 7. qwip also leads on ads (none vs shown). Spool's advantage is iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). On price 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. Spool sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. qwip asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Spool versus qwip: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpoolqwip
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (171 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews73.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings171 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 10 days—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.6 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size406 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPrafull Sharmaqwip LTD

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Spool

Subscriptions7
  • Spool Features Weekly Subscription$4.997 Days
  • Full Access: Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Spool Premium Annual$19.991 Year
Show 4 more
  • Full Access: Limited Time Offer7 Days trial$34.991 Year
  • Full Access: Yearly$34.991 Year
  • Full Access: Yearly7 Days trial$44.991 Year
  • Full Access: Yearly$44.991 Year
None

qwip

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Spool free?
Spool is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is qwip free?
qwip is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Spool or qwip have ads?
Spool shows ads; qwip does not.

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