Comparison

Spool vs Prmo

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

Prmo

Features
Read full description

Prmo is a focus app for people who are tired of fighting their own phone. Start a focus session, block the apps that derail you, and watch your focused time add up — on your own or with friends. FOCUS, FOR REAL • Strict Lock-in — block distracting apps the moment a session starts. No escape hatch. • Focus timer — Pomodoro or stopwatch, with sessions logged automatically. • Your day at a glance — daily, weekly, and monthly stats plus a full calendar. STAY ACCOUNTABLE • Add friends and see each other's daily focus minutes. • Streaks, achievements, and a friendly nudge when someone's slacking. PRMO PRO Unlock everything that keeps you in the zone: • Strict app blocking during focus • AI focus insights — personalized weekly coaching on your habits • AI task planner — turn a messy brain-dump into a clear plan • Groups & competitions — climb the leaderboard with friends Start with a 7-day free trial. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Prmo is local-first — your tasks and sessions live on your device. AI features are optional and opt-in, and you choose what you share with friends. Download Prmo and make focus your default. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Spool4 screens
Prmo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Prmo at none against Spool's shown. Prmo also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.6). On price, update cadence, 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. Spool sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Prmo sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Spool ships an update every 9 days, Prmo every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Spool versus Prmo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpoolPrmo
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (171 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews81.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings171 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size400 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPrafull SharmaAmin El Bassiouni

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
3 purchases

Prmo

Subscriptions2
  • Prmo Pro7 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Prmo Pro7 Days trial$89.991 Year
One-time1
  • Prmo Pro$299.99

Questions

Is Spool free?
Spool is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Prmo free?
Prmo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Spool or Prmo have ads?
Spool shows ads; Prmo does not.
Which is updated more often, Spool or Prmo?
Spool ships an update every 9 days, and Prmo every 2 weeks. Most recently, Spool was updated on October 1, 2026 and Prmo on September 28, 2026.

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