# Spool vs ReelBlock

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ReelBlock at none against Spool's 8. ReelBlock also leads on ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Spool sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. ReelBlock asks for nothing beyond the download.

Spool ships an update weekly, ReelBlock every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Spool | ReelBlock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (172 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spool-screen-time-control/id6749428484/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **172** | — |
| Positive reviews | 71.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 8 days |
| Monetization | Subscription | — |
| Size | 406 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Spooli Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1830399976) | [Elliot Reeve](https://appshunter.io/developer/6809204620) |

## 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 (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 |


### ReelBlock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reelblock/id6809204618)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Safari Extension

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Spool free?

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

### Is ReelBlock free?

ReelBlock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Spool or ReelBlock have ads?

Spool shows ads; ReelBlock does not.

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

Spool ships an update weekly, and ReelBlock every 8 days. Most recently, Spool was updated on October 22, 2026 and ReelBlock on October 18, 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.*