Comparison

Delay vs Habits First

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

Head to head
About

Delay

Transform passive screen time into active learning. This app requires users to answer practice questions on chosen topics before accessing distracting applications. It integrates learning into daily phone usage through repetition and progress tracking.

Highlights
  • Answer practice questions to unlock apps
  • Customizable study topics
  • Integrated learning into daily routine
  • Progress tracking and analytics
  • Repetitive learning through earned screen time
  • Import personal study materials
Features
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Turn your screen time into study time. Delay makes you answer practice questions on topics you want to learn before you can open distracting apps like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. Instead of setting aside more time to study, learning becomes a transparent layer integrated into something you already do every day. EARN YOUR SCREEN TIME Before opening a blocked app, Delay gives you a few quick practice questions. Answer them correctly to earn access. Every time you reach for a distracting app, you get another small repetition of something you actually want to learn. LEARN WHAT YOU WANT Choose exactly what you want to study. Whether you're learning a language, preparing for an exam, memorizing important concepts, or building knowledge in a new subject, Delay turns your material into questions you can practice throughout the day. LEARN THROUGH REPETITION Delay integrates learning into moments that would otherwise be spent scrolling. Instead of relying on long study sessions, you repeatedly encounter your material throughout the day. Over time, those small repetitions add up. END THE DOOMSCROLL Your apps automatically lock again after your earned screen time expires. If you want to keep scrolling, you study again. This creates a simple cycle: learn, unlock, scroll, repeat. IMPORT YOUR STUDY MATERIAL Bring the material you already want to learn into Delay and turn it into practice questions. Keep different subjects organized and choose what you want to practice when unlocking your apps. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS See how much you've practiced, how consistently you're answering questions, and how your knowledge improves over time. The screen time you would have spent scrolling becomes measurable learning progress. SEAMLESS INTEGRATION Delay works directly with your apps so studying becomes part of your normal routine. Once it's set up, simply use your phone as usual. When you try to open a blocked app, Delay gives you your questions, you answer them, and you're right back in. MAKE SCREEN TIME USEFUL You’re already going to open your favorite apps throughout the day. Delay simply puts learning in between. Instead of finding more time to study, use the time and habits you already have. DOWNLOAD DELAY Delay requires a subscription to access certain features. Download Delay and start turning everyday screen time into learning time. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Habits First

This app blocks distracting applications until you complete your daily habits. It uses integrations with health trackers and other apps to automatically monitor your progress. Unlock your favorite apps by building healthier routines and reducing screen time.

Highlights
  • App blocking until habits are done
  • Integrates with Apple Health and trackers
  • Customizable habit goals
  • Built-in Pomodoro timer
  • Schedule-based blocking
  • Optional cross-device syncing
Features
Read full description

Do the thing, then scroll. Habits First is the most effective way to reduce your screen time - distracting apps stay blocked until your habits are done for the day. No accounts required and no subscriptions, forever. Willpower shouldn’t cost a monthly fee. HABITS SUPPORTED - Walk 10,000 steps, or any number you like - Work out 45 minutes - integrates with Apple Watch, WHOOP, Garmin, Oura, or any tracker - Meditate 10 minutes, from Calm, Headspace, Insight Timer, or any meditation app - Use an app you pick: read or use Duolingo for 20 minutes - Built in Pomodoro timer or manual habit check off - Review your Anki flashcards (Habits Pro) - Listen or read books on Audiobookshelf (Habits Pro) - Finish a game on Chess.com (Habits Pro) - Apple Shortcuts automations (Habits Pro) - More coming A block can ask for one habit, all of them, or any two of three. HOW IT WORKS Habits are automatically tracked via integrations such as with Apple Health. Apps you select are blocked until you finish your habits. When you're done, open the app to activate your unlock. WHY IT WORKS The idea is based off the Premack Principle - things you do often can help reinforce things that you do rarely. By habit stacking a difficult habit before an app you often use, you also hijack the addictive nature of distracting apps and turn that motivation towards your daily habits. WHEN IT APPLIES All day until your habits are done, on a schedule, only in certain places, or near a device you pick. Habits First helps you wake up into a calm phone screen, only unlocked after you finish your most important habits of the day. PRICING This app will never have a subscription fee. The core app is free forever: Apple Health goals, app timers, schedules, places, commitment locks, and as many blocks as you like. One small one-time purchase adds habit widgets and the extra integrations. More will be added in the future (feel free to request them) SYNCING You can make an account if you would like to sync your habits and blocks across devices. This is not required. Created by @reysu on YouTube

Screenshots

Delay4 screens
Habits First4 screens

Verdict

The call

Delay and Habits First are too close to call on the numbers: across 10 compared parameters — price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Delay sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Habits First sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Habits First holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 106 and 196 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 87% of Delay's written reviews are positive against 95% of Habits First's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Delay ships an update every 5 days, Habits First weekly. Both last shipped on November 8, 2026.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Delay versus Habits First: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDelayHabits First
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (106 ratings)4.9 (196 ratings) — better
Positive reviews87.0% of reviews94.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings106196 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size90 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFocus Labs LLC (US)Eric Su

Customer experience

Delay

All ratings106 ratings
Positive93.4%
Neutral1.9%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews54 reviews
Positive87.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative13.0%

Habits First

All ratings196 ratings
Positive98.0%
Neutral0.5%
Negative1.5%
Written reviews99 reviews
Positive94.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative2.0%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Delay

Subscriptions4
  • Delay - Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Delay - Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Delay - Family Monthly$17.991 Month
Show 1 more
  • Delay - Yearly3 Days trial$59.991 Year
1 purchases

Habits First

One-time1
  • Habits Pro$9.99

Questions

Is Delay free?
Delay is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Habits First free?
Habits First is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Delay or Habits First?
Habits First is rated higher. Delay averages 4.7 out of 5 from 106 ratings, while Habits First averages 4.9 from 196 ratings.
Do Delay or Habits First have ads?
Neither Delay nor Habits First shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Delay or Habits First?
Delay ships an update every 5 days, and Habits First weekly. Most recently, Delay was updated on November 8, 2026 and Habits First on November 8, 2026.

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