Comparison

Modo vs Earned

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

Head to head
About

Modo

This app helps you regain control of your time by blocking distracting applications at the system level. Set focus sessions, choose difficulty levels, and schedule restrictions to improve productivity and digital wellbeing.

Highlights
  • System-level app blocking via Screen Time
  • Customizable focus sessions with timers
  • Adjustable difficulty levels for blocking
  • App and group selection for restrictions
  • Automated focus schedules
  • Reports on time saved and pickups avoided
Features
Read full description

Regain control of your time. Modo uses Apple’s Screen Time framework to block addicting apps. How it works Start a session, pick the apps you want blocked, choose a difficulty, and set the duration. While the session is active, selected apps are restricted at the system level. When time’s up, access is restored. Why Modo • Real, system-level blocking via Screen Time • Minimal, fast, and easy to use • Designed for deep work, study, and digital wellbeing Features • Focus Sessions: one tap to start, with live timer • Difficulty Levels: Easy / Medium / Hard / Blocked • App Selection: pick specific apps or groups to restrict • Schedules: automate focus by time and day (work, study, sleep) • Reports: see time saved, pickups avoided, and trends • Reminders: gentle prompts to start or resume focus Premium unlocks (freemium available) • Blocked difficulty (strict) • Unlimited schedules and app groups • Advanced reports and insights • Priority enhancements as we roll out new features Who it’s for • Students who want distraction-free study time • Professionals who need deep work blocks • Anyone building healthier phone habits Privacy Modo relies on Apple’s Screen Time APIs for blocking. You control which apps are restricted and when. We don’t collect your data. Notes • Requires enabling Screen Time/Family Controls permission to function. • Availability of certain restrictions may vary by app category and iOS version. Take back your time—one focused session at a time.

About

Earned

Features
Read full description

Every unlock begins with a commitment. Earned helps you break the scroll-first habit. Before you open the apps you love, you do something that matters — wash the dishes, read, work out, study — and only then earn a limited window of screen time. HOW IT WORKS 1. DECLARE A TASK Choose from dozens of built-in tasks across chores, wellness, learning, creativity, and more — or create your own with Earned Pro. 2. SET A TIMER Pick how long you'll focus. The timer cannot be paused or skipped. Your selected apps stay locked until time is up. 3. EARN YOUR APPS When the timer ends, you unlock a scroll window — screen time you've actually earned. When it's over, apps lock again until your next task. WHY EARNED IS DIFFERENT • Commitment-first — scrolling is the reward, not the default • No pause, no override — the timer runs until it's done • Real tasks, real streaks — build momentum day after day • Uses Apple's Screen Time APIs — locking happens on your device • Widgets & Live Activities — see your timer and progress at a glance FREE INCLUDES • Lock up to 3 apps • 1 app folder • Full task library • Streak tracking • Scroll window after each completed task EARNED PRO • Unlimited app locking • Unlimited app folders • Custom tasks & durations • Schedule tasks ahead of time • Full insights & streak history • Custom scroll window length PRIVACY Earned uses Apple's Screen Time and Family Controls frameworks to lock and unlock apps on your device. We do not sell your data. Screen Time usage data stays on your device. SUBSCRIPTIONS Earned Pro is available as a monthly or yearly auto-renewing subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation. Subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage subscriptions in Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://malachipatrick718.github.io/earned/privacy/

Screenshots

Modo4 screens
Earned4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Earned at every 2 days against Modo's every 3 weeks. Earned also leads on iOS requirement (16.1 vs 18.6). On price, ads, 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. Modo sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and Earned sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Modo ships an update every 3 weeks, Earned every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Modo versus Earned: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterModoEarned
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.616.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlejandro Reyes BradfordMalachi Patrick

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Modo

Subscriptions2
  • Modo Premium Monthly$8.991 Month
  • Modo Premium Annual$69.991 Year
2 purchases

Earned

Subscriptions2
  • Earned Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Earned Pro Yearly$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Modo free?
Modo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Earned free?
Earned is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Modo or Earned have ads?
Neither Modo nor Earned shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Modo or Earned?
Modo ships an update every 3 weeks, and Earned every 2 days. Most recently, Modo was updated on October 3, 2026 and Earned on October 1, 2026.

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