Comparison

PeerPause vs Grow a Tree

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

Head to head
About

PeerPause

This app helps you manage screen time by requiring a trusted friend to approve any extensions to your daily app limits. It prevents self-override of restrictions, fostering better digital habits.

Highlights
  • App blocking for social, video, games, and shopping
  • Daily app time limits
  • Time extension requests to a trusted friend
  • Buddy confirmation for limit changes
  • Streak tracking and improvement insights
  • No instant self-override
Features
Read full description

Screen time limits only work when you can't quietly undo them. PeerPause fixes that by putting one person you trust between you and the "just five more minutes" button. Set a daily limit for the apps that eat your day. When the time is gone, the app locks. If you genuinely need longer, you send a request to your Time Buddy — a friend, partner, or sibling who taps accept or deny. No secret override, no deleting the limit at 1am. HOW IT WORKS 1. Pick the app that distracts you most. 2. Set its daily limit. 3. Add a Time Buddy. 4. When you hit the limit, the app locks. 5. Ask for more time, with a note if you want. 6. Your Time Buddy decides. WHAT YOU GET • Blocking for social, video, game, dating, and shopping apps • Daily limits built on Apple's Screen Time • Time extension requests, answered by a real person • Buddy confirmation before a limit is changed or removed • Streaks and insights that show what's actually improving • No instant self-override when you hit the limit WHY A BUDDY BEATS WILLPOWER Every other blocker lets you turn it off. That is the whole problem — the moment you want to break the limit is exactly the moment you are least able to argue with yourself. Handing that one decision to someone else takes about two seconds and changes the outcome. Your Time Buddy is not a parent or a monitor. They see the app name, how much time you asked for, and any note you send. They cannot see your messages, your browsing, your photos, or what you do inside any app. Your Screen Time data stays on your device. BEING SOMEONE'S TIME BUDDY Answering requests for a friend costs nothing — install PeerPause, get added, and tap accept or deny when they ask. A PeerPause Pro subscription is what lets you create and manage your own limits. Pause first. Scroll less. Take your time back. TERMS OF USE https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Grow a Tree

Features
Read full description

Addicted to your phone? Can't focus on your work or studies? Grow a Tree is the ultimate, gamified solution to take back control of your time. The concept is simple: start a timer, put your phone down, and a virtual tree begins to grow. BUT beware... If you leave the app to scroll on social media, your tree will burn to ashes! CORE FEATURES: - Epic Collection: Unlock up to 100 unique trees categorized by rarity (Common, Rare, Epic, and Legendary). - Smart App Blocker: Select your most distracting apps (Instagram, TikTok, etc.) and block them during your focus sessions. - Flexible Modes: Choose between a classic Timer, Pomodoro sessions, or set daily limits and passive schedules. - STRICT Mode (Pro): For the ultimate procrastinators. Once activated, the "Give Up" button disappears. No cheating allowed, you must finish your session. - Rebirth System: Planted all 100 trees? Reset your forest to climb the global leaderboards and earn prestige! Put down your screen, beat your phone addiction, and build the most beautiful forest! Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

PeerPause4 screens
Grow a Tree4 screens

Verdict

The call

PeerPause and Grow a Tree are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. PeerPause sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Grow a Tree 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

PeerPause ships an update weekly, Grow a Tree every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
PeerPause versus Grow a Tree: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPeerPauseGrow a Tree
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 10 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size79 MB16 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperAndrei TarceTimothee VELLUET

In-app purchases

4 purchases

PeerPause

Subscriptions4
  • PeerPause Weekly$3.997 Days
  • PeerPause7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • PeerPause3 Days trial$24.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • PeerPause Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
2 purchases

Grow a Tree

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Plan Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Pro Plan Yearly3 Days trial$44.991 Year

Questions

Is PeerPause free?
PeerPause is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Grow a Tree free?
Grow a Tree is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PeerPause or Grow a Tree have ads?
Neither PeerPause nor Grow a Tree shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PeerPause or Grow a Tree?
PeerPause ships an update weekly, and Grow a Tree every 10 days. Most recently, PeerPause was updated on October 30, 2026 and Grow a Tree on October 31, 2026.

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