PeerPause vs Screen Time Control
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PeerPause
This app helps you stick to your screen time limits by involving a trusted friend. When your time is up, it blocks apps, and you must ask your 'Time Buddy' for more time, adding social accountability to break scrolling habits.
- App blocking that enforces limits
- Real-time accountability with a Time Buddy
- Request additional screen time
- Approval required for limit changes
- No easy self-override options
- Private by design for user data
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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/
Screen Time Control
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Take back your screen time with ScreenPup, a playful focus blocker that helps you spend less time inside the apps you open by accident. Start focus sessions, block distracting apps, set daily limits, schedule screen-free windows, and track your progress with real usage reports. ScreenPup is built for people who want fewer compulsive pickups, less doomscrolling, better sleep, and more time back in their day. What You Get - Focus sessions that block distracting apps while you work, study, or reset - App Lock to limit how often certain apps can be opened each day - Daily time limits for the apps that drain the most attention - Smart schedules for mornings, deep work, wind-down, and bedtime - Limited unlocks and breaks so you can stay flexible without losing control - Real screen time reports with weekly and monthly trends - Focus score, streaks, pickups, and top app insights - Personalized onboarding based on your habits and goals - Reminders and progress signals to help you stay consistent Private & Secure ScreenPup uses your device's Screen Time and usage permissions to power blocking, schedules, and reports. Your focus controls are designed to run on your phone, and ScreenPup does not need access to the specific content you view inside apps. *Note: All features described above require a subscription. Terms of Use: https://www.screenpup.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.screenpup.app/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: PeerPause at none against Screen Time Control's shown. Screen Time Control's advantage is iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.0). 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
Both are free to download. PeerPause sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Screen Time Control sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PeerPause | Screen Time Control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days | Every 4 days |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 16.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 100 MB | 57 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Andrei Tarce | Soleia Technologies (OPC) Private Limited |
In-app purchases
PeerPause
- PeerPause Weekly$3.997 Days
- PeerPause3 Days trial$5.991 Month
- PeerPause3 Days trial$24.991 Year
Screen Time Control
- ScreenPup Premium Monthly V23 Days trial$9.991 Month
- ScreenPup Premium Yearly V23 Days trial$39.991 Year
Questions
Is PeerPause free?
Is Screen Time Control free?
Do PeerPause or Screen Time Control have ads?
Which is updated more often, PeerPause or Screen Time Control?
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