Screen Time Learning Challenge vs MathGate
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Screen Time Learning Challenge
This app helps families establish a healthy routine by requiring children to complete educational challenges before accessing games or other apps. Parents can customize blocked apps, set learning goals, and schedule screen time. A free preview mode is available to explore core features.
- Educational challenges for screen time access
- Customizable blocked apps and categories
- Math and spelling learning modules
- Parent-controlled challenge goals and difficulty
- Scheduled screen time (bedtime, homework)
- Progress tracking for learning achievements
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Screen Time Learning Challenge Turn screen time into learning time. Screen Time Learning Challenge lets parents choose which apps and categories to limit, then gives kids a simple way to earn access by completing math or spelling practice. Parents choose the learning activity, difficulty, number of correct answers, schedules, and apps to protect. Kids complete their challenge, make progress toward their goal, and unlock their apps when they finish. Math, Spelling, or Both Choose the type of learning that works best for your child. Math includes: Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division Mixed operations Facts through 12 Customizable challenge lengths Spelling lets parents create custom word lists using the exact words their child is learning. Spelling includes: Up to 50 custom spelling words Typed answers Word replay Built-in Natural Voice Multiple Natural Voice options Optional Apple Voice Adjustable challenge length Parents can choose math, spelling, or a combination of both. Natural Voice for Spelling Spelling practice includes Natural Voice for clearer, more natural-sounding word playback. Kids can hear each spelling word, replay it when needed, and practice with a voice designed to make listening and learning more comfortable. Control Which Apps Unlock Parents select individual apps or entire categories such as games, social media, and video. Once a learning challenge is completed, protected apps can unlock according to the rules you choose. Flexible Screen Time Controls Manual Shield Lock selected apps whenever you choose. Bedtime Create a strict bedtime schedule where protected apps remain unavailable even if a learning challenge is completed. Homework / Focus Time Create protected study periods where distracting apps stay locked. Re-Lock Schedules Automatically require another learning challenge after a selected amount of time. Parent Controls Parents can manage: Math, spelling, or both Math operations and difficulty Number of correct answers required Custom spelling lists Natural Voice selection Apps and categories to protect Bedtime schedules Homework / Focus schedules Re-Lock timing Device protection settings A secure Parent PIN helps prevent children from changing settings. Remote Management Premium Remote Management lets a parent configure a child’s settings from another device. Supported settings include: Learning activity Challenge length Math settings Spelling words Schedules Protected apps and categories Device Controls Manual Shield Device Controls Quick access to commonly used Screen Time protections helps parents manage settings such as: App installation App deletion In-app purchases Account changes Passcode changes Explicit content Kid-Friendly Experience Designed to keep practice simple and encouraging: Clear progress toward the unlock goal Custom math keypad Keyboard-friendly spelling input Optional sound effects Streak celebrations Positive feedback Completion celebrations Saved math best times Guided Parent Setup A step-by-step setup process helps parents create a PIN, authorize Screen Time, choose protected apps, select learning activities, configure schedules, and test that app locking and unlocking works. Subscription A subscription provides access to the complete Screen Time Learning Challenge experience. Eligible new subscribers may receive an introductory free trial through the App Store. Trial availability and length are shown before purchase. Subscriptions are managed through your Apple ID and can be canceled through Apple Subscriptions. Requirements Works on iPhone and iPad Requires iOS 18 or later Apple Screen Time authorization is required Parental setup is required Privacy Policy: https://screentimelearning.app/privacy-policy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula
MathGate
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Lock the apps your kids love until the math is done. MathGate puts Apple's Screen Time shield over the apps you choose. Your child solves a short streak of math problems to earn a timed unlock, then the lock comes back on its own. One purchase, no subscription, no account, nothing to manage after setup. WHY PARENTS PICK MATHGATE • Set it once and forget it. The shield re-locks automatically when earned time runs out. • Pay $4.99 one time for Lifetime Unlock. No monthly fees, ever. Family Sharing supported. • No account, no sign-in, no data leaves the device. • Built on Apple's Screen Time technology, so the lock holds even if MathGate is closed or force quit. • No nagging and no timers to police. Screen time has to be earned. REAL MATH PRACTICE, A FEW MINUTES AT A TIME • Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division • Times tables, math facts, and mental math • Difficulty by grade level, from early elementary through middle school • Every unlock is a mini practice session, so idle screen time turns into daily review HOW IT WORKS 1. Create a parent PIN and pick the apps or categories to lock 2. Choose the problem types, difficulty, and how many correct answers in a row it takes 3. Your child solves the streak and earns a set amount of screen time 4. When time is up the shield returns and the next unlock takes another round of math FREE AND LIFETIME The free version locks up to 3 apps with every problem type and difficulty, so you can try the full loop before you buy. Lifetime Unlock is a single $4.99 purchase that opens unlimited apps, whole categories and Block Everything, for every device in your family. A screen time app blocker and a math tutor in one. Works on iPhone and iPad. Requires Screen Time to be enabled on the child's device.
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Verdict
Screen Time Learning Challenge and MathGate 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
Both are free to download. Screen Time Learning Challenge sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and MathGate sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Screen Time Learning Challenge ships an update every 2 weeks, MathGate fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Screen Time Learning Challenge | MathGate |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 498 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Domenic Talese | Eric Fortuna |
In-app purchases
Screen Time Learning Challenge
- Screen Time Math Challenge7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- STMC Premium Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
- STMC Base Yearly7 Days trial$34.991 Year
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- STMC Premium Yearly7 Days trial$79.991 Year
MathGate
- Lifetime Unlock$4.99
Questions
Is Screen Time Learning Challenge free?
Is MathGate free?
Do Screen Time Learning Challenge or MathGate have ads?
Which is updated more often, Screen Time Learning Challenge or MathGate?
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