Comparison

Screen Time Control vs Scroll Patrol

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

Head to head
About

Screen Time Control

Read full description

SugarLock is the app lock for iPhone that makes screen time control rewarding. Unlike typical app blockers that just restrict access, SugarLock gamifies digital wellness by connecting your phone usage to physical activity. Lock apps you choose, unlock them by walking – it's that simple. Transform your iPhone into a minimalist phone that rewards healthy behavior instead of mindless scrolling. TWO WAYS TO LOCK APPS & BUILD BETTER HABITS Choose the quest mode that fits your lifestyle: FOOD QUEST MODE - Perfect for Meal-Based Routines • Take a photo of your meal to start a quest • Selected apps lock for 3-4 hours • Walk to progressively unlock each app • Recognizes 300+ foods with AI (pizza, salad, sushi, and more) • Flexible timing based on when you eat • Combines food awareness with post-meal activity Want to create a dumb phone experience after eating? Food Quest transforms your phone into a movement-driven device that only unlocks as you walk. DAILY QUEST MODE - Classic App Locker with a Twist • All selected apps automatically lock at midnight • Walk throughout the day to unlock them progressively • Each app has its own step goal • Hit your daily targets for full access • Perfect for building consistent routines • Traditional screen time control meets fitness gamification Daily Quest is the ultimate minimalist phone solution – your apps stay locked until you've earned them through movement. POWERFUL APP LOCK FEATURES Smart App Selection • Choose exactly which apps to lock (social media, games, news, etc.) • Premium: Unlimited app blocking • Works with any iPhone app Real-Time Tracking • HealthKit integration for accurate step counting • Live progress bars show unlock status • Quest history with statistics • 7-day activity charts • Current streak tracking You Stay in Control • Emergency override phrase for urgent access • Switch quest modes (24-hour cooldown prevents gaming the system) • Customize step goals per app • Full control over which apps to lock/unlock Food Recognition Technology • Built-in AI recognizes 300+ foods • Pizza, burgers, salads, sushi, tacos, and more • Food photos saved to your library for meal tracking • Optional feature (Daily Quest works without it) Beautiful Design • Clean, motivating interface • Animated progress indicators • Quest completion celebrations • Dark mode support • Intuitive onboarding WHY SUGARLOCK IS DIFFERENT Most app lockers and screen time control apps just block access. That's frustrating and often leads to disabling the blocker entirely. SugarLock flips the script: every app unlock is earned through physical activity. This creates positive reinforcement – you WANT to walk because it unlocks your apps. The result? Less phone addiction, more movement, better habits. It's the perfect balance between a minimalist phone experience and staying connected when you need to be. IDEAL FOR: Breaking phone addiction and doomscrolling Building a healthier relationship with your device Post-meal walking habits (great for digestion & wellness) Creating intentional "dumb phone" time Productivity and deep focus sessions Digital minimalism without going extreme Combining fitness goals with screen time management Anyone wanting an app locker that actually works PRIVACY & SECURITY Your data, your device, your control: • All data stored locally on your iPhone • No account required • No data collected or sold • HealthKit data never leaves your device • Photos saved to your library only • Complete transparency We don't track you, monitor you, or monetize your data. Period. HEALTHKIT INTEGRATION SugarLock reads your step count via Apple HealthKit to track quest progress and unlock apps. Your health data remains private on your device and is never shared with third parties. Terms of Use: https://rudeus.io/sugarlock/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://rudeus.io/sugarlock/privacy.html

About

Scroll Patrol

Earn screen time by completing physical exercises, tracked automatically via machine learning or synced from Apple Health. Users have full control over reward rates and app restrictions, with optional password protection for added self-control.

Highlights
  • Earn screen time through exercise
  • Automatic exercise tracking (ML)
  • Syncs with Apple Health
  • Customizable reward rates
  • App restriction options
  • Password protection for settings
  • No ads or subscriptions
Features
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Scroll Patrol puts the apps you lose hours to behind a workout. Pick the apps that pull you in. They stay locked until you have minutes to spend on them — and the only way to get minutes is to move. EARN TIME WITH YOUR BODY Push-ups, squats, jumping jacks and planks are counted by your camera, automatically, while you move. Prop your phone up, start a set, and watch the count climb. No wearable, no manual logging, no honour system. Prefer to walk? Scroll Patrol reads your steps and distance from Apple Health and turns them into minutes too. That happens in the background — no workout to start. SPEND IT WHERE IT MATTERS Earned minutes go into one balance. You decide which app gets them. Give Instagram fifteen minutes, keep the rest for later, or spend the lot in one go. MINUTES YOU ACTUALLY USED Time counts down while you are in the app, and stops when you leave it. Put your phone in your pocket and your minutes are still there when you come back. Every patrolled app shows how much is left, and warns you a minute before it locks. Adding time tops up what is already there rather than starting over. NO QUIZ. NO ACCOUNT. NO WAITING. No twenty-screen questionnaire, no "calculating your personalised plan", no email address. Three short screens and you are picking apps. You can be earning minutes within a minute of opening it for the first time. PRICED TO BE KEPT Apps in this category routinely ask $10-15 a month. Scroll Patrol is $2.99 a month with the first week free, $24.99 a year, or $49.99 once for life. Every version includes everything; there is no higher tier and nothing is held back. BUILT TO STAY ON YOUR PHONE No account, no sign-up, no server. Camera frames are analysed on device and never recorded, saved or sent anywhere. Your exercise history, your Health data and your app choices stay on your phone. Purchases go directly to Apple. We have nothing to sell because we collect nothing. Scroll Patrol uses Apple's Screen Time and Family Controls APIs to lock apps, and Apple Health to read steps and walking distance. Both require your permission, and both can be turned off at any time. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS Scroll Patrol Pro is $2.99 per month, which begins with a 7-day free trial, or $24.99 per year, or $49.99 as a one-time lifetime purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage or cancel in Settings inside the app, or in your Apple Account settings. Privacy policy: https://scroll-patrol.pages.dev/support#privacy Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Screen Time Control4 screens
Scroll Patrol4 screens

Verdict

The call

Screen Time Control and Scroll Patrol are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Screen Time Control sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Scroll Patrol sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Screen Time Control versus Scroll Patrol: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreen Time ControlScroll Patrol
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequency—Every 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTimothy SisonOuroboros Technologies, LLC

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Screen Time Control

Subscriptions2
  • SugarLock Premium Weekly3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • SugarLock Premium Yearly$19.991 Year
2 purchases

Scroll Patrol

Subscriptions1
  • Yearly$7.991 Year
One-time1
  • Scroll Patrol Pro Lifetime$14.99

Questions

Is Screen Time Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Scroll Patrol free?
Scroll Patrol is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Screen Time Control or Scroll Patrol have ads?
Neither Screen Time Control nor Scroll Patrol shows ads.

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