Comparison

Gentle Screen Time vs SelfBlock

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

Head to head
About

Gentle Screen Time

This app helps families establish healthier screen time habits by wrapping addictive apps in timed sessions. It introduces a rhythm of usage and rest without surveillance or negotiation, allowing intentional app engagement.

Highlights
  • Timed app sessions with beginnings and ends
  • Automatic app locking after sessions
  • Intentional app opening friction
  • Remote family management
  • Customizable session and rest lengths
  • No content monitoring or surveillance
Features
Read full description

Most screen time apps work by capping you. They set hard limits, block apps for the rest of the day, and leave you locked out the moment you hit a number. Gentle works differently. There are no usage limits and no permanent blocks. You move through a rhythm of sessions and rests, and your total screen time drops, often dramatically, without anything being capped or taken away for good. Here's how it works. You start a session and have full, unlimited access to everything on your phone. When the session ends, a short rest begins, a brief pause where your controlled apps become unavailable for a few minutes. When the rest ends, your apps return, ready for your next session. No daily cutoffs. No "you're out of time." Just a gentle in-and-out rhythm that adds up to far less screen time. Gentle is for people who've tried strict limits and bounced off them. If hitting a wall every day has never worked, a gentle rhythm of sessions and rests might. Use everything you love, in a calmer cadence. Lower your screen time. No limits, no daily cutoffs, just a gentler rhythm. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.gentlescreentime.app/privacy

About

SelfBlock

Features
Read full description

Every blocker fails the same way: you turn it off. SelfBlock doesn't let you. When you try to open a blocked app, a friend gets the request — and they decide. No friend available? Ask the anonymous community instead. Someone always answers. ► BUDDY SYSTEM When you try to open a blocked app, your buddy gets a request. They set the time and decide for you. They can respond instantly from a notification or Apple Watch. ► COMMUNITY MODE Don't want to assign a friend? Get anonymous support from the community. A random user reviews your request. Your identity stays hidden. ► 5 BLOCKING MODES – Full Block: Completely prevent app access – Schedule: Auto-block during work, study, or sleep hours – Usage Limit: Set daily time limits per app – Open Limit: Control how many times you open an app – Solo Mode: Manage with your own willpower ► BLOCK ANY APP Block YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, X (Twitter), Facebook, Reddit, WhatsApp, Discord and any distracting app or website. ► LIVE FOCUS TRACKING – Daily focus moment counter and day streak – Weekly report with progress summary – Daily check-in to track your mood – Home screen widgets and Live Activity support ► APPLE WATCH Approve or reject requests from your wrist. Track focus stats right from your watch face. ► CUSTOM SHIELD THEMES Personalize your block screen with 6 themes and custom colors. ► STRICT MODE Prevent bypassing blocks with PIN code, wait timer, or time lock. Extra protection options: block app installs, deletions, and in-app purchases. ► PRIVACY FIRST SelfBlock uses Apple's Screen Time API (Family Controls). Your data stays on your device. No tracking, no ads. ► FREE TO START Download free and start using right away. Go Pro for unlimited buddy and community mode, custom themes, weekly reports, strict mode, and more. SelfBlock works as a screen time blocker, app blocker, phone addiction tool, digital detox app, focus timer, social media blocker, dopamine detox aid, website blocker, app lock, and productivity tool. Compatible with Apple Watch and Home Screen widgets. Terms of Use: https://ismailpalalii.github.io/selfblock-site/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://ismailpalalii.github.io/selfblock-site/privacy.html

Screenshots

Gentle Screen Time4 screens
SelfBlock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Gentle Screen Time at every 5 days against SelfBlock's monthly. 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. Gentle Screen Time sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and SelfBlock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Gentle Screen Time ships an update every 5 days, SelfBlock monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 13, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Gentle Screen Time versus SelfBlock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGentle Screen TimeSelfBlock
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS18.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB58 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMinimal Applications LLCismail Hakki Palali

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Gentle Screen Time

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly Subscription$3.991 Month
  • Monthly Family Plan7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription$29.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly Family Subscription7 Days trial$99.991 Year
3 purchases

SelfBlock

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$4.491 Month
  • Pro Yearly3 Days trial$27.491 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$82.99

Questions

Is Gentle Screen Time free?
Gentle Screen Time is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SelfBlock free?
SelfBlock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Gentle Screen Time or SelfBlock have ads?
Neither Gentle Screen Time nor SelfBlock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Gentle Screen Time or SelfBlock?
Gentle Screen Time ships an update every 5 days, and SelfBlock monthly. Most recently, Gentle Screen Time was updated on September 13, 2026 and SelfBlock on September 17, 2026.

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