# Gentle Screen Time vs SelfBlock

The clearest difference is update cadence: Gentle Screen Time at weekly against SelfBlock's monthly. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Gentle Screen Time sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days 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.

Gentle Screen Time ships an update weekly, SelfBlock monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Gentle Screen Time | SelfBlock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gentle-screen-time/id6755485089/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 8 MB | 58 MB |
| Requires iOS | **18.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Joseph Casey](https://appshunter.io/developer/1697783959) | [ismail Hakki Palali](https://appshunter.io/developer/1653363899) |

## What reviewers say

### Gentle Screen Time

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gentle-screen-time/id6755485089)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| One Week Subscription | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Monthly Family Plan | $4.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly Family Subscription | $99.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium | $74.99 | one-time |


### SelfBlock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/selfblock-screen-time-buddy/id6757798472)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Monthly | $4.49 | per month |
| Pro Yearly | $27.49 | per year |
| Pro Lifetime | $82.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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 weekly, and SelfBlock monthly. Most recently, Gentle Screen Time was updated on October 24, 2026 and SelfBlock on October 5, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*