# CardStar vs Screen Time Control

The clearest difference is update cadence: Screen Time Control at every 3 days against CardStar's every 9 days. Screen Time Control also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CardStar sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Screen Time Control sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

CardStar ships an update every 9 days, Screen Time Control every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CardStar | Screen Time Control |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-control-vow/id6760956693/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **1** |
| Positive reviews | — | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | — | Subscription |
| Size | 3 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Wolfram Wacker](https://appshunter.io/developer/1843968515) | [Kai Chi Tsao](https://appshunter.io/developer/1299477756) |

## What reviewers say

### CardStar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cardstar/id6756068591)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CardStar Pro | $0.99 | one-time |


### Screen Time Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-control-vow/id6760956693)

This app helps you reclaim your time by blocking distracting applications and categories. Set daily goals, start focus sessions, and build streaks to protect your attention and spend more time on what matters.

**Highlights:** Set daily time goals, Block distracting apps and categories, Start focus sessions, Build streaks for momentum, Track progress and reclaim time, Create boundaries between impulse and intention

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Vow Annual | $19.99 | per year |
| Vow Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CardStar free?

CardStar is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Screen Time Control free?

Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do CardStar or Screen Time Control have ads?

Neither CardStar nor Screen Time Control shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CardStar or Screen Time Control?

CardStar ships an update every 9 days, and Screen Time Control every 3 days. Most recently, CardStar was updated on October 23, 2026 and Screen Time Control on October 9, 2026.

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