Comparison

Intentional vs Intentional

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

Head to head
About

Intentional

This app helps you regain control of your screen time by requiring you to justify opening blocked applications. An AI judge evaluates your arguments, granting temporary access if your reasoning is sound, or denying it to encourage mindful usage.

Highlights
  • AI-powered app blocking
  • Justify app access with AI judge
  • Customizable blocking schedules
  • Focus Score and progress tracking
  • Multiple AI judge personas
  • Emergency passes for urgent needs
Read full description

Intentional is the app blocker that actually works - because it makes you think before you scroll. Most blockers fail because they're too easy to bypass. Intentional is different. When you try to open a blocked app, you're met by an AI judge who makes you argue your case. Want to open Instagram right now? Tell the judge why. If your reason is solid, you get a few minutes. If not, you're denied, and most of the time, you'll realize you didn't really need it. HOW IT WORKS Set up your blocks: choose which apps to block, when to block them, and how strict you want the judge to be. When you try to open a blocked app, the Shield appears. You can argue your case, use an emergency pass, or stay focused. The AI Judge listens, evaluates your reasoning, and decides. Approved arguments unlock the app for a limited time. Denied arguments send you back to your day, usually realizing you didn't need it after all. CHOOSE YOUR JUDGE Pick the persona that fits your style: • Lawyer — logical, evidence-based, professional • Therapist — empathetic, curious, explores your patterns • Sergeant — strict, no excuses, high standards • Philosopher — big-picture thinker, questions your intentions TRACK YOUR PROGRESS Your Focus Score shows how intentional your day was. Watch your streaks grow, see which apps distract you most, and get insights on the time you've saved. The goal isn't perfection, it's awareness. KEY FEATURES • Smart Blocking — set schedules for specific days and hours • AI Negotiation — argue in text or voice to unlock for limited time • Difficulty Levels — Easy, Hard, or Hardcore blocking • Emergency Passes — limited-use passes for genuine urgency • Focus Score — a daily measure of your digital intentionality • 7-Day Streaks — build consistency over time • App Breakdown — see exactly which apps trigger you most • Deep Onboarding — the judge learns your habits, triggers, and goals from day one Intentional works with Screen Time to block apps at the system level, it can't be easily bypassed. Whether you're trying to cut back on TikTok, stop reflexively opening Twitter, or just be more present, Intentional gives you the friction that makes the difference. Your attention is yours. Use it intentionally. Terms of Use: https://intentionalai.github.io/Intentional/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://intentionalai.github.io/Intentional/privacy.html

About

Intentional

This app helps you regain control of your phone usage by introducing a brief pause before opening distracting applications. Set time limits and lock apps automatically when your session ends, breaking autopilot behavior without relying on willpower.

Highlights
  • Brief pause before app opening
  • Set time limits for apps
  • Automatic app locking
  • Game mode during countdowns
  • Session reminders
  • Background enforcement
  • Distraction-free design
Features
Read full description

Your phone takes hours from you every day. Intentional gives them back. Instead of blocking your apps, Intentional adds one simple step — a brief pause before you open them. That moment is enough to break the autopilot and put you back in control. Pick the apps that waste your time. Set a time limit. Use them on your terms. When your session ends, they lock again — no willpower required. Features include game mode during countdowns, session reminders, background enforcement, and a clean distraction-free design. Subscription required for core app features. The average person spends over 4 hours a day on their phone. Intentional can help you reclaim over 400 of those hours this year.

Screenshots

Intentional4 screens
Intentional4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Intentional at 5.0 against Intentional's 4.4. Intentional also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). Intentional's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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. Intentional sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Intentional sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Intentional holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Intentional ships an update monthly, Intentional every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Intentional versus Intentional: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIntentionalIntentional
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (7 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings7 — better3
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size79 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSHM Ventures LLCNicholas Kneafsey

Customer experience

Intentional

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Intentional

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Intentional

Subscriptions3
  • Intentional Pro$4.997 Days
  • Intentional Pro2 variants$6.991 Month
  • Intentional Pro2 variants$29.991 Year
1 purchases

Intentional

Subscriptions1
  • Intentional Monthly1 Month trial$2.991 Month

Questions

Is Intentional free?
Intentional is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Intentional free?
Intentional is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Intentional or Intentional?
Intentional is rated higher. Intentional averages 4.4 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Intentional averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Intentional or Intentional have ads?
Neither Intentional nor Intentional shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Intentional or Intentional?
Intentional ships an update monthly, and Intentional every 2 weeks. Most recently, Intentional was updated on October 1, 2026 and Intentional on October 16, 2026.

Other comparisons