Comparison

Sparky vs Screen Time Control

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

Head to head
About

Sparky

Features
Read full description

Sparky makes screen time feel intentional, not forbidden. Do one small real-life win, earn Scroll Energy, then spend it through Time Bank to open the apps and categories you choose. Most blockers just say no. Timers nag you to stop at the worst moment. Sparky flips it around: do the thing first, then scroll on purpose, guilt-free. HOW IT WORKS 1. Pick your daily wins. Move, read, focus, drink water, wind down, or build your own. 2. Choose your App Gates. The apps and categories that pull you into autopilot wait behind a gentle gate. 3. Earn Scroll Energy. Every check-in tops up your bank. 4. Spend on purpose. Start Time Bank when you are ready, and the minutes you do not use come straight back when you stop early. WHY SPARKY IS DIFFERENT - A warm companion, never a nag. Sparky celebrates your wins instead of shaming your slips. - App Gates powered by Apple Screen Time, all on your device. - Daily budgets, Auto-Gates, and per-app limits you actually control. - Streaks, history, and gentle insights that show your time getting calmer. - Widgets, Shortcuts, and Live Activities for one-tap Time Bank. - Unlock new Sparky worlds and app icons as your streak grows. Sparky is for people who still love their favorite apps and just want a better trade: one small real win before the feed. PRO (OPTIONAL) The core loop is free, with no account to create. Upgrade to Pro to run more than five habits at once, plus advanced rules, deeper history, and export. Pro is available as a monthly or yearly subscription, or a one-time lifetime unlock. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and you can manage or cancel them anytime in your Apple Account settings. PRIVACY Your habits and Screen Time data stay on your device. Screen Time access is optional and you can change it anytime in Settings. Try one tiny win before your next scroll. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://hellosparky.app/privacy

About

Screen Time Control

Features
Read full description

Take back your screen time with ScreenPup, a playful focus blocker that helps you spend less time inside the apps you open by accident. Start focus sessions, block distracting apps, set daily limits, schedule screen-free windows, and track your progress with real usage reports. ScreenPup is built for people who want fewer compulsive pickups, less doomscrolling, better sleep, and more time back in their day. What You Get - Focus sessions that block distracting apps while you work, study, or reset - App Lock to limit how often certain apps can be opened each day - Daily time limits for the apps that drain the most attention - Smart schedules for mornings, deep work, wind-down, and bedtime - Limited unlocks and breaks so you can stay flexible without losing control - Real screen time reports with weekly and monthly trends - Focus score, streaks, pickups, and top app insights - Personalized onboarding based on your habits and goals - Reminders and progress signals to help you stay consistent Private & Secure ScreenPup uses your device's Screen Time and usage permissions to power blocking, schedules, and reports. Your focus controls are designed to run on your phone, and ScreenPup does not need access to the specific content you view inside apps. *Note: All features described above require a subscription. Terms of Use: https://www.screenpup.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.screenpup.app/privacy

Screenshots

Sparky4 screens
Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Screen Time Control at 16.4 against Sparky's 26.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Sparky sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and Screen Time Control sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sparky ships an update weekly, Screen Time Control every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference ยท 5 level
Sparky versus Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSparkyScreen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 4 days โ€” better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.016.4 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size64 MB57 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRussell OngSoleia Technologies (OPC) Private Limited

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Sparky

Subscriptions2
  • Sparky Pro Monthly$8.991 Month
  • Sparky Pro Yearly3 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • Sparky Pro Lifetime$129.99
2 purchases

Screen Time Control

Subscriptions2
  • ScreenPup Premium Monthly V23 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • ScreenPup Premium Yearly V23 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Sparky free?
Sparky 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 Sparky or Screen Time Control have ads?
Both Sparky and Screen Time Control show ads.
Which is updated more often, Sparky or Screen Time Control?
Sparky ships an update weekly, and Screen Time Control every 4 days. Most recently, Sparky was updated on November 9, 2026 and Screen Time Control on October 31, 2026.

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