Comparison

RoutineGate vs Serene

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

Head to head
About

RoutineGate

Features
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RoutineGate helps you create focused time using Screen Time by limiting selected apps, categories, and websites. If you keep opening things β€œjust for a second,” set simple time rules and stay on track. β–  What you can do β€’ Choose apps, categories, and websites to block β€’ See your current status and time remaining on the Home screen β–  Two ways to block β€’ Schedule Blocksβ†’Set days and start/end time to block during specific time windows. β€’ Timer Blocksβ†’Set a daily total limit (minutes) and block after you reach it. β–  Unlock & pause (behavior depends on the mode) β€’ Allow immediate unlock, unlock after a waiting time, or disallow unlock β€’ Pick the intensity that fits your routine. β–  Premium (auto-renewable subscription) β€’ Monthly / yearly plans β€’ Includes stronger focus modes and enhanced anti-bypass features (within iOS limitations). β€’ Pricing, billing, and free-trial availability follow what’s shown in the App Store and your settings. β€’ Manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. β–  Languages β€’ Japanese / English (switch in Settings; follows device language if not selected) β–  Important note β€’ Blocking/unlocking behavior depends on iOS and Screen Time permission. Some features require permission to work. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Subscription Terms: https://sites.google.com/view/routinegate/terms Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/routinegate/privacy-policy Requires iOS / iPadOS 17 or later.

About

Serene

Features
Read full description

Build calmer boundaries around distracting apps, websites, and adult content with Serene. Serene is an iPhone app blocker for people who want focus without shame, noise, or all-or-nothing rules. Create reusable blocks, schedule them for work, sleep, study, weekends, or custom routines, and let Apple's Screen Time controls help protect your attention. WHY SERENE - Block distracting apps, app categories, and adult web content - Create reusable schedules for work, weekdays, weekends, overnight, or custom routines - Choose Strict, Limited Access, or Allow Ignore for each block - Allow short, timed access without deleting your whole boundary - Keep your setup calm, private, and local to your iPhone BUILT FOR REAL LIFE Most blockers are all-or-nothing. Serene lets you choose the level of protection that matches the moment. Strict keeps the boundary in place until the block ends. Limited Access gives you a few short uses per day. Allow Ignore lets you continue after a deliberate confirmation. USE SERENE FOR - Social media and short-form video - Games and entertainment apps - Adult websites - Work and study focus - Sleep routines and late-night scrolling - Digital detox days PRIVATE BY DESIGN Serene uses Apple's Screen Time, Family Controls, Managed Settings, and Device Activity APIs to apply restrictions on your iPhone. Your selected apps and categories stay protected by Apple's privacy system; Serene stores only the local choices needed to apply your blocks. Create your first block and make your iPhone feel quieter today. Privacy Policy: https://llenyador.github.io/serene/privacy.html Terms of Use: https://llenyador.github.io/serene/terms.html

Screenshots

RoutineGate4 screens
Serene4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. RoutineGate sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and Serene sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RoutineGate ships an update every 3 days, Serene monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and August 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
RoutineGate versus Serene: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRoutineGateSerene
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 days β€” betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 β€” better26.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size39 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSORACRAFTLABAitor Salvador

In-app purchases

2 purchases

RoutineGate

Subscriptions2
  • Premium (Monthly)$8.991 Month
  • Premium (Yearly)7 Days trial$49.991 Year
2 purchases

Serene

Subscriptions2
  • Monatlich Pro$2.991 Month
  • JΓ€hrlich Pro$17.991 Year

Questions

Is RoutineGate free?
RoutineGate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Serene free?
Serene is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do RoutineGate or Serene have ads?
Neither RoutineGate nor Serene shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RoutineGate or Serene?
RoutineGate ships an update every 3 days, and Serene monthly. Most recently, RoutineGate was updated on September 20, 2026 and Serene on August 29, 2026.

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