Comparison

CommitNow vs Core Time

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

Head to head
About

CommitNow

Features
Read full description

Stop Negotiating. Start Executing. "Build unbreakable habits with our powerful commitment tracking app. Set goals, stay accountable, and watch your dedication pay off. New Apple Watch companion keeps you motivated on-the-go, while flexible monthly subscriptions and shareable proof of achievements make staying committed easier than ever." Most productivity apps suggest you work. CommitNow makes it impossible not to. CommitNow is a hyper-focus enforcement tool designed for high performers, chronic procrastinators, and anyone tired of breaking promises to themselves. We replace endless, ignored to-do lists with a single, visceral countdown that demands your attention. WHY IT WORKS: VISCERAL URGENCY The interface shifts from calm, cool tones to a pulsing, urgent red as your deadline approaches. You don't just see the time passing—you feel the pressure to perform. CRITICAL ALERTS (Pro) The "Nuclear Option" for accountability. If you fail a commitment, the alarm is designed to get your attention. Failure is audible. You literally cannot ignore your deadline. LIVE ACTIVITIES & DYNAMIC ISLAND Keep your deadline front and center on your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island. Your commitment follows you everywhere, preventing "doomscrolling" and keeping you locked into your flow state. CONTROL CENTER & WIDGETS Start a deep work session in seconds directly from your Control Center (iOS 18) or Home Screen widgets. Friction-free focus entry for maximum efficiency. ACCOUNTABILITY LOG A raw, unfiltered history of your wins and losses. Track your streak and share your success cards on social media to build social pressure and celebrate your discipline. CORE FEATURES: Singular Focus Engine: One task. One goal. Zero distractions. Interactive Widgets: Beautiful Home Screen tracking at a glance. Strict "No Pause" Philosophy: Once you commit, you finish. No excuses. Dopamine-Rich UI: Stunning success animations and premium haptic feedback. Minimalist Design: Gesture-based interface built for speed. PRICING: CommitNow offers a generous free tier to get you started (up to 3 goals). Upgrade to Pro for Unlimited Goals, Critical Alerts, and Custom App Icons. Stop negotiating. Start committing. Download CommitNow today. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Core Time

This app provides a strict approach to blocking distracting applications and websites, helping users regain focus and manage screen time. It offers customizable lock durations and schedules, ensuring boundaries are enforced without negotiation.

Highlights
  • Strict app blocking
  • Customizable lock durations
  • Automatic scheduling
  • Cold turkey focus mode
  • Dopamine detox support
  • ADHD-friendly focus aid
  • One-tap recovery
Features
Read full description

Core Time is a strict app blocker and screen time app lock for people who need more than a gentle reminder. Block apps cold turkey, protect your focus, and stop losing hours to social media, dopamine loops, and phone addiction. If Screen Time limits are too easy to ignore, Core Time gives you a harder reset. Choose the apps and websites that pull you away from what matters, set your lock duration or schedule, and let Core Time enforce the boundary until time is up. ▶ STRICT APP BLOCKER Select distracting apps, set a timer, and tap Lock Now. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, Reddit, games, and other dopamine traps stay blocked while your lock is active. ▶ SCREEN TIME APP LOCK Use Core Time as a stronger screen time blocker when default limits are not enough. Create hard app limits for study, deep work, bedtime, weekends, or any moment when one more scroll can ruin your day. ▶ COLD TURKEY FOCUS No snooze. No soft warning. No willpower negotiation. Core Time is built for people who want a cold turkey app blocker that removes temptation instead of asking you to resist it. ▶ STUDY, EXAMS, AND DEEP WORK Start a lock before homework, exam prep, reading, writing, coding, or meetings. Keep your phone nearby without letting social media or games steal your focus. ▶ DOPAMINE DETOX AND DIGITAL DETOX Trying to break a scrolling habit? Use Core Time to block the apps that trigger quick dopamine hits and build a calmer digital routine. It is useful for a daily digital detox, a weekend reset, or a longer phone addiction recovery plan. ▶ AUTOMATIC SCHEDULES Set recurring locks for school hours, work blocks, family time, or sleep. Core Time can activate on your schedule so you do not need to decide again every day. ▶ ADHD-FRIENDLY FOCUS SUPPORT When impulse control is hard, a reminder is not enough. Core Time helps by removing the option to open the apps you already decided to avoid. ▶ NO WAY OUT DURING A LOCK During an active lock, selected apps and websites show a shield screen. Core Time uses Apple's Screen Time API and Family Controls framework so blocking runs on your device and stays private. ▶ ONE-TAP RECOVERY If something goes wrong, use Fix Now in Settings to reset Core Time to a clean state quickly. ▶ RECOMMENDED FOR • Students preparing for exams or homework • Professionals protecting deep work blocks • People with ADHD who need stronger focus boundaries • Anyone reducing phone addiction, doomscrolling, or social media overuse • Night owls who want to stop scrolling before bed • Parents who want a clear app blocking routine on their own device Core Time is not another reminder app. It is a strict app blocker, screen time blocker, app lock, focus timer, and digital detox tool for people who want their time back. Take back control of your phone. Download Core Time and start your next focus block today. ▶ USE CASES THAT MATCH REAL LIFE Use Core Time before a study session, during exam prep, while writing, when coding, during meetings, at the gym, or before sleep. If you keep opening the same apps without thinking, create a lock before the habit starts. ▶ WHY IT HELPS Core Time turns a vague intention into a real boundary. Instead of checking your phone, feeling guilty, and trying again tomorrow, you make one decision up front and let the app enforce it. ▶ BUILT FOR REPEAT ROUTINES The best results come from repeated locks: weekday work blocks, daily study sessions, lunch breaks without scrolling, and bedtime screen time limits. Start small, then make your focus routine automatic. ▶ SCREEN TIME CONTROL AND APP DETOX Use Core Time as screen time control when you need cold turkey blocking, app detox, a dopamine detox app, or a phone detox app. It works as a blocker for apps that interrupt study, deep work, sleep, and real life. Terms of Use (EULA): https://core-ground.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://core-ground.com/privacy

Screenshots

CommitNow4 screens
Core Time4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: CommitNow at every 3 days against Core Time's weekly. CommitNow also leads on iOS requirement (16.6 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. CommitNow sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Core Time sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CommitNow ships an update every 3 days, Core Time weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
CommitNow versus Core Time: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCommitNowCore Time
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.6 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEdward Lufadejucoreground

In-app purchases

3 purchases

CommitNow

Subscriptions2
  • CommitNow Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • CommitNow Pro Yearly$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • CommitNow Pro Lifetime$49.99
2 purchases

Core Time

Subscriptions2
  • Core Time Pro (Monthly)$6.991 Month
  • Core Time Pro (Annual)$49.991 Year

Questions

Is CommitNow free?
CommitNow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Core Time free?
Core Time is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do CommitNow or Core Time have ads?
Neither CommitNow nor Core Time shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CommitNow or Core Time?
CommitNow ships an update every 3 days, and Core Time weekly. Most recently, CommitNow was updated on September 15, 2026 and Core Time on October 1, 2026.

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