Comparison

StayGray vs WaitWhat

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

Head to head
About

StayGray

This app helps reduce screen time by automatically switching your device to grayscale. You can customize when color is allowed, set schedules, and track your progress in reducing usage.

Highlights
  • Automatic grayscale switching
  • Customizable color exceptions
  • Scheduled monochrome periods
  • Location-based color activation
  • Progress tracking for screen time
  • Color breaks for temporary color access
Read full description

StayGray automatically switches your iPhone to grayscale, so apps feel less magnetic and you scroll less. Your screen stays black and white by default, and you decide when color is allowed. WHY GRAYSCALE Colorful interfaces are built to grab your attention. Take the color away and the little “reward hit” gets weaker, which makes it easier to stop the endless checking without blocking any apps. CONTROL WHEN COLOR IS ALLOWED • Schedules: set work hours, evenings, or bedtime for monochrome • App exceptions: keep Maps, Camera, Photos, or any app in color • Locations: turn color on automatically at home, at work, or at the gym • Color breaks: switch to full color for a bit, then go back to gray automatically TRACK YOUR PROGRESS See how your habits change over time and estimate how much screen time you save by staying in black and white. PRIVACY FIRST No accounts. No ads. No tracking. StayGray does not collect, store, or transmit personal data. Privacy policy: https://www.staygray.app/privacy/en.html Terms: https://www.staygray.app/terms/en.html

About

WaitWhat

Features
Read full description

WaitWhat helps you break the loop of opening apps on autopilot. Instead of relying on willpower alone, WaitWhat adds a small moment between impulse and action. When you try to open a distracting app, you get a chance to pause, reflect, and decide more intentionally. Whether you want to reduce doomscrolling, stay focused during work, or simply feel more in control of your screen habits, WaitWhat helps you slow the moment down. With WaitWhat, you can: - Add a mindful pause before opening selected apps - Block distracting apps and websites - Set focus schedules for times when you want stronger boundaries - Use stricter modes to make impulsive openings less automatic - Track saved time, resisted impulses, and daily patterns - Unlock achievements as you build healthier habits Premium includes: - Website blocking - Focus schedules - Strict mode - Dark mode - Extended insights and history - Full achievement collection - Unlimited protected items WaitWhat is built for people who do not want a harsh blocker, but something more intentional: a tool that helps you notice the reflex before it takes over. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

StayGray4 screens
WaitWhat4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: StayGray at 18.0 against WaitWhat's 26.2. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. StayGray sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and WaitWhat sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $11.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StayGray ships an update fortnightly, WaitWhat every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
StayGray versus WaitWhat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStayGrayWaitWhat
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.0 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB7 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperMATTHIAS NEUWIRTHHenning Koetz

In-app purchases

3 purchases

StayGray

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$1.991 Month
  • StayGray Plus$8.991 Year
One-time1
  • StayGray Plus: Lifetime$24.99
1 purchases

WaitWhat

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Yearly$11.991 Year

Questions

Is StayGray free?
StayGray is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is WaitWhat free?
WaitWhat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do StayGray or WaitWhat have ads?
Neither StayGray nor WaitWhat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StayGray or WaitWhat?
StayGray ships an update fortnightly, and WaitWhat every 2 weeks. Most recently, StayGray was updated on October 31, 2026 and WaitWhat on October 31, 2026.

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