Comparison

MeBeforeApps vs ShutTimer

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

Head to head
About

MeBeforeApps

Features
Read full description

You don't need to quit. You just need to use less. MeBeforeApps shows a pause screen before you open distracting apps, helping turn unconscious scrolling into a conscious choice. Instead of forcing you to quit, it gives you one moment to decide. One mindful choice a day can become a calmer phone routine over time. Mindful digital detox, not through willpower alone, but through awareness. A realistic way to reduce screen time without going cold turkey. This app is for you if: - You keep watching Reels or Shorts before bed - You lose time to mindless social media without noticing - You need to focus for exams, work, or studying - Full blocking feels too extreme, but you still want less screen time - You want a digital wellbeing tool built around conscious choice How it works: (1) Pick apps you open too often and set your daily goal. Add Instagram, YouTube, or any habit app, and a pause screen appears each time you open it. (2) On the pause screen, choose consciously. - Hold On: go back to home - Just a Bit: choose to proceed for a limited time (3) Review your patterns in the timeline and app detail stats. See each app's 120-day heatmap, the last 7 days of real usage time, and Insight cards that show when you open apps most. Sleep Shield Auto-blocks apps during your sleep hours. Set your schedule, days, and grace period to protect your nights from late scrolling. Focus Mode Hard block your phone whenever you need to concentrate. Exclude up to 5 apps and activate Focus Mode when it matters. Starting and ending a session is free. Pro lets you exit instantly. Start for free - Block unlimited apps - Timeline tracking - Daily goal setting - App detail stats screen - Sleep Shield: auto-block apps during sleep hours - Focus Mode: hard block on demand, up to 5 excluded apps Build a calmer phone routine with Pro - Temporarily pause blocking for any app with one tap, auto-resumes in 60 minutes - Exit Focus Mode instantly - Use extended allow options - Customize each app's pause screen message - Customize each app's pause screen icon - Customize each app's pause screen background color (10 colors) - Choose a pre-open delay: 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, or 60 seconds Your custom settings are kept if Pro expires and restored automatically when you subscribe again. Your first step toward a calmer, more intentional phone life. Start with MeBeforeApps. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://kbpzdm.com/apps/mebeforeapps/privacy

About

ShutTimer

Features
Read full description

Alarm off, done? ShutTimer is different. From "wake up" to "get moving" — one seamless flow. ■ How It Works 1. Alarm rings 2. Complete a mission to dismiss (Math, Dictation, Photo, Shake, Rapid Tap) 3. Your pre-set routine starts automatically the moment the mission ends ■ What Makes ShutTimer Unique ▸ Alarm → Mission → Routine Auto-Start The only app that links waking up to executing. No gap, no decision fatigue. ▸ 60-Minute Visual Timer Designed with ADHD and time blindness in mind. See time, feel time. ▸ Built by a Father for His ADHD Son Real-life design. Real-life results. No impulse can beat the system. ■ Who It's For ・You wake up but can't get moving ・Snooze button owns your mornings ・You want your morning routine on autopilot ・ADHD makes mornings a battle ShutTimer is NOT a sleep tracking app. It's for everything that happens after you open your eyes.

Screenshots

MeBeforeApps4 screens
ShutTimer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ShutTimer at none against MeBeforeApps's 3. MeBeforeApps's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, ads 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. MeBeforeApps sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. ShutTimer asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MeBeforeApps ships an update every 9 days, ShutTimer weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
MeBeforeApps versus ShutTimer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMeBeforeAppsShutTimer
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysWeekly — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB156 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperKimgrowtheunju lee

In-app purchases

3 purchases

MeBeforeApps

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly$6.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$39.99
None

ShutTimer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MeBeforeApps free?
MeBeforeApps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ShutTimer free?
ShutTimer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do MeBeforeApps or ShutTimer have ads?
Both MeBeforeApps and ShutTimer show ads.
Which is updated more often, MeBeforeApps or ShutTimer?
MeBeforeApps ships an update every 9 days, and ShutTimer weekly. Most recently, MeBeforeApps was updated on October 18, 2026 and ShutTimer on October 2, 2026.

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