Comparison

HabitUnlock vs Exerscroll Screen Time Control

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

Head to head
About

HabitUnlock

This app turns screen time into a reward for physical activity. Block distracting apps and earn your access back by completing various exercises, building streaks, and achieving goals. It's designed for those who need structure and want to break unhealthy digital habits.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps
  • Earn screen time through exercise
  • Track steps, push-ups, squats, and more
  • HealthKit integration for automatic step tracking
  • Deep Lock mode for maximum commitment
  • Gamified streaks and achievements
  • Widgets and Live Activities for progress tracking
Features
Read full description

A free app blocker that unlocks with movement: block 1 app or category, then walk or do push-ups to open it. No account, no ads. FREE: block an app or category behind real movement · blocking schedules (up to 8) · streak tracking with a monthly freeze. No account, no ads. HOW IT WORKS • Choose which apps or categories to block • Pick how you will earn them back: Walking, Push-Ups, or Guided Breathing • Complete the activity to unlock your apps • Build streaks and earn achievements Unlike screen time apps that just block your phone and rely on willpower, HabitUnlock turns the problem into a game. Want to scroll? Earn it first. Every unlock starts with movement — and that small shift changes everything. THE THREE WAYS TO UNLOCK • Walking — step-based, counted automatically • Push-Ups — timer-based, with live progress • Guided Breathing — a short breathing exercise when movement is not an option Three activities you will finish beat a long menu you never open. SMART BLOCKING • Block specific apps or entire categories • Up to 8 blocking schedules for focus time • Deep Lock mode for maximum commitment — no one-tap ignore • Emergency override with limited weekly uses APPLE HEALTH • Reads your step count so Walking completes on its own • Step data is processed on your device • Optional — decline it and the other activities still work BUILT FOR BRAINS THAT NEED STRUCTURE Many people who struggle with phone habits find external structure easier than willpower — and that is what HabitUnlock provides. Instead of fighting the urge to scroll, channel it: your phone becomes a reward for movement, not a source of guilt. STREAKS & ACHIEVEMENTS • Daily streaks with fire animations • Achievement badges for milestones • Share cards to show your progress WIDGETS & LIVE ACTIVITIES • Home screen widgets show your progress • Live Activity during activities • Dynamic Island countdown WHO IT'S FOR • Doom scrollers who want to break the cycle • Students who need to focus during exam season • People with ADHD looking for structure and accountability • Professionals who want to reclaim productive hours • Parents who want to control their own screen time PRIVACY • No ads. Your data is never sold. • Usage analytics can be turned off any time in Settings • Step data read from Apple Health is processed on your device • No account required — ever FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: Is HabitUnlock free? A: Core features are free — block 1 app and set up to 3 daily habits. Upgrade to Pro for unlimited habits, unlimited blocked apps, and Deep Lock mode. Q: Which activities can I use? A: Walking, Push-Ups, and Guided Breathing. Q: Does it track my fitness data? A: HabitUnlock reads your step count from Apple Health so Walking can complete automatically. That step data is processed on your device. Q: Does it work without internet? A: Yes. Blocking, activity tracking, and unlocking work offline. Internet is only needed for subscription management. Replace mindless scrolling with movement. Build habits that stick. HABITUNLOCK PRO • Unlimited habits • Unlimited blocked apps • Deep Lock mode • Streak freezes to protect your progress • Priority support HabitUnlock Pro is an auto-renewing subscription with a 7-day free trial. The available plans and the current price in your currency are shown in the app before you confirm. Payment charged to your Apple ID at confirmation. Subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled 24 hours before the period ends. Manage in Settings > Apple ID. Privacy Policy: https://www.habbitunlock.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.habbitunlock.com/terms

About

Exerscroll Screen Time Control

This app transforms phone usage by requiring physical exercise to unlock app minutes. Instead of mindless scrolling, users perform exercises like push-ups and squats to earn back their phone time, promoting both fitness and reduced screen addiction.

Highlights
  • Exercise-based app unlocks
  • Smart blocker for chosen apps
  • Customizable reps-to-minutes conversion
  • Progress tracking for minutes and streaks
  • Gamified levels and badges
  • Integrates with iOS Screen Time
Read full description

Stop scrolling. Start moving. Exerscroll is the screen time control app that makes you earn every minute of phone time with real movement. Push-ups, squats, lunges, jumping jacks — reps unlock minutes. No willpower required. You know the feeling. You picked up your phone for one quick thing and twenty minutes vanished into TikTok, Instagram, or Reels. Doomscrolling won. Again. Exerscroll changes the trade. Want to open a distracting app? Move first. The friction is the point — and so is the fitness. How Exerscroll works • Pick the apps that steal your time • Lock them behind exercise with Screen Time controls • Bank minutes by doing push-ups, squats, lunges, or jumping jacks • Unlock only what you've earned • Watch your reps, streaks, and saved minutes climb Why Exerscroll beats a basic blocker A timer can be dismissed. Willpower runs out by noon. Exerscroll adds the one thing every other screen time app is missing — a real cost. You don't just lock the app, you have to earn it back. So either you scroll less, or you get fitter. Both work. Features • Exercise-based app unlocks: push-ups, squats, lunges, jumping jacks (more coming) • Smart blocker for social media and any app you choose • Reps-to-minutes conversion you control • Progress tracking: minutes earned, streaks, milestones • Gamified levels and badges to keep momentum • Works with iOS Screen Time controls Built for people who want to • Quit doomscrolling and brainrot • Cut TikTok, Instagram, and Reels down to size • Beat phone addiction • Build focus and self-control • Start a dopamine detox • Live the "dumb phone" mindset without ditching the smartphone • Replace wasted time with movement • Be present, not scrolling past it Whether you struggle with social media addiction, procrastination, or just want better screen time control, Exerscroll turns the time you'd waste into time you'd earn. Your life should be spent living. Not scrolling past it. An active subscription is required to access all Exerscroll features. Terms: https://exerscroll.com/terms-and-conditions Privacy Policy: https://exerscroll.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

HabitUnlock4 screens
Exerscroll Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: HabitUnlock at freemium against Exerscroll Screen Time Control's subscription. HabitUnlock also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 weeks). Exerscroll Screen Time Control's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and ratings volume (11 vs 3). On price, review sentiment, 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. HabitUnlock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Exerscroll Screen Time Control sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Exerscroll Screen Time Control holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 11 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HabitUnlock ships an update every 6 days, Exerscroll Screen Time Control every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
HabitUnlock versus Exerscroll Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHabitUnlockExerscroll Screen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (3 ratings)5.0 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings311 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB205 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperTyrian HortonTy Switzer

Customer experience

HabitUnlock

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Exerscroll Screen Time Control

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

HabitUnlock

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Premium$4.997 Days
  • Monthly Premium7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Annual Premium7 Days trial$39.991 Year
5 purchases

Exerscroll Screen Time Control

Subscriptions5
  • Exerscroll Screen Time Monthly$14.991 Month
  • Exerscroll Quarterly$24.993 Months
  • Exerscroll Screen Time Yearly$29.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Exerscroll Screen Time Yearly$39.991 Year
  • Exerscroll Screen Time Yearly$59.991 Year

Questions

Is HabitUnlock free?
HabitUnlock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Exerscroll Screen Time Control free?
Exerscroll Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, HabitUnlock or Exerscroll Screen Time Control?
Exerscroll Screen Time Control is rated higher. HabitUnlock averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Exerscroll Screen Time Control averages 5.0 from 11 ratings.
Do HabitUnlock or Exerscroll Screen Time Control have ads?
Neither HabitUnlock nor Exerscroll Screen Time Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HabitUnlock or Exerscroll Screen Time Control?
HabitUnlock ships an update every 6 days, and Exerscroll Screen Time Control every 3 weeks. Most recently, HabitUnlock was updated on October 12, 2026 and Exerscroll Screen Time Control on October 7, 2026.

Other comparisons