BlockMate vs Screenguard
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BlockMate
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Stop doomscrolling. Without willpower. BlockMate is your AI mate for intentional screen time on iPhone. Instead of hard-blocking apps, it asks one honest question when you reach for Instagram, TikTok, or any app you'd rather not be on. Most of the time, you put the phone down on your own. The friendly way to reduce screen time, without locking yourself out of your own phone. THE PROBLEM You unlock your phone 80+ times a day. Most of those weren't your idea. Hard blockers fail because you override them. Willpower runs out by 2 PM. The lever that actually works is intention — and you only need one second of it, the moment your thumb is moving. Whether you call it doomscrolling, phone addiction, or just a habit you'd like to break, the same one-second lever applies. HOW IT WORKS 1. Pick the apps that pull you in. Instagram, TikTok, X, Reddit, YouTube Shorts — gate any apps, categories, or websites in Safari. BlockMate uses Apple's FamilyControls API, so the gating is real. 2. When you reach for one, BlockMate asks why. A short, honest exchange. No password, no countdown — a 30-second conversation. The AI mate reflects what you said before it asks anything. 3. Walk away, or get exactly the time you asked for. Real reason? You get the minutes you named. Just bargaining? You'll catch yourself, and the app stays closed. Auto-locks when time's up. WHY IT WORKS - Reflects, then asks. A bare question is interrogation. BlockMate restates what you said before asking anything. - Self-compassion, not shame. Honest impulses get honored. Guilt cycles drive more scrolling, not less. - Your past self knew. You set this up in a clear moment, for a foggy one. - Adapts as you grow. The more intentional you become, the quieter BlockMate gets. VS HARD BLOCKERS Opal, One Sec, Jomo, ScreenZen, Refocus — every one promises to reduce screen time. Every one relies on willpower. BlockMate uses a different lever: a 30-second conversation in the moment your thumb is moving. A mate, not a warden. PRIVACY - Apple FamilyControls — your blocklist stays on your device. - Conversations are short, anonymized, and never sold. - No ad networks. No third-party trackers. The product is the business. PRICING Free to start. Upgrade to unlock unlimited negotiations, multi-app gating, and adaptive coaching that learns your patterns. Yearly plan starts with a 7-day free trial. The friendly way to reduce screen time. Helping people live a little more, scroll a little less. Terms of Service: https://cloudy-bite-d28.notion.site/Terms-of-Service-354cc3aac91081908268cf66507229ec Privacy Policy: https://cloudy-bite-d28.notion.site/Privacy-Policy-2f1cc3aac9108061b102e03cf5eb3ce8
Screenguard
This app helps you manage screen time by earning it back through real-life tasks. Instead of just blocking apps, it allows you to complete activities like exercising or studying to unlock distracting apps for a limited duration.
- Earn screen time by completing real-life tasks
- Spend earned time to unlock distracting apps
- Set custom unlock durations for apps
- Track weekly progress and daily averages
- Identify top distracting apps
- Integrates with Apple's Screen Time tools
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Earn screen time to save 2h+ each day. Screenguard is a fun, simple way to limit screen time by earning it back through real-life tasks. Before you open a distracting app, Screenguard helps you pause, choose how much time you actually need, and stay in control. Instead of just blocking apps, Screenguard lets you earn screen time by completing simple tasks like moving your body, going outside, studying, reading, and building a better routine. Less endless scrolling. More time doing things that actually make you feel good. How it works: Pick the apps you want to guard, then earn coins by completing tasks in real life. Spend coins to unlock distracting apps for a limited amount of time. Screenguard keeps you aware with timers, limits, unlocks, and progress tracking so you always know where your time is going. That’s it. Complete a task. Earn coins. Unlock apps with intention. What makes Screenguard different: Most screen time apps only block you after you’ve already wasted time. Screenguard gives you a better trade: earn screen time by doing something good first. • Earn coins by completing real-life tasks • Spend coins to unlock distracting apps • Choose how long you want to unlock apps for • Limit screen time without quitting your phone completely • Build healthier routines around focus, sleep, movement, and mornings • Track weekly progress, streaks, daily averages, and pickup trends • See your top distractors ranked by time spent • Use Apple’s Screen Time tools to guard the apps that pull you in most Private & safe: Screenguard uses Apple's Screen Time API. All monitoring and blocking happen entirely on your device. Your app usage data never leaves your phone. * Subscription required to unlock app features. Terms of Service: https://screenguard.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://screenguard.app/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
BlockMate and Screenguard are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. BlockMate sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Screenguard sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
| Parameter | BlockMate | Screenguard |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.7 (25 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 85.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 25 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Every 6 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 18.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 30 MB | 121 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Oleh Hykavyy | Magicbase Inc |
In-app purchases
BlockMate
- BlockMate Pro (Monthly)$6.991 Month
- BlockMate Pro (Annual)7 Days trial$59.991 Year
Screenguard
- Premium$4.997 Days
- Premium3 Days trial$4.997 Days
- Premium7 Days trial$4.997 Days
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- Premium3 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Premium7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Premium$29.991 Year
- Yearly (2-Week Free Trial)14 Days trial$29.991 Year









