Comparison

IronWill vs Protocol

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

Head to head
About

IronWill

This app provides a science-backed 90-day program to help users break free from compulsive habits. It offers streak tracking, evidence-based coping techniques, gamified motivation, and daily check-ins to monitor progress and identify triggers.

Highlights
  • 90-day brain reboot program
  • Streak tracking and analytics
  • 10 evidence-based coping techniques
  • Gamified progress with ranks and badges
  • Daily check-ins and trigger identification
  • Recovery predictions and tailored recommendations
Features
Read full description

IronWill is your personal recovery companion, designed to help you break free from compulsive habits using science-backed methods and proven strategies. SCIENCE-BACKED 90-DAY BRAIN REBOOT Your brain needs approximately 90 days to rewire neural pathways and reset dopamine sensitivity. IronWill guides you through three distinct phases: - Withdrawal Phase (Days 1-14): Navigate peak cravings as your brain adjusts - Rewiring Phase (Days 15-60): Build new neural pathways with daily support - Strengthening Phase (Days 61-90): Solidify your progress as clarity returns Track your Brain Reboot progress with a visual percentage meter and receive phase-specific guidance every step of the way. WEBSITE BLOCKER — REMOVE THE TEMPTATION Block the sites that pull you back — in Safari and every browser on your device, powered by Apple's Screen Time: - Turn on system-wide protection with one tap - No lists to maintain: the filter is built into iOS and stays current - 100% private: filtering happens on your device — your browsing history never leaves your phone URGE TOOLKIT Ride out cravings with instant distractions: - Guided breathing exercises and calming ambient sounds - Quick mini-games and math challenges to redirect your mind - Short reads that remind you why you started POWERFUL STREAK TRACKING - Track your current streak and celebrate every milestone - View your longest streak and work to beat your personal best - Count every urge you overcome - not just days, but victories - Access detailed analytics showing your clean rate and patterns 10 EVIDENCE-BASED COPING TECHNIQUES When urges hit, access instant relief techniques proven to work: - Cold Water Splash: Activates dive reflex, resets your nervous system - 4-7-8 Breathing: Calming technique that reduces anxiety in seconds - 20 Push-ups: Redirect energy and release natural endorphins - 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding: Anchor yourself using your five senses - Box Breathing: Navy SEAL technique for mental control - Plus 5 more for movement, mindfulness, and connection GAMIFICATION THAT MOTIVATES Progress through 10 ranks as you build your streak — from Day One all the way to Unbreakable. Unlock 12 achievement badges for milestones like your first week, first month, and first year free. Earn check-in achievements by building your daily reflection habit. DAILY CHECK-INS & INSIGHTS - Track mood, energy levels, and urge intensity daily - Identify your personal triggers from 16 categories - View 30-day mood trend charts and weekly summaries - Understand your patterns with detailed analytics ACCOUNTABILITY & SHARING - Create shareable progress cards to show your streak - Share with accountability partners or support groups - Track your journey with a visual streak calendar RECOVERY PREDICTIONS Your personalized assessment gives you a predicted recovery date, success probability, and tailored recommendations. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION An IronWill subscription unlocks full access to all features and content. Payment is charged to your App Store account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the current period ends — manage or cancel anytime in your account settings. Any unused free trial time is forfeited when you purchase a subscription. FEATURES: - Streak counter with rank progression - 90-day Brain Reboot tracker - System-wide website blocker - Urge toolkit: breathwork, sounds, games & reads - 10 emergency coping techniques - Daily mood, energy & urge tracking - Trigger pattern analysis - 30+ motivational daily quotes - Shareable progress cards - 12 unlockable achievements - Detailed analytics dashboard Your journey to freedom starts with one day. Download IronWill and take the first step toward reclaiming your life. Terms of Service: https://getironwill.app/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://getironwill.app/privacy/ Term of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Protocol

Features
Read full description

Protocol: Rewire is a private, on-device recovery companion for breaking the habits that are holding you back - smoking, alcohol, PMO, and doomscrolling. Track your streaks, log your moods and urges, and follow daily missions built around real behavior-change techniques. Everything happens on your phone: no account, no cloud sync, no ads, no analytics. KEY FEATURES - Multi-addiction tracking: choose the habits you're working on and track each one separately - Streak and check-in history: see your progress at a glance with calendar heatmaps and charts - Mood and urge logging: spot the triggers and patterns behind your cravings - Daily missions and goals: small, achievable tasks that build momentum - Doomscroll Shield: an optional Screen Time-based blocker that helps you stick to the app limits you set for yourself - Home and Lock Screen widgets: keep your streak visible without opening the app - Smart reminders: gentle, type-aware notifications instead of generic alerts WHY PRIVATE-FIRST Recovery data is deeply personal. Protocol: Rewire stores everything - your habit history, mood logs, urges, and goals - exclusively on your device using local storage. There's no server, no account, and nothing to leak. PROTOCOL REWIRE PRO An optional auto-renewing subscription unlocks the full set of missions, the Doomscroll Shield, and detailed analytics. A 7-day free trial is available where offered. Protocol: Rewire is a self-help tool, not a medical device, and is not a substitute for professional care. If you're struggling, please reach out to a healthcare professional or local support service. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://angunsidar.github.io/protocol-rewire/privacy.html

Screenshots

IronWill4 screens
Protocol4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Protocol at none against IronWill's shown. Protocol also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.6). On price, 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. IronWill sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Protocol sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
IronWill versus Protocol: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIronWillProtocol
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size118 MB36 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperAn TranSidar Angn

In-app purchases

6 purchases

IronWill

Subscriptions5
  • Weekly Access$4.997 Days
  • Weekly Access with Free Trial3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Monthly Access with Free Trial3 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Yearly Access - Special Offer$19.991 Year
  • Yearly Access$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$99.99
2 purchases

Protocol

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Operator — Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Pro Operator — Annual7 Days trial$19.991 Year

Questions

Is IronWill free?
IronWill is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Protocol free?
Protocol is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do IronWill or Protocol have ads?
IronWill shows ads; Protocol does not.

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