Comparison

Delay vs Open Step

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

Head to head
About

Delay

This self-help tool guides users through practicing techniques inspired by Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) to manage OCD urges. It offers a timer, scenario library, and various practice tools to help users sit with discomfort and let urges pass naturally.

Highlights
  • Practice Timer for urges
  • 800+ Urge Scenarios
  • 15+ Practice Tools (labeling, surfing)
  • Urge Logging & Intensity Tracking
  • Progress Tracking & Streaks
  • Pattern Insights
  • Daily Reminders
Features
Read full description

Delay - Practice Not Responding to OCD Urges Living with OCD can be exhausting. The constant urges, the rituals, the "what ifs" that won't stop. Delay is a self-help app that helps you practice techniques inspired by Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP). Instead of fighting your thoughts, you'll learn to sit with discomfort and let urges pass naturally - at your own pace. HOW IT WORKS When an OCD urge strikes, open Delay and start the timer. Choose how long you want to practice - even 2 minutes counts. The app supports you through the discomfort with calming messages, grounding exercises, and gentle encouragement. FEATURES Practice Timer - Delay your response to urges with guided sessions Urge Scenario Library - Browse common OCD-related situations across many subtypes 15+ Practice Tools - Thought labeling, urge surfing, grounding, and more Quick Urge Logging - Track urges by type and intensity Progress Tracking - Build streaks and view your practice history Pattern Insights - Discover when urges tend to peak Daily Reminders - Stay consistent with gentle notifications Dark Mode - Easy on your eyes, day or night SUBSCRIPTION Choose the plan that fits how you want to commit: • Annual: $59.99 per year, with a 1-week free trial (best value) • Monthly: $9.99 per month, with a 1-week free trial • Weekly: $2.99 per week, with a 3-day free trial Payment is charged to your Apple ID account when the free trial ends. Subscriptions auto-renew at the same price unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your device Settings. IMPORTANT Delay is a self-help tool only. It is NOT a substitute for professional mental health care, therapy, diagnosis, or medical treatment. This app does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. If you are struggling, please seek help from a licensed mental health professional. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Terms of Service: https://jadetradeapp.com/delay/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://jadetradeapp.com/delay/privacy-policy

About

Open Step

This app provides a self-guided therapeutic experience for individuals managing OCD. It utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles, including an exposure ladder, AI-powered cognitive reframing, and structured practice sessions to help users track progress and build resilience.

Highlights
  • 22-Step Exposure Ladder
  • AI-Powered Cognitive Reframing
  • Daily Affirmations
  • Structured Practice Sessions
  • Growth Journal
  • Daily Check-Ins
Features
Read full description

OpenStep is a self-guided therapeutic app for people living with OCD. Built on CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). 22-Step Exposure Ladder Your recovery starts where you are. A graduated system takes you from standing at your door to riding public transport and visiting a cinema — at your own pace. Each step includes instructions, duration guidance, and encouragement. AI-Powered Cognitive Reframing Anxiety lies. OpenStep uses AI to identify cognitive distortions like catastrophizing, fortune telling, and all-or-nothing thinking. Catch the patterns your mind uses to keep you stuck - a core skill in CBT for OCD. Daily Affirmations 7 categories crafted for the unique challenges of agoraphobia — brave days, setback days, being far from home, navigating crowds, and more. Structured Practice Sessions Every practice follows a 5-phase model: Plan → Stay → Notice → Return → Reflect. Track anxiety before and after, record what your mind predicted versus what actually happened, and watch evidence of your progress grow. Growth Journal Capture reflections, track anxiety patterns, and build a personal record of recovery. Daily Check-Ins A gentle morning notification invites you to set your focus — keeping your CBT practice consistent and momentum steady. Why OpenStep? • Evidence-based CBT approach to OCD • Self-paced — no therapist required • Warm, calming design — not clinical • AI-assisted thought analysis • 49+ handcrafted affirmations • Journaling and progress tracking Terms of Use: https://www.faravaree-lab.com/terms-of-use

Screenshots

Delay4 screens
Open Step4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Delay at 5.0 against Open Step's 1.0. Delay also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). Open Step's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 5 weeks). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. Delay sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Open Step sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Delay holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Delay ships an update every 5 weeks, Open Step every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Delay versus Open Step: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDelayOpen Step
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB34 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperJadeTrade Marketplace LLCFaravaree lab

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Delay

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Subscription3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Annual7 Days trial$59.991 Year
11 purchases

Open Step

Subscriptions10
  • OpenStep Pro — Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Premium Weekly Access$4.997 Days
  • OpenStep Pro — Monthly3 Days trial$7.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • OpenStep Pro — Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • OpenStep Pro — Yearly (Special)3 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • OpenStep Pro — Yearly3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • OpenStep Pro — Yearly3 Days trial$47.991 Year
  • OpenStep Pro — Yearly3 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Yearly$59.991 Year
  • Yearly$119.991 Year
One-time1
  • AI Recovery Report$24.99

Questions

Is Delay free?
Delay is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Open Step free?
Open Step is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Delay or Open Step?
Delay is rated higher. Delay averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Open Step averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Delay or Open Step have ads?
Open Step shows ads; Delay does not.
Which is updated more often, Delay or Open Step?
Delay ships an update every 5 weeks, and Open Step every 5 days. Most recently, Delay was updated on October 21, 2026 and Open Step on October 25, 2026.

Other comparisons