Comparison

FreeInFive Screen Time Control vs WhyNow

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

Head to head
About

FreeInFive Screen Time Control

This app helps you regain control of your time by setting firm yet gentle limits on distracting applications. Earn extra minutes by engaging in quick, mindful activities when you need a little more time.

Highlights
  • Set daily app limits
  • Schedule protected time
  • Quick Block for focus
  • Earn extra time via activities
  • On-device privacy
  • Usage comparison to goals
Read full description

Stop doomscrolling and get your time back with app limits that are calm, firm, and surprisingly fun. FreeInFive adds a little healthy friction between you and the apps that quietly steal your day. Choose the distracting apps, set your limits, and let FreeInFive step in when scrolling stops feeling intentional. GENTLE WHEN YOU NEED A NUDGE Get a calm reminder before reaching your daily limit. It’s a small pause that helps you notice the habit before another five minutes disappears. FIRM WHEN YOU’VE HAD ENOUGH Once your daily limit is reached, the app is blocked. No guilt, no dramatic warnings. just the boundary you chose for yourself. EARN 5 MORE MINUTES Truly need a little extra time? Earn it through a quick reset: • Take a guided breathing break • Write down your thoughts • Complete push-ups or arm raises • Try a playful movement challenge The point isn’t fitness or punishment. It’s making the moment of choice visible. BLOCK ON YOUR TERMS • Set daily limits for distracting apps • Schedule protected time for sleep, work or family • Start a Quick Block whenever you need to focus • See how your daily usage compares with your goal • Earn additional time through healthier activities PRIVATE BY DESIGN Screen-time monitoring happens on your device. FreeInFive cannot see your messages, photos, searches or what you do inside other apps. Your phone should be a tool, not a part-time job. Get your evenings, attention and quiet moments back with FreeInFive. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.freeinfive.app/privacy

About

WhyNow

This app helps you reduce time spent on distracting applications by requiring intentional unlocks. Create custom blocking profiles and choose from various unlock methods like physical movement, QR codes, or timers to build better phone habits.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps
  • Create focused profiles
  • Unlock with movement challenges
  • Use QR codes or NFC tags
  • Add timers and delays
  • Track focus progress
Features
Read full description

WhyNow helps you spend less time on distracting apps by making every unlock intentional. Instead of relying only on limits you can ignore, WhyNow lets you create blocking profiles for the apps that pull you in, then choose how access should be unlocked. Move before you scroll, scan a QR code, tap an NFC tag, wait through a timer, pause with intention, or use emergency access when you truly need it. Use WhyNow to: - Block distracting apps with Apple Screen Time - Create focused profiles for work, study, sleep, mornings, nights, or deep focus - Unlock with pushups and movement-based challenges - Use QR codes or NFC tags as physical keys - Add timers, delays, pauses, and emergency access - Track sessions and see your focus progress over time - Build better phone habits without losing access when it matters WhyNow is built for people who want practical screen time control, not guilt. It helps you create friction in the moments when you need it most, so opening a distracting app becomes a conscious choice instead of a reflex. Start with a simple profile, choose the apps you want to block, pick an unlock method, and let WhyNow help you reclaim your time one session at a time. Terms of Use: https://tanvir.io/awesomeapps/terms Privacy Policy: https://tanvir.io/awesomeapps/privacy

Screenshots

FreeInFive Screen Time Control4 screens
WhyNow4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: WhyNow at every 9 days against FreeInFive Screen Time Control's every 3 weeks. On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. FreeInFive Screen Time Control sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and WhyNow sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for FreeInFive Screen Time Control against 5.0 for WhyNow. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FreeInFive Screen Time Control ships an update every 3 weeks, WhyNow every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
FreeInFive Screen Time Control versus WhyNow: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFreeInFive Screen Time ControlWhyNow
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size124 MB108 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBloomeasyTaseen Tanvir

Customer experience

FreeInFive Screen Time Control

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

WhyNow

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

FreeInFive Screen Time Control

Subscriptions2
  • FreeInFive Premium14 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • FreeInFive Premium14 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • FreeInFive Premium$74.99
3 purchases

WhyNow

Subscriptions3
  • WhyNow Monthly$9.991 Month
  • WhyNow Annual Save Offer$39.991 Year
  • WhyNow Annual7 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is FreeInFive Screen Time Control free?
FreeInFive Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is WhyNow free?
WhyNow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FreeInFive Screen Time Control or WhyNow?
FreeInFive Screen Time Control and WhyNow are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do FreeInFive Screen Time Control or WhyNow have ads?
Neither FreeInFive Screen Time Control nor WhyNow shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FreeInFive Screen Time Control or WhyNow?
FreeInFive Screen Time Control ships an update every 3 weeks, and WhyNow every 9 days. Most recently, FreeInFive Screen Time Control was updated on October 25, 2026 and WhyNow on October 28, 2026.

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