Comparison

Reduce Screen Time vs Basic Mode

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

Head to head
About

Reduce Screen Time

Take control of your digital life with this app designed to help you reclaim focus and boost productivity. Block distracting apps, set custom focus sessions, and track your screen time with insightful analytics. It aims to help you build a healthier relationship with your phone and reduce anxiety.

Highlights
  • Customizable app blocking
  • Nudges to stop doomscrolling
  • Instant Zen Mode for focus
  • Scheduled focus sessions
  • Gamified leaderboards and achievements
  • In-depth screen time analytics
  • Mindful breathing sessions
Features
Read full description

Block Apps and Take Control of Your Digital Life with Mindrot Stop doomscrolling and start living. Mindrot is the ultimate all-in-one screen time controller designed to help you reclaim your focus, boost your productivity, and improve your mental well-being. Whether you’re battling social media addiction, managing your focus distractions, or simply want more presence in your daily life, Mindrot provides the tools you need to build a healthier relationship with your phone. We spend an average of 5 to 6 hours a day on our screens, often without even realizing it. Mindrot changes the game by turning digital detox into a rewarding, personalized journey! KEY FEATURES Total Personalization & App Blocking You are in the driver’s seat. Select exactly which apps to block, when to block them, and for how long. Our advanced app blocker allows you to create custom lists so you can stay away from distractions while keeping your essential tools accessible! Nudges to Stop Doomscrolling Do you constantly find yourself switching from one social media app to another on your phone? Can’t stop yourself from doomscrolling? Don’t worry, we’ve got the solution! With our new Nudges feature, you can finally put an end to endless doomscrolling. It’s all in your hands: choose the app you spend the most time doomscrolling on, and while you use it, we’ll send you reminders at set intervals. Instant Zen Mode Need to focus right now? With a single tap, activate Zen Mode to instantly block all distracting apps. No complex setups or manual adjustments, just immediate peace of mind whenever you need to dive into deep work or enjoy your dinner without your phone. Scheduled Sessions Set it and forget it. Create Scheduled Sessions for your work hours, study time, or sleep routine. Once configured, your sessions start automatically according to your chosen days and times. Your initial settings are saved, so your focus routine runs like clockwork every single week. Gamified Leaderboards & Achievements Quitting your screen habit doesn't have to be boring. Earn points for every detox and successful focus session you complete. Climb the Global Leaderboard, compete with other users, and unlock Achievements as you hit new milestones. Turn your productivity into a win! In-Depth Screen Time Analytics Knowledge is power. Visit the Screen Time Screen to access comprehensive data on your usage. See exactly how much time you spend on your phone throughout the week and identify which apps are eating up your day. Clear, easy-to-read charts help you track your progress over time. Mindful Breathing Sessions Mindrot isn't just about blocking; it’s about balance. If you feel the urge to check your phone, take a moment for yourself with our built-in Breathing Sessions. These guided exercises help reduce anxiety and recenter your focus before you jump back into your tasks. WHY MINDROT? Reduce Anxiety: Break the dopamine loop of constant notifications. Boost Productivity: Spend more time on what actually matters. Improve Sleep: Block stimulating apps before bed for a better night's rest. Support Mental Health: Combat the negative effects of social media and ADHD distractions. Join thousands of users who are reclaiming their time and mental clarity. Mindrot is more than just an app blocker, it’s your partner in digital wellness. Looking for the best app to reduce screen time and block apps? Download Mindrot today and turn your screen time into life time. Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cHNyayF2nW2XHrn6TxQsO5z0Z62OkDyvFMdUV9r56hA/edit?tab=t.0 Terms of Use: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l6CEfJHx59UfYanlz2XquUKF9Rm3OKa6fwhZeLMSPfQ/edit?tab=t.0

About

Basic Mode

Transform your phone into a focused device on a schedule. Block distracting apps, categories, and websites while keeping essential functions accessible. Create custom modes for work, sleep, or family time, with an emergency unlock option.

Highlights
  • Customizable focus modes
  • Block apps, categories, and websites
  • Scheduled blocking sessions
  • Emergency app unlock
  • Essential app access
  • Privacy-focused design
Features
Read full description

Basic Mode turns your iPhone into a dumb phone — on your schedule. Pick a mode — Work, Night, Family, Deep Reset, or your own — choose which apps, categories, and websites go quiet, and start a session. Distractions get blocked. Essentials like calls, messages, maps, and camera stay available. • Saved modes for work, sleep, family time, and deeper resets • Block by app, category, or website — you decide • Timeboxed emergency unlock when you truly need it • Always reversible — restore app access anytime • 100% private: no account, no tracking, everything stays on your device Built on Apple's Screen Time. Basic Mode is free to use. Pro is an optional subscription that unlocks scheduled sessions, Commitment Lock, and custom modes. Cancel anytime. Terms of Use (EULA): https://probabilityapps.com/basic-mode/terms Privacy Policy: https://probabilityapps.com/basic-mode/privacy

Screenshots

Reduce Screen Time4 screens
Basic Mode4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Reduce Screen Time at every 8 days against Basic Mode's monthly. Reduce Screen Time also leads on ratings volume (4 vs 1) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, review sentiment 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. Reduce Screen Time sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Basic Mode sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. 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 Reduce Screen Time against 5.0 for Basic Mode. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reduce Screen Time ships an update every 8 days, Basic Mode monthly. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Reduce Screen Time versus Basic Mode: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReduce Screen TimeBasic Mode
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings4 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size57 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOnur CaganPROBABILITY LLC

Customer experience

Reduce Screen Time

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Basic Mode

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Reduce Screen Time

Subscriptions7
  • 1-Week$4.997 Days
  • Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Annual D (1 Year)7 Days trial$14.991 Year
Show 4 more
  • Annual (1 Year)$24.991 Year
  • Annual (1 Year)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Annual (1-Week Free Trial) (1 Year)7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Annual (1-Week Free Trial) (1 Year)7 Days trial$49.991 Year
3 purchases

Basic Mode

Subscriptions3
  • Basic Mode Weekly Lite$2.997 Days
  • Basic Mode Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Basic Mode Weekly Plus$7.997 Days

Questions

Is Reduce Screen Time free?
Reduce Screen Time is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Basic Mode free?
Basic Mode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Reduce Screen Time or Basic Mode?
Reduce Screen Time and Basic Mode are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 4 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Reduce Screen Time or Basic Mode have ads?
Neither Reduce Screen Time nor Basic Mode shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reduce Screen Time or Basic Mode?
Reduce Screen Time ships an update every 8 days, and Basic Mode monthly. Most recently, Reduce Screen Time was updated on October 15, 2026 and Basic Mode on October 15, 2026.

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