Comparison

Held vs AppBlock Screen Time Control

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

Head to head
About

Held

Features
Read full description

Held helps you turn intentions into repeatable focus rituals, then protects that time by blocking distracting apps while your ritual is active. Create rituals manually, by voice, or simply tell the in-app AI coach what you want to do and how long you have. Held turns it into a clear, step-by-step ritual you can follow. What you can do with Held Create focus rituals in seconds (manual, voice, or AI-guided) Block selected apps or block everything during a ritual (so you can’t β€œaccidentally” drift) Build streaks and stay consistent with gentle momentum Track your progress and see how your habits evolve over time Get coaching when you feel the urge to unlock, quick prompts, not essays Perfect for Deep work, studying, evening shutdown routines, workouts, reading, journaling, anything you want to protect from distractions. Make focus automatic. Protect your time. Build your streak. Privacy Policy URL: https://held-app.framer.website/legals/privacy-policy Terms of Service (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

AppBlock Screen Time Control

Features
Read full description

AppBlock is a simple app blocker for real screen time control. Block apps by schedule, by daily app time limit, by number of opens or by location, and stop scrolling without relying on willpower. Pick the apps that pull you in, like social media, Reels, short videos or games, then choose how to block them. AppBlock uses Apple's Screen Time system, so a blocked app shows a shield screen when you try to open it. WAYS TO BLOCK β€’ Quick Block: start a focus session in one tap. A countdown shows how long is left. β€’ Schedules: block apps during work, study, dinner or bedtime. Pick the days and the times. β€’ Daily limits: set how long you can use an app each day. When the time is up, the app is blocked. β€’ Open limits: allow only a few opens a day. The blocked screen shows how many you have left. β€’ Location blocking: block apps when you are at school, the library or the office, or when you are away from a place you choose. SEE YOUR SCREEN TIME Guess your daily screen time, then see the real number. Insights show your screen time and your most used apps each day for free. Weekly and monthly views come with Premium. MADE FOR REAL LIFE β€’ Stop doomscrolling at night β€’ Study or work without your phone pulling you away, with an app blocker that stays on β€’ Keep dinner and family time phone free β€’ Switch off work apps when you get home PRIVACY The apps you pick stay private. Apple's Screen Time system keeps your list hidden from us, and your schedules and limits are stored on your device. 11 LANGUAGES English, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil and Portugal), German, French, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Korean and Simplified Chinese. HOW IT WORKS 1. Allow Screen Time access once 2. Pick the apps that distract you 3. Start Quick Block, or set a schedule, a limit or a place 4. Get your time back FREE AND PREMIUM AppBlock is free to start. The free plan includes 4 hour Quick Block sessions, schedules on one day, a few usage, open and location rules, and daily Insights. Premium adds more rules, longer usage limits, schedules on several days, 24 hour Quick Block sessions, and weekly and monthly Insights. Try Premium free for 7 days, then choose monthly or yearly. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS β€’ Premium is an auto-renewing subscription, billed monthly or yearly β€’ Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase β€’ The subscription renews automatically unless you turn it off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period β€’ Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period β€’ Manage or cancel in your Apple Account settings β€’ Any unused part of a free trial is lost when you buy a subscription Privacy Policy: https://o9tech.com/appblocker/privacypolicy.html Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Support: support@o9tech.com

Screenshots

Held4 screens
AppBlock Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

Held and AppBlock Screen Time Control are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters β€” price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them β€” neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Held sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and AppBlock Screen Time Control sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Held versus AppBlock Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHeldAppBlock Screen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyβ€”Every 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad β€” better
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size22 MB46 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRelja BulajicSaif Ur Rehman

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Held

Subscriptions2
  • Held Premium$5.991 Month
  • Held Premium$49.991 Year
2 purchases

AppBlock Screen Time Control

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Premium7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Premium7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Held free?
Held is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AppBlock Screen Time Control free?
AppBlock Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Held or AppBlock Screen Time Control have ads?
Neither Held nor AppBlock Screen Time Control shows ads.

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