Comparison

ScreenHalt vs WhyNow

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

Head to head
About

ScreenHalt

This app helps you regain control of your digital habits by setting strict limits on app usage and opens. It enforces these boundaries to prevent mindless scrolling and encourage discipline. Take back your time and build healthier routines with its simple, distraction-free interface.

Highlights
  • Limit daily app opens
  • Set time limits for specific apps
  • Enforce strict usage boundaries
  • Simple and distraction-free interface
  • Build healthier digital habits
Features
Read full description

ScreenHalt helps you focus and reduce mindless scrolling by putting firm limits on how much time you spend on apps each day. Set daily limits for app opens and screen time, then let ScreenHalt enforce them. When you reach your limit, access is blocked — no extra scrolling, no exceptions. Designed for people who want real control over their digital habits, ScreenHalt encourages discipline without guilt. Features: • Limit daily app opens • Limit time spent in specific apps • Enforce strict usage boundaries • Simple and distraction-free experience Take back your time and build healthier habits with ScreenHalt. ScreenHalt offers premium features through auto-renewable subscriptions. • Payment will be charged to your App Store account at confirmation of purchase • Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period • Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period • You can manage and cancel your subscriptions in your App Store account settings Terms of Service: https://ScreenHalt.app/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://ScreenHalt.app/privacy-policy

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

ScreenHalt4 screens
WhyNow4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: ScreenHalt at 9 against WhyNow's 1. WhyNow's advantage is iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). On price, rating, update cadence 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. ScreenHalt sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 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 ScreenHalt against 5.0 for WhyNow. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScreenHalt has 9 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ScreenHalt ships an update every 2 weeks, WhyNow every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
ScreenHalt versus WhyNow: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenHaltWhyNow
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (9 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings9 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.017.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB108 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperScreenHalt LLCTaseen Tanvir

Customer experience

ScreenHalt

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

WhyNow

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

In-app purchases

3 purchases

ScreenHalt

Subscriptions2
  • One Month Premium$8.991 Month
  • Annual Premium$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$149.99
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 ScreenHalt free?
ScreenHalt 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, ScreenHalt or WhyNow?
ScreenHalt and WhyNow are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 9 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do ScreenHalt or WhyNow have ads?
Neither ScreenHalt nor WhyNow shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ScreenHalt or WhyNow?
ScreenHalt ships an update every 2 weeks, and WhyNow every 9 days. Most recently, ScreenHalt was updated on October 24, 2026 and WhyNow on October 6, 2026.

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