Comparison

ScreenHalt vs Key

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

Key

Read full description

Key blocks the apps that eat your time. To get them back, you scan a small physical token called a Key, kept somewhere inconvenient on purpose: a kitchen drawer, or a shelf in another room. Locking takes one tap. Unlocking means standing up and walking to wherever you left your Key. That short walk gives you time to change your mind, and most of the time you do. HOW IT WORKS 1. Pick the apps and websites you want out of reach. 2. Lock them by holding the button, or by tapping your Key to your phone. 3. To unlock, scan your Key. There is no unlock button on the screen. MODES You probably don't want the same rules at work and in bed. Modes are separate blocklists you can switch between: a Work mode can block social apps while a Sleep mode blocks nearly everything. There is also a Light mode that inverts the idea. It blocks every app except the few you name, which turns your phone into something close to a dumb phone. SCHEDULES A schedule locks the phone for you at a set time. Sleep mode can start at 11 every night, work mode at 9 on weekdays. The lock ends when you scan your Key, or at an end time you choose. EXTRAS Auto-relock arms itself after you scan: once you spend 5, 10 or 15 minutes in your unblocked apps, Key locks them again. If you tend to delete blockers in weak moments, Key can prevent app deletion while a lock is on. Websites can go on the blocklist along with apps. FORCE UNLOCKS Sometimes you need your phone and your Key is at home. You get five force unlocks that open everything without scanning. Five is enough for real emergencies and too few to become a habit. PRIVACY Key runs on Screen Time, Apple's own framework. Apple designed it so that apps like Key receive anonymous tokens instead of app names, which means Key never finds out which apps you chose to block. Your blocklist and your history stay on the phone. The account exists only to identify you; it's an email address, and nothing else syncs. There are no streaks or scores anywhere in the app, and it will never tell you to do better. THE KEY The Key itself has no battery and nothing to set up. There is no pairing step either; any Key works with any phone. Keep one at home and one at the office if you like. The same Key works on multiple phones You pay for the Key once. The app has no subscription. Get yours at trykey.co.

Screenshots

ScreenHalt4 screens
Key4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Key at none against ScreenHalt's 3. On price, update cadence, ads 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. ScreenHalt sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. Key asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ScreenHalt ships an update every 2 weeks, Key weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
ScreenHalt versus Key: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenHaltKey
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (8 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.0 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperScreenHalt LLCTitun LLC

In-app purchases

3 purchases

ScreenHalt

Subscriptions2
  • One Month Premium$8.991 Month
  • Annual Premium$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$149.99
None

Key

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ScreenHalt free?
ScreenHalt is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Key free?
Key is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do ScreenHalt or Key have ads?
Neither ScreenHalt nor Key shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ScreenHalt or Key?
ScreenHalt ships an update every 2 weeks, and Key weekly. Most recently, ScreenHalt was updated on October 17, 2026 and Key on October 10, 2026.

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