Comparison

WhyNow vs Intentional

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

Head to head
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

About

Intentional

This app helps you regain control of your phone usage by introducing a brief pause before opening distracting applications. Set time limits and lock apps automatically when your session ends, breaking autopilot behavior without relying on willpower.

Highlights
  • Brief pause before app opening
  • Set time limits for apps
  • Automatic app locking
  • Game mode during countdowns
  • Session reminders
  • Background enforcement
  • Distraction-free design
Features
Read full description

Your phone takes hours from you every day. Intentional gives them back. Instead of blocking your apps, Intentional adds one simple step — a brief pause before you open them. That moment is enough to break the autopilot and put you back in control. Pick the apps that waste your time. Set a time limit. Use them on your terms. When your session ends, they lock again — no willpower required. Features include game mode during countdowns, session reminders, background enforcement, and a clean distraction-free design. Subscription required for core app features. The average person spends over 4 hours a day on their phone. Intentional can help you reclaim over 400 of those hours this year.

Screenshots

WhyNow4 screens
Intentional4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: WhyNow at freemium against Intentional's subscription. Intentional's advantage is ratings volume (3 vs 1). 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. WhyNow sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Intentional sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 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 WhyNow against 5.0 for Intentional. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WhyNow ships an update every 9 days, Intentional every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
WhyNow versus Intentional: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWhyNowIntentional
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings13 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size108 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTaseen TanvirNicholas Kneafsey

Customer experience

WhyNow

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

Intentional

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

WhyNow

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

Intentional

Subscriptions1
  • Intentional Monthly1 Month trial$2.991 Month

Questions

Is WhyNow free?
WhyNow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Intentional free?
Intentional is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, WhyNow or Intentional?
WhyNow and Intentional are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 3 ratings respectively.
Do WhyNow or Intentional have ads?
Neither WhyNow nor Intentional shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WhyNow or Intentional?
WhyNow ships an update every 9 days, and Intentional every 2 weeks. Most recently, WhyNow was updated on October 6, 2026 and Intentional on September 30, 2026.

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