Core Time vs Pace
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Core Time
This app provides a strict approach to blocking distracting applications and websites, helping users regain focus and manage screen time. It offers customizable lock durations and schedules, ensuring boundaries are enforced without negotiation.
- Strict app blocking
- Customizable lock durations
- Automatic scheduling
- Cold turkey focus mode
- Dopamine detox support
- ADHD-friendly focus aid
- One-tap recovery
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Core Time is a strict app blocker and screen time app lock for people who need more than a gentle reminder. Block apps cold turkey, protect your focus, and stop losing hours to social media, dopamine loops, and phone addiction. If Screen Time limits are too easy to ignore, Core Time gives you a harder reset. Choose the apps and websites that pull you away from what matters, set your lock duration or schedule, and let Core Time enforce the boundary until time is up. ▶ STRICT APP BLOCKER Select distracting apps, set a timer, and tap Lock Now. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, Reddit, games, and other dopamine traps stay blocked while your lock is active. ▶ SCREEN TIME APP LOCK Use Core Time as a stronger screen time blocker when default limits are not enough. Create hard app limits for study, deep work, bedtime, weekends, or any moment when one more scroll can ruin your day. ▶ COLD TURKEY FOCUS No snooze. No soft warning. No willpower negotiation. Core Time is built for people who want a cold turkey app blocker that removes temptation instead of asking you to resist it. ▶ STUDY, EXAMS, AND DEEP WORK Start a lock before homework, exam prep, reading, writing, coding, or meetings. Keep your phone nearby without letting social media or games steal your focus. ▶ DOPAMINE DETOX AND DIGITAL DETOX Trying to break a scrolling habit? Use Core Time to block the apps that trigger quick dopamine hits and build a calmer digital routine. It is useful for a daily digital detox, a weekend reset, or a longer phone addiction recovery plan. ▶ AUTOMATIC SCHEDULES Set recurring locks for school hours, work blocks, family time, or sleep. Core Time can activate on your schedule so you do not need to decide again every day. ▶ ADHD-FRIENDLY FOCUS SUPPORT When impulse control is hard, a reminder is not enough. Core Time helps by removing the option to open the apps you already decided to avoid. ▶ NO WAY OUT DURING A LOCK During an active lock, selected apps and websites show a shield screen. Core Time uses Apple's Screen Time API and Family Controls framework so blocking runs on your device and stays private. ▶ ONE-TAP RECOVERY If something goes wrong, use Fix Now in Settings to reset Core Time to a clean state quickly. ▶ RECOMMENDED FOR • Students preparing for exams or homework • Professionals protecting deep work blocks • People with ADHD who need stronger focus boundaries • Anyone reducing phone addiction, doomscrolling, or social media overuse • Night owls who want to stop scrolling before bed • Parents who want a clear app blocking routine on their own device Core Time is not another reminder app. It is a strict app blocker, screen time blocker, app lock, focus timer, and digital detox tool for people who want their time back. Take back control of your phone. Download Core Time and start your next focus block today. ▶ USE CASES THAT MATCH REAL LIFE Use Core Time before a study session, during exam prep, while writing, when coding, during meetings, at the gym, or before sleep. If you keep opening the same apps without thinking, create a lock before the habit starts. ▶ WHY IT HELPS Core Time turns a vague intention into a real boundary. Instead of checking your phone, feeling guilty, and trying again tomorrow, you make one decision up front and let the app enforce it. ▶ BUILT FOR REPEAT ROUTINES The best results come from repeated locks: weekday work blocks, daily study sessions, lunch breaks without scrolling, and bedtime screen time limits. Start small, then make your focus routine automatic. ▶ SCREEN TIME CONTROL AND APP DETOX Use Core Time as screen time control when you need cold turkey blocking, app detox, a dopamine detox app, or a phone detox app. It works as a blocker for apps that interrupt study, deep work, sleep, and real life. Terms of Use (EULA): https://core-ground.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://core-ground.com/privacy
Pace
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Pace is an iPhone screen time companion designed to help you reduce distractions, build healthier boundaries with apps, and create a steadier rhythm for study, work, rest, and bedtime. Instead of pushing extreme digital detox, Pace gives you practical tools to pause, reset, and stay intentional with your screen time. What you can do with Pace: • Start a Quick Focus session when you want a short period of fewer distractions • Review screen time patterns and usage insights • Monitor rule status and build more consistent daily habits • Use calm, supportive prompts to help you pause before returning to distracting apps Optional subscription features: • Plan Mode: create recurring schedules for app limits and blocking windows • Daily Usage Limits: set a daily allowance for selected apps or app groups • Open Limits: limit how often certain apps can be opened and how long each session can last • Advanced focus and app boundary controls Pace can be helpful if you want to: • Stay focused while studying, writing, or working • Reduce short-video, social, or gaming distractions • Build a better bedtime routine • Spend less time on your phone without using overly harsh restrictions • Understand your habits through simple, readable feedback Pace is built with iOS Screen Time, Family Controls, and Device Activity capabilities. Some features require system permissions, and availability may vary depending on your iOS version, device status, and system settings. Some advanced features require an optional in-app subscription. Privacy Policy: https://pace.gafoutech.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://pace.gafoutech.com/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Core Time at weekly against Pace's fortnightly. Core Time also leads on iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Core Time sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Pace sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Core Time ships an update weekly, Pace fortnightly. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.
| Parameter | Core Time | Pace |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 37 MB | 25 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | coreground | 爱民 邓 |
In-app purchases
Core Time
- Core Time Pro (Monthly)$6.991 Month
- Core Time Pro (Annual)$24.991 Year
- Core Time Pro (Annual)$49.991 Year
Pace
- Weekly Pro$3.997 Days
- Annual Pro7 Days trial$29.991 Year









