Comparison

Screenguard vs Screen Time Control

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

Head to head
About

Screenguard

This app helps you manage screen time by earning it back through real-life tasks. Instead of just blocking apps, it allows you to complete activities like exercising or studying to unlock distracting apps for a limited duration.

Highlights
  • Earn screen time by completing real-life tasks
  • Spend earned time to unlock distracting apps
  • Set custom unlock durations for apps
  • Track weekly progress and daily averages
  • Identify top distracting apps
  • Integrates with Apple's Screen Time tools
Features
Read full description

Earn screen time to save 2h+ each day. Screenguard is a fun, simple way to limit screen time by earning it back through real-life tasks. Before you open a distracting app, Screenguard helps you pause, choose how much time you actually need, and stay in control. Instead of just blocking apps, Screenguard lets you earn screen time by completing simple tasks like moving your body, going outside, studying, reading, and building a better routine. Less endless scrolling. More time doing things that actually make you feel good. How it works: Pick the apps you want to guard, then earn coins by completing tasks in real life. Spend coins to unlock distracting apps for a limited amount of time. Screenguard keeps you aware with timers, limits, unlocks, and progress tracking so you always know where your time is going. That’s it. Complete a task. Earn coins. Unlock apps with intention. What makes Screenguard different: Most screen time apps only block you after you’ve already wasted time. Screenguard gives you a better trade: earn screen time by doing something good first. • Earn coins by completing real-life tasks • Spend coins to unlock distracting apps • Choose how long you want to unlock apps for • Limit screen time without quitting your phone completely • Build healthier routines around focus, sleep, movement, and mornings • Track weekly progress, streaks, daily averages, and pickup trends • See your top distractors ranked by time spent • Use Apple’s Screen Time tools to guard the apps that pull you in most Private & safe: Screenguard uses Apple's Screen Time API. All monitoring and blocking happen entirely on your device. Your app usage data never leaves your phone. * Subscription required to unlock app features. Terms of Service: https://screenguard.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://screenguard.app/privacy

About

Screen Time Control

This app helps you reclaim your time by blocking distracting applications and categories. Set daily goals, start focus sessions, and build streaks to protect your attention and spend more time on what matters.

Highlights
  • Set daily time goals
  • Block distracting apps and categories
  • Start focus sessions
  • Build streaks for momentum
  • Track progress and reclaim time
  • Create boundaries between impulse and intention
Features
Read full description

Vow helps you take your time back. When distraction starts pulling you away, Vow helps you pause, protect your attention, and stay with the promise you made to yourself. Set the time you want back each day, choose what matters most, and block the apps that usually break your focus. Vow is built for people who want more than another productivity tool. It is designed to help you create a cleaner boundary between impulse and intention, so you can spend more time on the life you actually want. With Vow, you can: - Set a daily time goal for the minutes you want to reclaim - Choose the apps and categories that pull you off track - Start focus sessions that block distractions when it matters most - Build streaks and protect your momentum over time - See your progress and reclaim more of your day - Stay connected to your reason, not just your routine Whether you want to study with a clearer mind, work without breaking flow, sleep without the scroll, or make more time for what matters, Vow helps you hold the line. Take your time back. Keep your vow. ### You must upgrade to Pro to use this app. ### Subscription Details - Payment: Charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. - Auto-renewal: Subscription renews automatically unless turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - Renewal charge: Your account is charged within 24 hours before the end of the current period. - Manage subscription: You can manage subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal in Account Settings after purchase. - Cancellation and refunds: Managed directly by the store. - Free trial: Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited after purchase. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.kai7.app/p/privacy-policy-no-tracking.html

Screenshots

Screenguard4 screens
Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Screenguard at 4.7 against Screen Time Control's 4.0. Screenguard also leads on monetization model (free vs subscription) and review sentiment (86% vs 50%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Screenguard sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Screen Time Control sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Screenguard holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Screenguard has 25 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of Screenguard's written reviews are positive against 50% of Screen Time Control's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Screenguard ships an update every 6 days, Screen Time Control every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Screenguard versus Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenguardScreen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (25 ratings) — better4.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings25 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.217.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size121 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMagicbase IncKai Chi Tsao

Customer experience

Screenguard

All ratings25 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

Screen Time Control

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Screenguard

Subscriptions7
  • Premium$4.997 Days
  • Premium3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Premium7 Days trial$4.997 Days
Show 4 more
  • Premium3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Premium7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Premium$29.991 Year
  • Yearly (2-Week Free Trial)14 Days trial$29.991 Year
2 purchases

Screen Time Control

Subscriptions1
  • Vow Annual7 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Vow Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is Screenguard free?
Screenguard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Screen Time Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Screenguard or Screen Time Control?
Screenguard is rated higher. Screenguard averages 4.7 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while Screen Time Control averages 4.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Screenguard or Screen Time Control have ads?
Neither Screenguard nor Screen Time Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Screenguard or Screen Time Control?
Screenguard ships an update every 6 days, and Screen Time Control every 3 days. Most recently, Screenguard was updated on October 2, 2026 and Screen Time Control on October 9, 2026.

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