# Screenguard vs BlockRot

The clearest difference is monetization model: Screenguard at free against BlockRot's free with in-app purchases. Screenguard also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 62%). BlockRot's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 6 days) and ratings volume (387 vs 25). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Screenguard sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and BlockRot sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Screenguard against 4.7 for BlockRot. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BlockRot has 387 ratings behind it against 25, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 86% of Screenguard's written reviews are positive against 62% of BlockRot's.

Screenguard ships an update every 6 days, BlockRot daily. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Screenguard | BlockRot |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (25 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenguard-limit-screen-time/id6759247199/reviews) | [4.7 (387 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blockrot-screen-time-control/id6761429056/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 25 | **387** |
| Positive reviews | **85.7% of reviews** | 62.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 days | **Daily** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 121 MB | 241 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.2 | **18.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Magicbase Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/523366256) | [Matthew Heester](https://appshunter.io/developer/1834464869) |

## What reviewers say

### Screenguard

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenguard-limit-screen-time/id6759247199)

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:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly (2-Week Free Trial) | $29.99 | per year |


### BlockRot

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blockrot-screen-time-control/id6761429056)

This app helps users break free from phone addiction and reclaim focus by rewarding healthy real-life habits with screen time. It uses a unique gem system and a virtual companion to motivate users to build discipline and reverse the effects of excessive digital consumption.

**Highlights:** Rot Gems system for earning screen time, Penguin companion for motivation, Photo-based task verification, 30+ healthy habit tasks, App blocking via Apple Screen Time, Private and secure by default

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Weekly | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $79.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Screenguard free?

Screenguard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is BlockRot free?

BlockRot is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Screenguard or BlockRot?

Screenguard and BlockRot are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 25 and 387 ratings respectively.

### Do Screenguard or BlockRot have ads?

Neither Screenguard nor BlockRot shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Screenguard or BlockRot?

Screenguard ships an update every 6 days, and BlockRot daily. Most recently, Screenguard was updated on September 14, 2026 and BlockRot on September 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*