Haven vs Screen Time Control
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Haven
This app helps you reclaim your time by blocking distracting applications. It uses a unique physical pause, requiring a stretch before unlocking your phone, to break addictive usage cycles. Set custom limits and schedules for a healthier digital life.
- Physical stretch to unlock
- Block apps, categories, and websites
- Customizable daily unblock caps
- Scheduled access windows
- Weekly usage reports
- Extreme Mode for cold-turkey blocking
- No account required
Read full descriptionHide full description
Haven is a screen time blocker built around one physical pause: stretch to unlock your phone. Choose the apps that pull you in. Haven uses Apple Screen Time to shield them. When you reach to unlock, Haven asks you to stretch first — a short breath-and-body reset, long enough to break the reflex. Most of the time you'll realize you didn't need the phone. When you do, it's still there. Why Haven feels different: Real blocking with Apple Screen Time. Apps, categories, and websites are fully shielded. A body-first pause. Stretch and breath sequences interrupt the loop before every guided unblock, so the pause isn't just a button. Honest rules. Daily unblock caps, emergency unlocks, schedules, and allowed windows — set them once and let Haven enforce them. Rooted weekly history. A calm reflection of your phone rhythm. No streaks, no shame. No account. No email. No sign-in. Your blocking setup stays on-device. Extreme Mode for when you mean it — cold-turkey blocking that even the shield can't override. Seven-day trial and Premium include: More blockers and more control Schedules and allowed windows Custom, zero, or unlimited guided-unblock caps Custom break lengths A richer library of stretch sequences Rooted reports and premium history views Premium app icon and widget extras Extreme Mode for cold-turkey blocking Haven is built for people who want firmer limits without streak pressure, guilt, or a maze of settings. Block first. Stretch. Breathe. Usually you'll realize you didn't need the phone, and when you do, it's there. SUBSCRIPTION NOTICE • Haven offers auto-renewing subscriptions and a one-time lifetime purchase for Premium access • Eligible new subscribers get a 7-day free trial on Annual Premium • Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase • Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the free trial or current period • You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings • Privacy Policy: https://havenlimit.app/privacy • Terms of Use (Apple Standard EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ • Public service terms: https://havenlimit.app/terms
Screen Time Control
This app inserts a brief puzzle before you open selected apps, creating a moment of intentionality to reduce mindless scrolling. It offers various puzzles and a premium version for ad removal and full puzzle access.
- Puzzle before app access
- Reduces mindless scrolling
- Nine calming puzzle types
- Customizable app blocking
- Intentional use timer
- Premium ad-free option
Read full descriptionHide full description
Pause helps you scroll on purpose. Lowers your screen time. We all reach for the same apps on autopilot. Pause puts a small, calming puzzle between you and those apps, so opening one becomes a choice, not a reflex. HOW IT WORKS • Choose the apps you want to pause. • When you try to open one, Pause asks you to solve a quick puzzle first. • Solve it, and the app unlocks for 15 minutes of intentional use. • When time's up, the pause comes back automatically. That tiny moment of friction is enough to break the autopilot—and remind you why you picked up your phone in the first place. NINE CALMING PUZZLES Word Jumble, Mini Crossword, Sliding Tile, Ball Sort, Connect the Colors, Maze, Sixdoku, and more. Every unlock is a small mental reset instead of a mindless tap. DESIGNED FOR INTENTION, NOT RESTRICTION Pause isn't about locking yourself out—it's about adding just enough space to choose. No guilt, no lectures. Just a gentle pause. PAUSE PREMIUM • Unlock all nine puzzles • Remove ads • Start with a 7-day free trial, then annual or monthly Your privacy comes first. Pause uses Apple's Screen Time technology, and the apps you choose never leave your device. Scroll less by accident. Scroll more on purpose. — SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS Pause Premium is an auto-renewing subscription. (7-day free trial for new subscribers) • Annual — $74.99/year • Monthly — $9.99/month Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple Account settings. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you start a subscription. Privacy Policy URL: Terms of Use URL: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Haven at none against Screen Time Control's shown. Screen Time Control's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks) and ratings volume (7 vs 1). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Haven sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Screen Time Control sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Haven against 5.0 for Screen Time Control. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Screen Time Control has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Haven ships an update every 6 weeks, Screen Time Control fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Haven | Screen Time Control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (7 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 7 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 21 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Zachary Highley-Gergel | Carlos Velasquez |
Customer experience
Haven
Screen Time Control
In-app purchases
Haven
- Haven Monthly$6.991 Month
- Haven Premium Annual$49.991 Year
- Haven Lifetime$299.99
Screen Time Control
- Pause Premium (Monthly)7 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Pause Premium (Annual)7 Days trial$74.991 Year









