Intentional vs Pauza
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Brief pause before app opening
- Set time limits for apps
- Automatic app locking
- Game mode during countdowns
- Session reminders
- Background enforcement
- Distraction-free design
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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.
Pauza
This app gamifies screen time reduction by challenging friends to scroll less, with the loser paying in minutes. It helps users block distracting apps, track their usage, and build focus streaks, offering a unique approach to digital well-being.
- Challenge friends to reduce screen time
- Gamified focus with stakes
- Block distracting apps
- Track daily app usage
- Build focus streaks
- Private blocklist management
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Challenge a friend to scroll less. Loser pays — in minutes (tokens). Pauza is the first screen time app where focus is a game you win together. Most blockers rely on willpower — and willpower runs out. Pauza adds something stronger: a real stake and a friend on the other side. CHALLENGE A FRIEND Challenge a friend to scroll less than you. Whoever loses, really pays. A real stake and someone watching make it far harder to reach for the feed — this is the part no other screen time app has. EARN YOUR SCREEN TIME Every minute you don't waste becomes a reward you keep. Trade scrolling for something that grows, instead of just fighting the urge. BLOCK THE APPS THAT EAT YOUR DAY Set limits on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and more in seconds. Powered by Apple Screen Time. SEE WHERE YOUR HOURS GO A clear, app-by-app breakdown of your day — no guessing, no shame, just the truth about where the time went. BUILD A STREAK Win one focused day at a time and watch your progress grow. Small wins, stacked. PRIVATE BY DESIGN The apps you choose to block never leave your device — your blocklist is yours alone, built with Apple's Screen Time API. Only an anonymous daily total syncs, so friends see your minutes, never which apps you used. The optional avatar selfie is processed once and deleted — never stored. PAUZA PRO The core app — blocking, tracking, streaks and challenges — is free. Pauza Pro unlocks longer Hard mode sessions, extended challenges, and full weekly / monthly / yearly analytics. Take your screen time back. Start today. Privacy Policy: https://pauza.ai/privacy Terms of Use: https://pauza.ai/terms Questions: info@pauza.ai
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Pauza at freemium against Intentional's subscription. Pauza also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks). Intentional's advantage is ratings volume (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, review sentiment 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
Both are free to download. Intentional sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month and Pauza 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 Intentional against 5.0 for Pauza. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Intentional ships an update every 2 weeks, Pauza every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Intentional | Pauza |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Subscription | Freemium — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 101 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Nicholas Kneafsey | A24Z AI |
Customer experience
Intentional
Pauza
In-app purchases
Intentional
- Intentional Monthly1 Month trial$2.991 Month
Pauza
- pauza pro monthly$9.991 Month
- pauza pro yearly7 Days trial$59.991 Year
