Comparison

Screen Time Control vs Aside

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

Head to head
About

Screen Time Control

This app transforms your to-do list into screen time. Complete tasks to earn logs, which you can then use to extend your allowed usage of distracting apps. When your screen time runs out, those apps are blocked until you earn more time by being productive.

Highlights
  • Task and habit creation with custom rewards
  • Screen time management with app blocking
  • Interactive flame companion with mood states
  • Home and lock screen widgets
  • Customizable screen time limits and app selection
  • Private by design, no cloud sync or tracking
Features
Read full description

Stop doomscrolling. Earn your screen time instead. Burn turns your to-do list into screen time. Get things done, earn logs, and feed them to Burn, a little flame who lives on your phone. Scroll too much and Burn's fuel runs out, and so do your distracting apps. No willpower required. Just a flame worth keeping lit. HOW IT WORKS • Start each day with a screen time budget you choose • Scrolling the apps you pick burns through it, minute by minute • Hit zero and those apps lock • Finish tasks to earn logs • Feed logs to Burn: every log buys 10 more minutes GET STUFF DONE • Give every task its own log reward, so big jobs pay more • Daily, weekday, or custom repeating tasks for your habits • Plan Today, Tomorrow, and the days ahead • Sort tasks into color-coded categories • Shake to undo if you tap too soon A FLAME WORTH KEEPING LIT • Burn reacts to your day: happy when you're on track, worried when time runs low, out cold when it's gone • Tap, pet, and drag logs in to feed him • Dozes off at night with a sleepy face • Keep Burn lit at midnight to build your streak YOU'RE IN CONTROL • Choose exactly which apps and categories burn fuel • Everything else stays open • Set your own daily budget • No account, no sign-in, no ads. BURN+ (ONE-TIME PURCHASE) • 13 flame colors, each with a matching app icon • Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets, including a task list you can check off without opening the app • Live Activity: watch your fuel count down in the Dynamic Island • Low fuel warnings before your apps lock • Screen Time Insights: see which apps ate your time, by day, week, and month Burn uses Apple's Screen Time to track and limit only the apps you choose. What you do in them never leaves your device.

About

Aside

Features
Read full description

Aside helps you block distracting apps, reduce doomscrolling, and stay focused when it matters most. Whether you are studying, working deeply, sleeping better, or spending less time on social media, Aside gives you a calmer way to take control of your screen time. No login. No judgment. No pressure. Create intentional blocking sessions for social apps, video apps, games, and anything that pulls your attention. Start a focus session, put your phone aside, and let Aside help you stay committed through the moments that usually slip away. Aside is designed to feel simple, warm, and motivating. It is never strict or overwhelming. A small purple companion named Pip keeps you going, and gentle streaks show your consistency building over time, without guilt if you miss a session. KEY BENEFITS - Block distracting apps during focus sessions so you can actually start - Reduce doomscrolling and impulsive checking with simple, real-time limits - Set recurring schedules for the times you need focus most, like mornings or late nights - Build streaks and track your progress without pressure - Take short challenges that help you form better phone habits - See honest insights into your screen time trends so you know what is changing - Stay motivated with Pip, your friendly companion USE ASIDE WHEN YOU WANT TO - Stop wasting time on social media - Focus on work or study - Avoid late-night scrolling - Build a digital detox routine - Create healthier phone habits - Protect your attention during deep work Aside uses Apple’s Screen Time API to help you select and block distracting apps on your device. Your app selections and blocking activity stay private on your iPhone. No account. No cloud tracking. Take a break from distractions. Put them aside. Aside Premium Aside Premium is an auto-renewable subscription with weekly and yearly options. Pricing and duration are shown clearly before purchase in the app. No account is required to use Aside. Purchases are managed through your Apple ID. You can restore your subscription in the app if you reinstall or switch devices. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://asideblocker.com/en/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Support: https://asideblocker.com/en/help

Screenshots

Screen Time Control4 screens
Aside4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Screen Time Control at none against Aside's shown. Aside's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.0). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Screen Time Control sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Aside sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Screen Time Control ships an update every 3 weeks, Aside every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Screen Time Control versus Aside: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreen Time ControlAside
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (7 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB58 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVincent NguyenKioshi Okamoto

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Screen Time Control

One-time1
  • Burn+$9.99
2 purchases

Aside

Subscriptions2
  • Aside Premium3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Aside Premium7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Screen Time Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aside free?
Aside is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Screen Time Control or Aside have ads?
Aside shows ads; Screen Time Control does not.
Which is updated more often, Screen Time Control or Aside?
Screen Time Control ships an update every 3 weeks, and Aside every 3 days. Most recently, Screen Time Control was updated on October 11, 2026 and Aside on October 14, 2026.

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