# Cortex vs Scroll Survival

The clearest difference is ads: Scroll Survival at none against Cortex's shown. Scroll Survival also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). Cortex's advantage is ratings volume (26 vs 2). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cortex sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Scroll Survival sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 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 — 5.0 for Cortex against 5.0 for Scroll Survival. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cortex has 26 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Cortex ships an update weekly, Scroll Survival every 3 days. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cortex | Scroll Survival |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cortex-less-phone-more-life/id6760275313/reviews) | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scroll-survival-block-apps/id6769904241/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **26** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 147 MB | 114 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [valentino marchesini](https://appshunter.io/developer/1883584552) | [Eric Abraham Vargas Flores](https://appshunter.io/developer/1838234191) |

## What reviewers say

### Cortex

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cortex-less-phone-more-life/id6760275313)

This app intercepts reflexive app openings, providing a brief pause and a choice to stop or continue. It helps users build real control over their attention, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and track progress in breaking mindless scrolling habits.

**Highlights:** Intercepts reflexive app taps, Provides a short pause before opening apps, Offers a clear choice to stop or continue, Helps recognize and break scrolling patterns, Tracks self-intervention progress, Reduces anxiety and improves sleep

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cortex Pro - Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Cortex Pro - Semanal | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Cortex Pro Annual (3-Day Trial) | $39.99 | per year |
| Cortex Pro Annual | $39.99 | per year |
| Cortex Pro Annual (30-Day Trial) | $39.99 | per year |
| Cortex Pro Annual (25% Off) | $39.99 | per year |
| Cortex Pro - Lifetime | $79.99 | one-time |


### Scroll Survival

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scroll-survival-block-apps/id6769904241)

Transform focus time into an engaging game where completing sessions grows your virtual village. Unlock new villagers and buildings by staying off your phone, or complete real-world challenges for early unlocks. Track your progress and maintain streaks in this gamified approach to screen time management.

**Highlights:** Gamified focus sessions, Village building progression, Scheduled blocking routines, App and website blocking, Unlock challenges, Streak tracking, Focus progress insights

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited Weekly - Launch Promo | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Scroll Survival Unlimited Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Scroll Survival Unlimited Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Unlimited Yearly - Launch Promo | $19.99 | per year |
| Scroll Survival Unlimited Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cortex free?

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

### Is Scroll Survival free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Cortex or Scroll Survival?

Cortex and Scroll Survival are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 26 and 2 ratings respectively.

### Do Cortex or Scroll Survival have ads?

Cortex shows ads; Scroll Survival does not.

### Which is updated more often, Cortex or Scroll Survival?

Cortex ships an update weekly, and Scroll Survival every 3 days. Most recently, Cortex was updated on November 5, 2026 and Scroll Survival on November 5, 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.*