Minua vs CTRL
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
Minua
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Minua puts parents in control of screen time β without guilt, arguments, or surveillance. Your child earns fun app access by spending time in the learning apps you choose. Set a ratio (e.g. 6 minutes learning = 1 minute fun), define allowed hours, and walk away. Minua handles the rest. HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose which apps count as learning 2. Choose which apps count as fun 3. Set the earn-to-spend ratio 4. Set a daily time window 5. Create a parent PIN Fun apps are locked until your child earns time. The balance resets daily. BUILT ON APPLE'S PARENTAL CONTROLS Minua uses Appleβs Screen Time controls to restrict the apps you select. Setup requires Screen Time permission and suitable device settings. Follow the in-app setup guidance to configure your familyβs device. COMPLETELY PRIVATE No accounts. No cloud. No servers. No tracking. No analytics. Everything stays on your device. Minua works in airplane mode. PARENT CONTROLS - Configurable earn-to-spend ratio (1:1 to 12:1) - Daily earning cap - Allowed hours window - PIN-protected settings with lockout - App deletion prevention guidance FREE TRIAL Try Minua free for 7 days with full access. Then unlock permanently with a single purchase. No subscription.
CTRL
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CTRL is a focus timer, app blocker, and habit builder in one. The rule is simple: you earn credits by focusing, and you spend them to open the apps that steal your hours. Run out, and the scroll stops until you put in the work. It turns willpower into an economy so you don't have to rely on willpower at all. WHY CTRL WORKS WHEN OTHER FOCUS APPS DON'T Most productivity and screen time apps just block apps and hope you don't switch them off. CTRL doesn't fight your dopamine it puts a price on it. Every distraction costs credits you can only earn through real focused work. That's what makes the habit stick. FOCUS TO EARN β’ Run focus sessions (25, 50, or 90 minutes) and bank credits β’ Keep your phone face-down during a session for a +50% bonus β’ Longer, distraction-free deep work pays the most β’ Build a daily focus habit and track your time like a pro BLOCK THE APPS THAT EAT YOUR TIME β’ Shield TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, X and more using Apple Screen Time β’ Block distracting websites too, so Safari can't reopen the same feeds (Pro) β’ The most addictive apps cost the most credits to open PAY TO OPEN β EVERY TIME β’ Before a blocked app opens, CTRL asks why and charges you credits β’ Every "I'm bored" tap is logged, so you get a real distraction tracker for your worst habits β’ See your triggers and take back control of your attention RECOVERY MODE FOR THE HARD DAYS β’ Binge patterns automatically trigger a fairer economy: earn more, spend less β’ No streaks to shame you, no guilt β built to catch the spiral, not punish it HONEST BY DESIGN β’ Credits are earned by focusing never bought with money β’ Your Screen Time data never leaves your device. CTRL can't see which apps you use. β’ No ads. No tracking. No account or login required. MADE FOR Anyone fighting phone addiction, doomscrolling, and procrastination students, founders, writers, remote workers, and anyone who wants focus, productivity, and self-control on their own terms. A focus app, app blocker, screen time limiter, distraction blocker, and habit tracker rolled into one. CTRL PRO Upgrade to block unlimited apps and websites, schedule unlimited unlock windows, and more. Monthly or annual, with a 7-day free trial on the annual plan. Use it, but pay for it.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Minua at weekly against CTRL's every 6 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Minua sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and CTRL sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Minua ships an update weekly, CTRL every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Minua | CTRL |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Weekly β better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Blue Flame Games | Jibran Ahmed |
In-app purchases
Minua
- Lifetime Unlock$9.99
CTRL
- Monthly$4.991 Month
- Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year









