# FocusGate vs Pause

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pause at none against FocusGate's 2. Pause also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). FocusGate's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. FocusGate sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Pause asks for nothing beyond the download.

FocusGate ships an update every 3 weeks, Pause every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FocusGate | Pause |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focusgate-screen-time-control/id6761919802/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **6** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Size | 186 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [FocusGate](https://appshunter.io/developer/1892077601) | [UPSTART INNOVATION, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1845780835) |

## What reviewers say

### FocusGate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focusgate-screen-time-control/id6761919802)

This app helps you reclaim time lost to scrolling by setting up personalized "Focus Gates." When you try to open distracting apps, it presents your priorities and tasks first, offering a gentle nudge to refocus. Track your progress and build momentum towards better digital habits.

**Highlights:** Customizable Focus Gates for any app, Personalized task reminders before app opens, Mid-session "Doom Scroll" check-ins, Real-time interrupts redirect to Focus Gates, Daily Focus Score and progress dashboard, Shareable progress cards with cosmic artwork

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly Subscription | $14.99 | per year |


### Pause

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pause-stop-doomscrolling/id6795828605)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FocusGate free?

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

### Is Pause free?

Pause is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do FocusGate or Pause have ads?

Pause shows ads; FocusGate does not.

### Which is updated more often, FocusGate or Pause?

FocusGate ships an update every 3 weeks, and Pause every 4 days. Most recently, FocusGate was updated on October 5, 2026 and Pause on September 25, 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.*