Better Island vs CTRL
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Better Island
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Better Island transforms your Dynamic Island into a powerful control hub. Access 16 essential tools without ever opening another app - just hold the Island and everything you need is right there. What you can do: • Focus Timer - run Pomodoro sessions and stay in flow • Water Tracker - log your daily water intake in seconds • Weather - check today and tomorrow's forecast at a glance • Currency - live exchange rates for any currency pair • Parking - set a timer and get notified before time runs out • Pills - medication reminders so you never miss a dose • Translator - speak and instantly translate to any language • Dictaphone - record voice notes on the fly • Teleprompter - scroll scripts hands-free • QR Scanner - scan any QR code or barcode instantly • Stocks - track real-time stock prices • Calories - count your daily calorie intake • Speed Test - measure ping, download and upload speed • My IP - find your IP address and location instantly • Random - flip a coin, roll a dice, pick a number • Unit Converter - convert km, kg, °C, and more Your Dynamic Island was always there. Now it actually does something. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
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 • Run focus sessions (25, 50, or 90 minutes) and bank credits • Keep your phone face-down during a session for a +50% bonus • Longer, distraction-free deep work pays the most • Build a daily focus habit and track your time like a pro BLOCK THE APPS THAT EAT YOUR TIME • Shield TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, X and more using Apple Screen Time • Block distracting websites too, so Safari can't reopen the same feeds (Pro) • The most addictive apps cost the most credits to open PAY TO OPEN — EVERY TIME • Before a blocked app opens, CTRL asks why and charges you credits • Every "I'm bored" tap is logged, so you get a real distraction tracker for your worst habits • See your triggers and take back control of your attention RECOVERY MODE FOR THE HARD DAYS • Binge patterns automatically trigger a fairer economy: earn more, spend less • Miss a day and a freeze covers your streak — built to catch the spiral, not punish it HONEST BY DESIGN • Credits are earned by focusing never bought with money • Your Screen Time data never leaves your device. CTRL can't see which apps you use. • 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 iOS requirement: CTRL at 17.0 against Better Island's 26.0. On price, ads, 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
Both are free to download. Better Island sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month 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.
| Parameter | Better Island | CTRL |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | — | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Heorhii Dorokhov | Jibran Ahmed |
In-app purchases
Better Island
- Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
- Pro Yearly$12.991 Year
CTRL
- Monthly$4.991 Month
- Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year









