Comparison

Bastion vs FocusFirst Screen Time Control

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

Head to head
About

Bastion

This app helps you reduce distractions and break phone addiction by requiring you to walk to unlock apps. Earn screen time with real steps, fostering healthier habits without deleting your favorite applications.

Highlights
  • Walk to earn screen time with step tracking
  • App blocker for social media and websites
  • Screen time control without relying on discipline
  • Live unlock timer
  • Lock Screen and Dynamic Island support
  • Save earned minutes
  • Daily streaks for consistency
Features
Read full description

A privacy-first app blocker for screen time control that helps you reduce distractions and stay focused by walking to unlock apps. ScrollBlock is a screen time control app and app blocker designed to help you stop scrolling, break phone addiction, and build real focus by turning movement into screen time. Instead of relying on willpower, ScrollBlock adds smart friction. You walk to unlock your apps. You earn screen time with real steps. You stay in control. If you struggle with constant scrolling, social media distractions, or losing hours on your phone, ScrollBlock helps you reset your habits without forcing you to quit the apps you enjoy. HOW IT WORKS Choose the apps you want to control such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, Snapchat, X, and more. ScrollBlock uses Apple’s Screen Time system to block apps completely, making them difficult to bypass. To unlock your apps, you need to move. Every 60 steps earns 1 minute of screen time. Walk more to unlock more. No shortcuts. Movement replaces mindless scrolling. FEATURES Walk to earn screen time with real-time step tracking Powerful app blocker for social media apps, websites, and categories Screen time control without relying on discipline Live unlock timer showing your remaining screen time Lock Screen and Dynamic Island support for quick tracking Save earned minutes and use them anytime Daily streaks to build consistency and better habits Insights dashboard to track reduced screen time and progress Helps reduce phone addiction and improve focus naturally WHY IT WORKS Most screen time apps depend on discipline alone. ScrollBlock changes your behaviour by introducing real-world friction. The simple act of walking creates a pause between impulse and action. This helps break the habit of constantly checking your phone while building a healthier routine. You do not delete your apps. You earn your screen time. WHO IT IS FOR ScrollBlock is built for anyone who wants better control over their phone usage. Whether you are trying to reduce screen time, improve focus, study without distractions, or stop scrolling late at night, this app gives you a practical and effective system that actually works. PRIVACY All step tracking happens on-device. App usage data never leaves your phone. No tracking. No accounts required. SUBSCRIPTION ScrollBlock offers a 3-day free trial on the yearly plan and a monthly plan. Subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple ID settings. Purchases can be restored when using the same Apple ID. Privacy Policy: https://scrollblock.io/privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://scrollblock.io/terms-of-service

About

FocusFirst Screen Time Control

This app helps you reclaim your time by blocking distracting applications and encouraging focused activity. It's designed to foster a more deliberate relationship with your phone, reducing mindless scrolling and guilt while building momentum towards your goals.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps
  • Earn screen time through focused activity
  • Build healthy boundaries
  • Reduce mindless scrolling
  • Increase momentum towards goals
  • Promotes deliberate phone use
Features
Read full description

Take back control of your time. FocusFirst helps you spend less time scrolling and more time on the things that actually move your life forward. Whether you’re studying, building a business, learning a language, reading, exercising, or simply trying to be more intentional with your day, FocusFirst gives you a better way to protect your attention. Most apps compete for your focus. FocusFirst helps you reclaim it. Instead of relying on willpower alone, FocusFirst helps you build healthy boundaries around the apps that pull you off course. Block the distractions that interrupt your momentum, focus on something meaningful, and earn time back as you make progress. It’s a simple idea, but it changes the feeling of using your phone: - less mindless checking - less guilt - less friction when you want to stay on track - more momentum toward the work, habits, and routines you care about FocusFirst is built for people who want a calmer, more deliberate relationship with their phone. Not punishment. Not shame. Just a clearer way to stay aligned with your priorities. Focus first. Scroll later. FocusFirst is free to download, but a subscription is required to use the app. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Bastion4 screens
FocusFirst Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Bastion at free with in-app purchases against FocusFirst Screen Time Control's subscription. Bastion also leads on iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.1). FocusFirst Screen Time Control's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Bastion sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and FocusFirst Screen Time Control sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Bastion against 5.0 for FocusFirst Screen Time Control. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bastion ships an update weekly, FocusFirst Screen Time Control every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 29, 2026 and September 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Bastion versus FocusFirst Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBastionFocusFirst Screen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.6 — better26.1
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAutomation LaunchpadMichael Riehl

Customer experience

Bastion

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

FocusFirst Screen Time Control

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Bastion

Subscriptions2
  • Bastion Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Bastion Yearly3 Days trial$39.991 Year
3 purchases

FocusFirst Screen Time Control

Subscriptions3
  • Focus First | Monthly7 Days trial$8.991 Month
  • Focus First | Yearly1 Month trial$39.991 Year
  • Focus First | Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Bastion free?
Bastion is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FocusFirst Screen Time Control free?
FocusFirst Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Bastion or FocusFirst Screen Time Control?
Bastion and FocusFirst Screen Time Control are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Bastion or FocusFirst Screen Time Control have ads?
Bastion shows ads; FocusFirst Screen Time Control does not.
Which is updated more often, Bastion or FocusFirst Screen Time Control?
Bastion ships an update weekly, and FocusFirst Screen Time Control every 2 weeks. Most recently, Bastion was updated on June 29, 2026 and FocusFirst Screen Time Control on September 4, 2026.

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