Comparison

Thumb Scroll vs Unscroll

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

Head to head
About

Thumb Scroll

Features
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Your phone is always right there. One tap and you're back in. Thumb Scroll flips it: do something in real life first, then scroll. Block the apps that steal your time β€” TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, games, any app you pick β€” and unlock minutes only after you've earned them. HOW IT WORKS 1. Pick the apps (and sites) to block 2. Do a real action: make your bed, touch grass, drink water, read a book… 3. Snap a photo: AI verifies it and gives you coins 4. Spend coins to unlock minutes on your blocked apps No coins? Apps stay locked. Simple. You don't have to delete your favorite apps. You just have to do something first. WHY IT WORKS (where blocking alone fails) Other apps just say "stop." But your phone is one tap away and you cave. Thumb Scroll gives you a trade instead: a walk for TikTok, a book for Instagram, a glass of water for two minutes of scroll. Your phone comes after life, not instead of it. WHAT'S INSIDE β€’ App & website blocking via Apple's Screen Time API β€’ Coins earned with real actions, validated by photo + AI (no cheating) β€’ 7 daily actions + Object Hunt: find an object with your camera β€’ Store: turn coins into minutes β€’ 3 difficulty levels (Light, Balanced, Intense) that change the coinsβ†’minutes rate β€’ Bedtime & wake schedule + custom time rules (days and time slots) β€’ Daily and weekly reports, a 0–100 score, day streaks β€’ Your thumb mascot: happy when you unplug, worn out when you scroll too much PRIVATE & SECURE Thumb Scroll uses Apple's Screen Time API: all monitoring and blocking run entirely on your device. Your usage data never leaves your phone. EARLY ACCESS Thumb Scroll is in early access: every feature is available for free, no subscription. Jump in and help us make it better. Less scrolling. More living. Terms of Use: https://thumbscroll-7ac7f.web.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://thumbscroll-7ac7f.web.app/privacy

About

Unscroll

Features
Read full description

Close the feed. Open your day. Unscroll is a Screen Time app blocker for the moment you reach for a distracting app without really deciding to. Choose what pulls you in, start a Focus, and those apps stay closed until you are done. No guilt and no unrealistic promises, only a clear boundary you set yourself. WHAT YOU CAN DO β€’ Block social media, short video, news, games and websites you choose β€’ Start a Focus for work, study, sleep, reading or time with people β€’ Set Automations that start and end blocking on your schedule β€’ Build Habits with the days and reminder times you pick β€’ Start a Focus or check your day from Home Screen widgets β€’ See sessions, protected time, streaks and badges in Journey β€’ Understand your Screen Time by day, hour and app A SHIELD THAT STAYS CLOSED While a Focus is running, the apps you chose show the Unscroll Shield instead of the feed. To open one, you first end the Focus in Unscroll. Hard Mode goes further: the Shield offers no way out, and ending a Focus early takes a 30-second wait. AUTOMATIONS FOR YOUR DAY Set blocking once for work hours, evenings, bedtime or reading time. Automations begin and end on the days and hours you choose, even when the app is closed. GIVE THE TIME TO SOMETHING BETTER Blocking makes room; a habit gives that room a direction. Add habits like reading or a walk, choose the days, set a reminder, and log them when you do them. SEE YOUR PROGRESS Journey brings together completed sessions, protected time, your streak and collectible badges. Screen Time views show where your time goes. Reports depend on the data Apple makes available, and Unscroll does not promise a particular reduction. PRIVATE BY DESIGN The apps you protect and your detailed Screen Time activity stay on your iPhone. Unscroll cannot see what you do inside other apps. Sign in with Apple is optional and backs up your progress. UNSCROLL PRO Hard Mode, unlimited Automations and Habits, longer Journey history and extra app icons require Unscroll Pro. Choose a subscription or a one-time lifetime purchase. Prices and terms are shown before you buy, and purchases can be restored in Settings. Unscroll uses Apple Screen Time on iPhone and needs Screen Time access to work. Privacy Policy: https://unscroll.ilyastorun.site/privacy Terms of Use: https://unscroll.ilyastorun.site/terms Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Thumb Scroll4 screens
Unscroll4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Thumb Scroll at every 6 days against Unscroll's fortnightly. Thumb Scroll also leads on iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.0). 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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Thumb Scroll sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Unscroll sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Thumb Scroll ships an update every 6 days, Unscroll fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
Thumb Scroll versus Unscroll: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThumb ScrollUnscroll
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 6 days β€” betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.4 β€” better18.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size44 MB132 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVITO BICAILYAS TORUN

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Thumb Scroll

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Pro$3.997 Days
  • Annual Pro – Offer$24.991 Year
  • Annual Pro3 Days trial$44.991 Year
2 purchases

Unscroll

Subscriptions2
  • Unscroll Pro Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Unscroll Pro Annual3 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Thumb Scroll free?
Thumb Scroll is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Unscroll free?
Unscroll is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Thumb Scroll or Unscroll have ads?
Neither Thumb Scroll nor Unscroll shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Thumb Scroll or Unscroll?
Thumb Scroll ships an update every 6 days, and Unscroll fortnightly. Most recently, Thumb Scroll was updated on October 16, 2026 and Unscroll on October 22, 2026.

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