Comparison

Descreened vs Normal

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

Head to head
About

Descreened

Features
Read full description

Descreened blocks distracting apps and websites on your terms — unlock with a challenge, or turn on strict mode and wait it out until the next day. No account, no sign-up; everything runs on your device with Apple Screen Time. Start with a 3-day free trial. BLOCK • Apps and websites — individually, or grouped (social media, games, news) • On a schedule and/or with a daily time limit • Switch on strict mode — no unlocking once blocked; forced to wait it out* * You still get 3 emergency unlocks (15 minutes each) every 30 days. UNLOCK METHODS • Breathing • Push-ups • Squats • Steps • Completed to-dos • PIN code • NFC tag • QR code • Apple Health goals SEE YOUR USAGE • Screen time • Pickups • Notifications HEALTH • See how your screen time lines up with your Apple Health data • Spot day-to-day patterns across sleep, activity, heart rate, and steps • Computed privately on your device — your health data is never shared WHY DESCREENED • No lengthy sign-up process • Runs on-device with Apple Screen Time • Anonymous analytics only — your data stays yours Make your phone work for you — not the other way around. SUBSCRIPTION Descreened is an auto-renewing subscription: a 3-day free trial, then $1.99/month. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at the end of the free trial and renews monthly unless canceled at least 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple Account settings. Privacy Policy: https://descreened.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://descreened.com/terms

About

Normal

This app helps you reduce phone usage by blocking selected applications by default. To access blocked apps, you must physically scan an NFC tag, QR code, or barcode, or be at a specific location. It offers granular control, timed unblocks, and scheduling to help you regain control of your screen time.

Highlights
  • Block apps via NFC, QR codes, and barcodes
  • Use any NFC tag, QR code, or barcode
  • Unblock/block specific apps
  • Timed unblocks
  • Scheduling
  • Granular control
  • Bypass prevention options
Read full description

Normal actually makes you use your phone less by keeping selected apps blocked by default. To unblock you have to physically scan an NFC Tag, QR Code or use a Location. This can be any NFC Tag, QR Code, Barcode, Location you set in the app. This 'opt-in' approach is backed by research and actual use. Normal is made to be the most powerful screen time app available. Saving your hours of your day. It's fully open-source and no features are behind paywalls. It can also be made to be impossible to bypass. Highlights of Normal: - Block Apps via NFC Tags, QR Codes and Barcodes - Use ANY NFC Tag, QR Code or Barcode - Unblock/Block specific Apps - Timed Unblocks - Emergency Unblocks - Scheduling - Complete Granular Control - Can make it as easy or as hard to bypass Normal was made because of issues with some other screen time apps. - Other screen time apps are easy to bypass. Normal can be made to be impossible to bypass, or easy to bypass. You have complete control. - Most other screen time apps work on opt-out strategy, where you have access to all apps, then lose access through usage. - Normal works on opt-in strategy. The apps you have blocked are always blocked, to use them you have to physically get up and scan your NFC tag or QR Code. - Most screen time apps are paid, either one-time or more commonly, subscriptions. There are no paid features. Everything is free and open-source. - Normal is privacy-focused. We don't log any data, everything stays on device. Since we're open source, you can check our code and confirm. - Normal allows timed unlocks. Other NFC/QR Code blockers don't have this. If you want to use an app for 15min, you can unlock it for 15min only. You don't have to remember to reblock. Normal was made by actual users, research on smartphone addiction and developments in dumbphones in-mind. If you want to turn your iPhone into a dumbphone, you can. Block all smart apps, block the app store, prevent disabling normal (via preventing delete and the shortcuts trick). Now you have a dumbphone, which you can't make smart without your NFC Tag (which you can make as difficult as you need). If you want a semi-dumbphone, you can. Do the above but have some apps like maps, music, messaging, etc. If you're a professional who needs access to apps distracting sometimes, Normal is for you! Block all distractions with Normal. Set schedules for you work apps or used timed unblocks. Need 15min to post content or check email? You can do that! You just have to physically get up and scan your NFC Tag, QR Code, or Barcode. The apps will automatically reblock after your timer is over. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Descreened4 screens
Normal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Normal at every 2 days against Descreened's every 11 days. 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Descreened sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per month and Normal sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $5.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Descreened ships an update every 11 days, Normal every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Descreened versus Normal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDescreenedNormal
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.9 (43 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—43 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size98 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHayden Rhodea LLCNormal Engineering Inc.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Descreened

Subscriptions1
  • Descreened3 Days trial$1.991 Month
9 purchases

Normal

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly Support$5.001 Month
  • Monthly Support$10.001 Month
  • Monthly Support$20.001 Month
One-time6
  • One-time Donation$5.00
  • One-time Donation$10.00
  • One-time Donation$20.00
Show 3 more
  • One-time Donation$50.00
  • One-time Donation$100.00
  • One-time Donation$200.00

Questions

Is Descreened free?
Descreened is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Normal free?
Normal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Descreened or Normal have ads?
Neither Descreened nor Normal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Descreened or Normal?
Descreened ships an update every 11 days, and Normal every 2 days. Most recently, Descreened was updated on October 8, 2026 and Normal on October 31, 2026.

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