Comparison

Normal vs ScrollKick 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

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/

About

ScrollKick Screen Time Control

This app helps you manage your social media usage by setting limits on your scrolling sessions and daily app access. It offers customizable protection levels to interrupt your usage without forcing you to quit entirely, promoting healthier digital habits.

Highlights
  • Session limits for each scrolling session
  • Daily limits and blocked hours
  • Always Blocked for selected apps
  • Four protection levels
  • Custom pause and access timers
  • Screen-time insights
  • Kick Points and progress tracking
Read full description

You open social media for one quick check. Half an hour later, you’re still scrolling. ScrollKick helps stop that moment before it happens — without forcing you to quit social media. Set a Session Limit to keep each visit short. Add a Daily Limit, Blocked Hours, or Always Blocked when you want stronger boundaries. BREAK THE SCROLL, NOT YOUR SOCIAL LIFE When a limit is reached, ScrollKick interrupts the scroll. Choose how hard it should be to continue with four protection levels — from a short mindful pause to stronger protection. Temporary access ends automatically, and the app returns to protection. KEY FEATURES • Session limits for each scrolling session • Daily limits and blocked hours • Always Blocked for selected apps • Four protection levels • Custom pause and access timers • Strict Mode for stronger commitment • Screen-time insights • Kick Points and progress tracking Start free with essential protection for one app. ScrollKick Pro unlocks more apps, stronger protection, custom timers, Strict Mode, and extended insights. ScrollKick uses Apple’s Screen Time technology to protect selected apps on your device. Check social media. Don’t get stuck there. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Normal4 screens
ScrollKick Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Normal at daily against ScrollKick Screen Time Control's weekly. Normal also leads on monetization model (free vs freemium) and ratings volume (24 vs 2). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. Normal sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $5.00 per month and ScrollKick Screen Time Control sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 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 — 4.9 for Normal against 5.0 for ScrollKick Screen Time Control. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Normal has 24 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Normal ships an update daily, ScrollKick Screen Time Control weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Normal versus ScrollKick Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNormalScrollKick Screen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (24 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings24 — better2
Update frequencyDaily — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNormal Engineering Inc.Ihor Pakhomov

Customer experience

Normal

All ratings24 ratings
Positive95.8%
Neutral4.2%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

ScrollKick Screen Time Control

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

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
2 purchases

ScrollKick Screen Time Control

Subscriptions2
  • ScrollKick Pro Monthly$6.991 Month
  • ScrollKick Pro Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Normal free?
Normal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ScrollKick Screen Time Control free?
ScrollKick Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Normal or ScrollKick Screen Time Control?
ScrollKick Screen Time Control is rated higher. Normal averages 4.9 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while ScrollKick Screen Time Control averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Normal or ScrollKick Screen Time Control have ads?
Neither Normal nor ScrollKick Screen Time Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Normal or ScrollKick Screen Time Control?
Normal ships an update daily, and ScrollKick Screen Time Control weekly. Most recently, Normal was updated on September 29, 2026 and ScrollKick Screen Time Control on September 17, 2026.

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