Comparison

GoldTime Shield 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

GoldTime Shield

Features
Read full description

GoldTime is a screen time management app that helps you pause before opening apps out of habit. Group the apps you tend to get lost in—social media, videos, games, and more—and choose how you want to block them. When you reach a set limit, the app is locked, prompting you to consciously decide whether to keep using it or stop. There are three blocking modes: • Daily Limit Set a daily usage limit. Your available time decreases based on how long you actually use the apps. • Scheduled Blocking Block selected apps during specific times of the day. • Cooldown Lock Use an app for a while, then have it locked so you can take a short break. When you reach your limit, the choices are simple: • Stop using the app • Use it for just 1 more minute • Watch an ad for additional time GoldTime isn’t designed to block apps unconditionally. It adds a small cost to the choice of continuing, turning mindless use into a conscious decision. Key Features • Manage up to 5 groups and 49 apps • Organize apps into custom groups such as social media, videos, and games • Daily limits, scheduled blocking, and cooldown locks • Set different daily-limit, scheduled-blocking, and cooldown rules for each day of the week • Limits that decrease based on actual app usage • Lock screen displayed when a limit is reached • Choose to stop, extend by 1 minute, or watch an ad for more time • Review usage trends with weekly and monthly records • Track ad-free days and time spent beyond your limits GoldTime’s goal isn’t to show you more ads. If you close the app without watching one, you’ve won the day. Time is gold. Don’t just spend it—make it count.

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

GoldTime Shield4 screens
FocusFirst Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: GoldTime Shield at none against FocusFirst Screen Time Control's 3. GoldTime Shield also leads on iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.1). FocusFirst Screen Time Control's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence 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. FocusFirst Screen Time Control sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. GoldTime Shield asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GoldTime Shield ships an update weekly, FocusFirst Screen Time Control every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
GoldTime Shield versus FocusFirst Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGoldTime ShieldFocusFirst Screen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Subscription
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.0 — better26.1
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYunHak LeeMichael Riehl

In-app purchases

None

GoldTime Shield

No in-app purchases

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 GoldTime Shield free?
GoldTime Shield is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is FocusFirst Screen Time Control free?
FocusFirst Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do GoldTime Shield or FocusFirst Screen Time Control have ads?
GoldTime Shield shows ads; FocusFirst Screen Time Control does not.
Which is updated more often, GoldTime Shield or FocusFirst Screen Time Control?
GoldTime Shield ships an update weekly, and FocusFirst Screen Time Control every 2 weeks. Most recently, GoldTime Shield was updated on September 30, 2026 and FocusFirst Screen Time Control on October 6, 2026.

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