Comparison

Tempo vs Spinbrek

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

Head to head
About

Tempo

This app encourages intentional screen time by prompting mindful pauses before opening distracting applications. It helps users notice their digital habits, build better routines, and track progress through clear daily and weekly patterns.

Highlights
  • Mindful pause prompts
  • Habit tracking
  • Progress visualization
  • Routine building
  • Shame-free approach
Features
Read full description

PausePass helps you turn screen time into something more intentional. Start with a simple mindful pause before opening distracting apps, notice your habits over time, and build better routines without shame or pressure. PausePass gives you a calm way to check in, choose what comes next, and see your progress through clear daily and weekly patterns.

About

Spinbrek

Regain control of your digital life by blocking distracting applications. Schedule automatic blocking for work or study, or initiate manual sessions. Earn rewards for focused time and watch your productivity improve.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps
  • Customizable schedules
  • Manual blocking sessions
  • Earn stars for focus
  • Flexible controls
  • Simple setup
Features
Read full description

Spinbrek is the only screen time control app blocker that ACTUALLY helps. It's aesthetic enough for your desk setup and strict enough to keep you off your phone. When the urge to scroll hits, spin the wheel instead. Not a fan of pastel colors? There's a dark mode as well! SPIN INSTEAD OF SCROLL When you try to open a blocked app, Spinbrek gives you a moment to pause. Spin the wheel and land on something better to do: stretch, read, tidy up, or anything on your own list. If you have ADHD or deal with decision paralysis, you know the feeling: you put the phone down, then freeze because you can't pick what to do instead. The wheel makes that choice for you. One spin, one clear next step, no overthinking. Small wins add up, and breaking the scroll habit one spin at a time can change your whole day. YOUR WHEEL, YOUR RULES - Add your own tasks or use a ready-made to-do list - Paste a whole list at once - Strict Mode limits your spins so you commit to your pick FLEXIBLE CONTROLS - Block specific apps or all apps at once - Custom schedules for any time of day - Lock an App: limit how many times a day you can unlock it - Daily time limits per app - Pomodoro Mode - Take short breaks without losing your session - Track your focus session right from your Lock Screen with Live Activities PRIVATE BY DESIGN Spinbrek uses Apple's Screen Time framework to block apps. Your app usage stays on your device, and no account or sign-up is needed. TAKE BACK YOUR TIME No complicated setup. Block the scroll, spin the wheel, and do something that actually matters. Start your 7-day free trial today! ---------------- Terms of Service: https://eaglenguyen.github.io/pausenow-legal/terms_of_service Privacy Policy: https://eaglenguyen.github.io/pausenow-legal/privacy_policy

Screenshots

Tempo3 screens
Spinbrek4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tempo at 5.0 against Spinbrek's 4.3. Tempo also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3). Spinbrek's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement 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. Spinbrek sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Tempo asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tempo holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tempo ships an update every 4 days, Spinbrek every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Tempo versus Spinbrek: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTempoSpinbrek
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.3 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings13 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 5 days
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB157 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarry YuanEagle Nguyen

Customer experience

Tempo

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

Spinbrek

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Tempo

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Spinbrek

Subscriptions2
  • pause now Premium Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • pause now Pro — Annual7 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • pause now Premium — Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is Tempo free?
Tempo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Spinbrek free?
Spinbrek is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Tempo or Spinbrek?
Tempo is rated higher. Tempo averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Spinbrek averages 4.3 from 3 ratings.
Do Tempo or Spinbrek have ads?
Tempo shows ads; Spinbrek does not.
Which is updated more often, Tempo or Spinbrek?
Tempo ships an update every 4 days, and Spinbrek every 5 days. Most recently, Tempo was updated on October 7, 2026 and Spinbrek on October 25, 2026.

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