# Tempo vs Screen Time Control

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tempo at none against Screen Time Control's 2. Tempo also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). Screen Time Control's advantage is ratings volume (7 vs 1). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Screen Time Control sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Tempo asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Tempo against 5.0 for Screen Time Control. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Screen Time Control has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Tempo ships an update every 4 days, Screen Time Control fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tempo | Screen Time Control |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tempo-screen-time-guard/id6774021443/reviews) | [5.0 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-control-pause/id6781665628/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **7** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 29 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Harry Yuan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1738692027) | [Carlos Velasquez](https://appshunter.io/developer/1814581124) |

## What reviewers say

### Tempo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tempo-screen-time-guard/id6774021443)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Screen Time Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-control-pause/id6781665628)

This app inserts a brief puzzle before you open selected apps, creating a moment of intentionality to reduce mindless scrolling. It offers various puzzles and a premium version for ad removal and full puzzle access.

**Highlights:** Puzzle before app access, Reduces mindless scrolling, Nine calming puzzle types, Customizable app blocking, Intentional use timer, Premium ad-free option

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pause Premium (Monthly) | $9.99 | per month |
| Pause Premium (Annual) | $74.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Tempo free?

Tempo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Screen Time Control free?

Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Tempo or Screen Time Control?

Tempo and Screen Time Control are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 7 ratings respectively.

### Do Tempo or Screen Time Control have ads?

Both Tempo and Screen Time Control show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Tempo or Screen Time Control?

Tempo ships an update every 4 days, and Screen Time Control fortnightly. Most recently, Tempo was updated on October 7, 2026 and Screen Time Control on October 6, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*