Comparison

FocusFirst Screen Time Control vs pause now

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

Head to head
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/

About

pause now

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

pause now helps you take back control of your screen time by blocking distracting apps so you can focus on what matters most. BLOCK DISTRACTING APPS Set up schedules to automatically block apps during work, study, or bedtime. Or start a manual blocking session whenever you need to focus. STAY ON TRACK Earn stars for every minute you stay focused. Watch your productivity grow day by day. FLEXIBLE CONTROLS - Block specific apps or all apps at once - Set custom schedules for any time of day - Take short breaks without losing your session - Pause schedules when you need flexibility SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE No complicated setup. Just block, focus, and earn rewards for staying on task. Start your 7-day free trial today! Upcoming Features - Open-Limit blocking ---------------- Terms of Service: https://eaglenguyen.github.io/pausenow-legal/terms_of_service Privacy Policy: https://eaglenguyen.github.io/pausenow-legal/privacy_policy

Screenshots

FocusFirst Screen Time Control4 screens
pause now4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: pause now at freemium against FocusFirst Screen Time Control's subscription. pause now also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 26.1). On price, rating, ratings volume 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. FocusFirst Screen Time Control sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and pause now sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 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 — 5.0 for FocusFirst Screen Time Control against 5.0 for pause now. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FocusFirst Screen Time Control ships an update every 2 weeks, pause now every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
FocusFirst Screen Time Control versus pause now: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocusFirst Screen Time Controlpause now
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFreemium — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS26.115.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB73 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMichael RiehlEagle Nguyen

Customer experience

FocusFirst Screen Time Control

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

pause now

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

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
3 purchases

pause now

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$90.00

Questions

Is FocusFirst Screen Time Control free?
FocusFirst Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is pause now free?
pause now is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FocusFirst Screen Time Control or pause now?
FocusFirst Screen Time Control and pause now are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do FocusFirst Screen Time Control or pause now have ads?
Neither FocusFirst Screen Time Control nor pause now shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FocusFirst Screen Time Control or pause now?
FocusFirst Screen Time Control ships an update every 2 weeks, and pause now every 6 days. Most recently, FocusFirst Screen Time Control was updated on September 18, 2026 and pause now on September 20, 2026.

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