Comparison

Align vs Aside

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

Head to head
About

Align

Read full description

Most of the time you open Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, you didn't decide to. Your hand just moved. Align is the pause between the impulse and the app: a moment to notice what you're about to do, and choose on purpose instead. ## HOW IT WORKS Choose the apps you want to use more intentionally. Each time you try to open one, Align pauses for a moment and asks whether this is what you really want to do. If you choose to continue, you can exchange your Energy Points for access to that app. If you don't have enough Energy Points, you'll earn them by completing a short habit. β€’ Choose the apps that distract you most β€’ Pause before opening them β€’ Exchange Energy Points for app access β€’ Complete short habits whenever you need to earn more Energy Points β€’ Build healthier habits without giving up the apps you enjoy THE LOOP Pick a habit, start the timer, and follow it through. When it's done, you earn energy, and energy converts into unlock time for the apps you've protected. Healthy habits come first. Scrolling comes second, and on purpose. DESIGNED TO FEEL CALM Align isn't built to gamify your attention or guilt you into "less screen time." It's quiet and minimal, built around reflection: short moments to notice your triggers, your patterns, and what you actually want your time to go toward. YOUR DATA STAYS YOURS Align uses Apple's Screen Time and Family Controls frameworks directly on your device. We never see which apps you use or when. That stays on your phone. Align is for anyone tired of reaching the end of the day without knowing where their attention went, and who wants a calmer, more intentional relationship with their phone. Terms of Use (EULA): https://align-website-cyan.vercel.app/terms

About

Aside

Features
Read full description

Aside helps you block distracting apps, reduce doomscrolling, and stay focused when it matters most. Whether you are studying, working deeply, sleeping better, or spending less time on social media, Aside gives you a calmer way to take control of your screen time. No login. No judgment. No pressure. Create intentional blocking sessions for social apps, video apps, games, and anything that pulls your attention. Start a focus session, put your phone aside, and let Aside help you stay committed through the moments that usually slip away. Aside is designed to feel simple, warm, and motivating. It is never strict or overwhelming. A small purple companion named Pip keeps you going, and gentle streaks show your consistency building over time, without guilt if you miss a session. KEY BENEFITS - Block distracting apps during focus sessions so you can actually start - Reduce doomscrolling and impulsive checking with simple, real-time limits - Set recurring schedules for the times you need focus most, like mornings or late nights - Build streaks and track your progress without pressure - Take short challenges that help you form better phone habits - See honest insights into your screen time trends so you know what is changing - Stay motivated with Pip, your friendly companion USE ASIDE WHEN YOU WANT TO - Stop wasting time on social media - Focus on work or study - Avoid late-night scrolling - Build a digital detox routine - Create healthier phone habits - Protect your attention during deep work Aside uses Apple’s Screen Time API to help you select and block distracting apps on your device. Your app selections and blocking activity stay private on your iPhone. No account. No cloud tracking. Take a break from distractions. Put them aside. Aside Premium Aside Premium is an auto-renewable subscription with weekly and yearly options. Pricing and duration are shown clearly before purchase in the app. No account is required to use Aside. Purchases are managed through your Apple ID. You can restore your subscription in the app if you reinstall or switch devices. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://asideblocker.com/en/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Support: https://asideblocker.com/en/help

Screenshots

Align4 screens
Aside4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Align at none against Aside's shown. Aside's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Align sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Aside sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Align ships an update every 3 weeks, Aside every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
Align versus Aside: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAlignAside
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 days β€” better
AdsNo β€” betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.2 β€” better16.4
Further details β€” not scored
Size44 MB58 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlisher AbdulinKioshi Okamoto

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Align

Subscriptions2
  • Align Premium Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Align Premium Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
2 purchases

Aside

Subscriptions2
  • Aside Premium3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Aside Premium7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Align free?
Align is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aside free?
Aside is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Align or Aside have ads?
Aside shows ads; Align does not.
Which is updated more often, Align or Aside?
Align ships an update every 3 weeks, and Aside every 3 days. Most recently, Align was updated on September 29, 2026 and Aside on September 10, 2026.

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