Comparison

CTRL vs Butsu

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

Head to head
About

CTRL

Features
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CTRL is a focus timer, app blocker, and habit builder in one. The rule is simple: you earn credits by focusing, and you spend them to open the apps that steal your hours. Run out, and the scroll stops until you put in the work. It turns willpower into an economy so you don't have to rely on willpower at all. WHY CTRL WORKS WHEN OTHER FOCUS APPS DON'T Most productivity and screen time apps just block apps and hope you don't switch them off. CTRL doesn't fight your dopamine it puts a price on it. Every distraction costs credits you can only earn through real focused work. That's what makes the habit stick. FOCUS TO EARN โ€ข Run focus sessions (25, 50, or 90 minutes) and bank credits โ€ข Keep your phone face-down during a session for a +50% bonus โ€ข Longer, distraction-free deep work pays the most โ€ข Build a daily focus habit and track your time like a pro BLOCK THE APPS THAT EAT YOUR TIME โ€ข Shield TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, X and more using Apple Screen Time โ€ข Block distracting websites too, so Safari can't reopen the same feeds (Pro) โ€ข The most addictive apps cost the most credits to open PAY TO OPEN โ€” EVERY TIME โ€ข Before a blocked app opens, CTRL asks why and charges you credits โ€ข Every "I'm bored" tap is logged, so you get a real distraction tracker for your worst habits โ€ข See your triggers and take back control of your attention RECOVERY MODE FOR THE HARD DAYS โ€ข Binge patterns automatically trigger a fairer economy: earn more, spend less โ€ข Miss a day and a freeze covers your streak โ€” built to catch the spiral, not punish it HONEST BY DESIGN โ€ข Credits are earned by focusing never bought with money โ€ข Your Screen Time data never leaves your device. CTRL can't see which apps you use. โ€ข No ads. No tracking. No account or login required. MADE FOR Anyone fighting phone addiction, doomscrolling, and procrastination students, founders, writers, remote workers, and anyone who wants focus, productivity, and self-control on their own terms. A focus app, app blocker, screen time limiter, distraction blocker, and habit tracker rolled into one. CTRL PRO Upgrade to block unlimited apps and websites, schedule unlimited unlock windows, and more. Monthly or annual, with a 7-day free trial on the annual plan. Use it, but pay for it.

About

Butsu

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Block apps automatically with location based blocking+strict screen time limits Reclaim your focus, reduce your screen time, and take back control of your day with Butsu. Whether you are studying for finals, trying to stay productive at work, or simply want to break your doom-scrolling habit, Butsu is the ultimate tool to block distractions before they happen. Unlike basic screen time apps that just give you a warning, Butsu completely physically blocks you from opening distracting apps, ensuring you stay focused on what actually matters. With powerful scheduling and location-based rules, you can create the perfect environment for deep work. Core Features: Strict App Blocking Block your worst digital habits instantly. Create custom groups of distracting apps (like social media or games) and lock them down indefinitely, or set a temporary timer when you need to sit down and focus. Location Geofencing Automatically block apps based on where you are! Set up a location boundary so your phone automatically locks down social media as soon as you arrive at the office, the library, or school. Beautiful Statistics & Heatmaps Track your progress with gorgeous daily and weekly statistics. Use the daily heatmap to see exactly when your screen time spikes, and track your performance against your daily screen time goals. 100% Offline & Privacy First Your habits are your business. Butsu requires no account, no login, and works entirely offline. All of your app usage statistics, location boundaries, and blocking rules are stored securely in an encrypted database directly on your phone. We do not track you or sell your data. Take the first step toward a healthier relationship with your phone. Download Butsu and start building better habits today!

Screenshots

CTRL4 screens
Butsu4 screens

Verdict

The call

CTRL and Butsu are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters โ€” price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them โ€” neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. CTRL sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Butsu sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CTRL ships an update every 3 weeks, Butsu every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
CTRL versus Butsu: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCTRLButsu
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.4 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size2 MB61 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJibran AhmedAndrea Quan

In-app purchases

2 purchases

CTRL

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
1 purchases

Butsu

One-time1
  • Butsu Lifetime Premium$9.99

Questions

Is CTRL free?
CTRL is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Butsu free?
Butsu is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do CTRL or Butsu have ads?
Neither CTRL nor Butsu shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CTRL or Butsu?
CTRL ships an update every 3 weeks, and Butsu every 2 weeks. Most recently, CTRL was updated on October 5, 2026 and Butsu on October 7, 2026.

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