Comparison

DOOMSTARE vs Screen Time Control

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

Head to head
About

DOOMSTARE

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DOOMSTARE will break the scrolling loop with a reminder to see yourself. Choose the apps you want DOOMSTARE to watch and set a timer. No lectures. No productivity hacks. No breathing exercises. Just a small moment of awareness. You decide what happens next. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Screen Time Control

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
Read full description

Pause helps you scroll on purpose. Lowers your screen time. We all reach for the same apps on autopilot. Pause puts a small, calming puzzle between you and those apps, so opening one becomes a choice, not a reflex. HOW IT WORKS • Choose the apps you want to pause. • When you try to open one, Pause asks you to solve a quick puzzle first. • Solve it, and the app unlocks for 15 minutes of intentional use. • When time's up, the pause comes back automatically. That tiny moment of friction is enough to break the autopilot—and remind you why you picked up your phone in the first place. NINE CALMING PUZZLES Word Jumble, Mini Crossword, Sliding Tile, Ball Sort, Connect the Colors, Maze, Sixdoku, and more. Every unlock is a small mental reset instead of a mindless tap. DESIGNED FOR INTENTION, NOT RESTRICTION Pause isn't about locking yourself out—it's about adding just enough space to choose. No guilt, no lectures. Just a gentle pause. PAUSE PREMIUM • Unlock all nine puzzles • Remove ads • Start with a 7-day free trial, then annual or monthly Your privacy comes first. Pause uses Apple's Screen Time technology, and the apps you choose never leave your device. Scroll less by accident. Scroll more on purpose. — SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS Pause Premium is an auto-renewing subscription. (7-day free trial for new subscribers) • Annual — $74.99/year • Monthly — $9.99/month Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple Account settings. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you start a subscription. Privacy Policy URL: Terms of Use URL: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

DOOMSTARE4 screens
Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: DOOMSTARE at none against Screen Time Control's shown. On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support 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. DOOMSTARE sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and Screen Time Control sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DOOMSTARE ships an update every 2 weeks, Screen Time Control fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
DOOMSTARE versus Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDOOMSTAREScreen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—7 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size64 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJavier FandosCarlos Velasquez

In-app purchases

2 purchases

DOOMSTARE

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly$1.997 Days
  • Annual$29.991 Year
2 purchases

Screen Time Control

Subscriptions2
  • Pause Premium (Monthly)7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Pause Premium (Annual)7 Days trial$74.991 Year

Questions

Is DOOMSTARE free?
DOOMSTARE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Screen Time Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do DOOMSTARE or Screen Time Control have ads?
Screen Time Control shows ads; DOOMSTARE does not.
Which is updated more often, DOOMSTARE or Screen Time Control?
DOOMSTARE ships an update every 2 weeks, and Screen Time Control fortnightly. Most recently, DOOMSTARE was updated on September 11, 2026 and Screen Time Control on September 19, 2026.

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