pause now vs Screen Time Control
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Block distracting apps
- Customizable schedules
- Manual blocking sessions
- Earn stars for focus
- Flexible controls
- Simple setup
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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
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.
- Puzzle before app access
- Reduces mindless scrolling
- Nine calming puzzle types
- Customizable app blocking
- Intentional use timer
- Premium ad-free option
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: pause now at none against Screen Time Control's shown. pause now also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs fortnightly). Screen Time Control's advantage is ratings volume (7 vs 1). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. pause now sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month 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.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for pause now 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.
pause now ships an update every 6 days, Screen Time Control fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | pause now | Screen Time Control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (7 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 7 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 days — better | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 73 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Eagle Nguyen | Carlos Velasquez |
Customer experience
pause now
Screen Time Control
In-app purchases
pause now
- pause now Premium Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
- pause now Pro — Annual7 Days trial$19.991 Year
- pause now Premium — Lifetime$90.00
Screen Time Control
- Pause Premium (Monthly)7 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Pause Premium (Annual)7 Days trial$74.991 Year








