Comparison

pause now 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

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

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

pause now4 screens
Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
pause now versus Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterpause nowScreen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings17 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size73 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEagle NguyenCarlos Velasquez

Customer experience

pause now

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

Screen Time Control

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

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
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 pause now free?
pause now 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.
Which has better reviews, pause now or Screen Time Control?
pause now and Screen Time Control are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 7 ratings respectively.
Do pause now or Screen Time Control have ads?
Screen Time Control shows ads; pause now does not.
Which is updated more often, pause now or Screen Time Control?
pause now ships an update every 6 days, and Screen Time Control fortnightly. Most recently, pause now was updated on September 20, 2026 and Screen Time Control on September 19, 2026.

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