Comparison

Spinbrek 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

Spinbrek

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

Spinbrek is the only screen time control app blocker that ACTUALLY helps. It's aesthetic enough for your desk setup and strict enough to keep you off your phone. When the urge to scroll hits, spin the wheel instead. Not a fan of pastel colors? There's a dark mode as well! STUCK ON WHAT TO DO NEXT? If you have ADHD or deal with decision paralysis, you know the feeling: you put the phone down, then freeze because you can't pick what to do instead. The wheel makes that choice for you. One spin, one clear next step, no overthinking. Small wins add up, and breaking the scroll habit one spin at a time can change your whole day. SPIN INSTEAD OF SCROLL When you try to open a blocked app, Spinbrek gives you a moment to pause. Spin the wheel and land on something better to do: stretch, read, tidy up, or anything on your own list. YOUR WHEEL, YOUR RULES - Add your own tasks or use a ready-made to-do list - Paste a whole list at once - Strict Mode limits your spins so you commit to your pick FLEXIBLE CONTROLS - Block specific apps or all apps at once - Custom schedules for any time of day - Lock an App: limit how many times a day you can unlock it - Daily time limits per app - Pomodoro Mode - Take short breaks without losing your session - Track your focus session right from your Lock Screen with Live Activities PRIVATE BY DESIGN Spinbrek uses Apple's Screen Time framework to block apps. Your app usage stays on your device, and no account or sign-up is needed. TAKE BACK YOUR TIME No complicated setup. Block the scroll, spin the wheel, and do something that actually matters. Start your 7-day free trial today! ---------------- 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

Spinbrek4 screens
Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Screen Time Control at 5.0 against Spinbrek's 4.3. Spinbrek's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and in-app purchases 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. Spinbrek 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

Screen Time Control holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 7 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Spinbrek ships an update weekly, Screen Time Control fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Spinbrek versus Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpinbrekScreen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (3 ratings)5.0 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings37 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterFortnightly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size148 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEagle NguyenCarlos Velasquez

Customer experience

Spinbrek

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
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

Spinbrek

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 Spinbrek free?
Spinbrek 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, Spinbrek or Screen Time Control?
Screen Time Control is rated higher. Spinbrek averages 4.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Screen Time Control averages 5.0 from 7 ratings.
Do Spinbrek or Screen Time Control have ads?
Screen Time Control shows ads; Spinbrek does not.
Which is updated more often, Spinbrek or Screen Time Control?
Spinbrek ships an update weekly, and Screen Time Control fortnightly. Most recently, Spinbrek was updated on October 7, 2026 and Screen Time Control on October 6, 2026.

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