Comparison

Screen Time Control vs Offscroll

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

Head to head
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/

About

Offscroll

Features
Read full description

Offscroll helps you break compulsive phone habits by inserting a gentle moment of intention before you open distracting apps. Instead of mindlessly scrolling, you pause, reflect, and choose how you spend your time — so your phone works for you, not against you. How it works - Mindful unlock interventions: choose Reason, Affirmation, Breathe, or Pause mode to add a short, intentional step before any blocked app opens. - App & website blocking with custom unlock durations so you can tailor friction without fully giving up access. - Personalized onboarding that measures your scrolling time, highlights what you’re losing, and helps you set a realistic goal. - Dashboard & weekly stats tracking usage, unlock attempts, and trends so you can see progress over time. - Streaks and simple rewards to reinforce consistent, purposeful behavior. Built on Apple Screen Time (Family Controls) for reliable blocking. Private and on-device — no data leaves your phone. Requires Screen Time enabled in Settings. Designed for students, knowledge workers, and creatives who want to reclaim focus without quitting their phone. Install Offscroll to turn autopilot into intention. Offscroll Premium — Subscription Offscroll Premium is an auto-renewable subscription that unlocks unlimited app & website protection, category blocking, repeating focus schedules, and every unlock challenge. Choose a monthly or yearly plan, each with a free trial. 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. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple Account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yD_4L_XJ4CSqtIQZDPKgdk-9yymxGxaZCzPP9RrO4nE/edit?usp=sharing

Screenshots

Screen Time Control4 screens
Offscroll4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Offscroll at none against Screen Time Control's shown. Screen Time Control's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). 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. Screen Time Control sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Offscroll sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Screen Time Control ships an update fortnightly, Offscroll every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Screen Time Control versus Offscroll: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreen Time ControlOffscroll
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (7 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 9 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCarlos VelasquezAliaksei Kernazhytski

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Screen Time Control

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

Offscroll

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Screen Time Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Offscroll free?
Offscroll is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Screen Time Control or Offscroll have ads?
Screen Time Control shows ads; Offscroll does not.
Which is updated more often, Screen Time Control or Offscroll?
Screen Time Control ships an update fortnightly, and Offscroll every 9 days. Most recently, Screen Time Control was updated on September 19, 2026 and Offscroll on September 18, 2026.

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