Comparison

App Blocker vs Screen Time Control

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

Head to head
About

App Blocker

Features
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The app blocker that actually holds the line. A Screen Time limit you can dismiss in one tap isn't really blocking anything. Grindly is the app blocker that physically locks the apps wrecking your focus β€” until you've done what matters. No willpower required. Just lock in. HOW IT WORKS β€’ Pick the apps to block β€” socials, games, whatever hijacks your focus β€’ Set your daily non-negotiables β€” gym, deep work, reading… β€’ Finish them to unlock, and watch your streak grow A REAL BLOCKER, NOT JUST A TIMER Grindly uses Apple Screen Time to actually shield your apps. Run a hard Lock-In Session (a focus timer you can't casually dismiss) or a task-gate that keeps apps locked until your non-negotiables are done. Everything runs on-device and private β€” your app selections are never readable by us. BLOCK APPS, BUILD STREAKS β€’ A "don't break the chain" streak grid β€’ Current and best streak, completion rate, and a discipline score β€’ Locked-in hours plus weekly and monthly momentum BUILT TO BEAT DISTRACTION Doomscrolling. Phone addiction. Exam grind. A real dopamine detox. Whatever you're locking in for, Grindly keeps you accountable β€” and makes showing up feel good. HONEST PRICING Grindly Free is genuinely useful: a block profile, your non-negotiables, and the full lock-in and streak loop. Go Pro for unlimited tasks and block profiles, multiple Lock-In Sessions, advanced discipline analytics, optional Anti-Cheat photo check-ins, an AI discipline coach, and premium themes. Simple monthly or annual pricing with a clear free trial β€” no predatory weekly billing, cancel anytime. Block the apps. Lock in. For real. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://betteryouknow.github.io/grindly/privacy.html

About

Screen Time Control

Features
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You picked up your phone to check one thing. That was forty minutes ago. Focus Control shows you where your day actually goes and gives you the tools to take it back. SEE THE REAL NUMBER Your screen time, at a glance. See which apps took the most time and how today compares to yesterday. No guessing, no judgment, just the truth about where your hours went. BLOCK WHAT PULLS YOU IN Choose the apps that break your focus and shut them out. Instagram, TikTok, whatever yours are. When you try to open one, it simply won’t be there. FOCUS SESSIONS THAT ACTUALLY HOLD Start a session and the distractions disappear until you’re done. Work, study, dinner, sleep, pick your window and stay in it. SET A LIMIT, GET A NUDGE Give yourself a daily allowance. Focus Control warns you as you approach it, so you can stop by choice instead of noticing at midnight. DOWNTIME ON A SCHEDULE Set the hours that belong to you, mornings, evenings, weekends, and let them stay that way automatically. BUILT TO BE PRIVATE Focus Control only ever sees how long you spend in an app, never what you do inside it. Your data stays on your device. Take back one hour a day, and you get fifteen days back a year. Privacy Policy: https://screentimer-privacypolicy.blogspot.com/p/privacy-policy.html Terms of Use: https://sites.google.com/view/terms-of-use-00/home

Screenshots

App Blocker4 screens
Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: App Blocker 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 Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. App Blocker sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Screen Time Control sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

App Blocker ships an update every 3 weeks, Screen Time Control every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 5 level
App Blocker versus Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterApp BlockerScreen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 11 days β€” better
AdsNo β€” betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size8 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTaylan KaradenizVenish Rakholia

In-app purchases

2 purchases

App Blocker

Subscriptions2
  • Grindly Pro Monthly$5.991 Month
  • Grindly Pro Annual3 Days trial$29.991 Year
3 purchases

Screen Time Control

Subscriptions3
  • Focus Control Pro Weekly$0.997 Days
  • Focus Control Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Focus Control Pro Yearly$9.991 Year

Questions

Is App Blocker free?
App Blocker 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 App Blocker or Screen Time Control have ads?
Screen Time Control shows ads; App Blocker does not.
Which is updated more often, App Blocker or Screen Time Control?
App Blocker ships an update every 3 weeks, and Screen Time Control every 11 days. Most recently, App Blocker was updated on October 6, 2026 and Screen Time Control on October 8, 2026.

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