Comparison

WhyMin Screen Time vs Pirates

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

Head to head
About

WhyMin Screen Time

Features
Read full description

WhyMin is a focus companion that asks "why are you opening this?" and "for how many minutes?" before the apps you open on autopilot. Block the apps you choose — video, social, browsers — with Screen Time. When you try to open one, WhyMin steps in and lets you use it temporarily once you've decided your reason and time. Pick a reason like "Look something up", "Reply or message", "Take a short break", or "Just because", then set a time from 3 to 60 minutes. When time runs out, the guarded apps are blocked again automatically. Each reason button shows how many times you've opened apps today, and the check-in screen shows today's total usage time for your guarded apps — so you notice the "just because" moments. WhyMin isn't about banning your phone. Use it when you need it; only cut the time you spend on autopilot. Main features (free): - A check-in that asks your reason before you open - Session lengths of 3 / 5 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 60 minutes - Block and temporarily unlock one guarded app with Screen Time - Daily counts per reason and today's total usage time - A setup guide for the Shortcuts automation - Countdown display during a session - Dynamic Island / Live Activity support - A simple design that keeps everything on your device WhyMin Premium (optional in-app purchase): - Guard two or more apps - Rewrite the check-in reasons in your own words - Set six "How many minutes?" options per reason - Daily limits on check-ins and total usage time - Home Screen widget Recommended if you: - Open social or video apps without thinking - Want to protect your focus time - Prefer balance over quitting your phone entirely - Want a gentle limit on just the apps you choose Privacy: WhyMin stores your selected apps and session data on your device. It sends no usage data to external servers, and has no ads or tracking. In-app purchases are processed by Apple; the developer never receives your payment information. ◆ WhyMin Premium plans and purchases Plans (prices are shown on the purchase screen): - WhyMin Premium (Monthly): ¥100/month (auto-renewing subscription) - WhyMin Premium (Yearly): ¥1,000/year (auto-renewing subscription) - WhyMin Premium (Lifetime): ¥1,500 (one-time payment) Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; renewal is charged within 24 hours before the period ends. You can manage or cancel subscriptions anytime in your App Store account settings. The lifetime plan is a single payment with no further charges. Terms of Use (EULA): https://inadysensei.github.io/whymin-support/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://inadysensei.github.io/whymin-support/privacy/

About

Pirates

Take back control of your time by blocking distracting apps and websites. Utilize a focus timer with custom soundscapes to enhance productivity. Enjoy a fun, engaging experience with unique characters and ships while gaining clear insights into your progress.

Highlights
  • App and website blocking
  • Focus timer with Pomodoro
  • Customizable soundscapes
  • Engaging character and ship designs
  • On-device blocking via Screen Time API
  • Progress insights
Features
Read full description

A cozy Pomodoro timer with a crew of cat pirates. Start a focus round, sail with your cats, and earn gold when the timer ends. Your distracting apps stay locked until you're done. No accounts, no ads, no tracking. A TIMER THAT FEELS LIKE A GAME • Pick your focus and break lengths, or use the classic 25/5 • Earn gold every time a round ends, not at the end of the week • Recruit 7 cats, dress them in 170+ outfits, and decorate your ship and camp • Come home to a cozy camp with a hammock, a campfire, and cats wandering around while you work BUILT FOR DISTRACTED BRAINS • One big button to start. No setup, no to-do list first • Short rounds with a visible timer, so time stops feeling invisible • Streaks start at 1 day, so a bad week never wipes you out • Mix your own ambient sound: waves, rain, fireplace, lo-fi, and a purring cat KEEPS YOUR PHONE QUIET • Optional app and website blocking with iOS Screen Time. No VPN, no servers • You pick which apps lock during a round. Calls and texts always work • Quit a round early and you lose the reward. Hard mode locks the timer so you can't end it early MORE ON DECK • Live Activity keeps the timer on your lock screen and Dynamic Island • Three daily missions arrive in your mailbox and pay extra gold • Climb 11 pirate ranks from Deckhand to Legend of the Seven Seas • The Captain's log charts every focus minute PERFECT FOR • Students who want study sessions to feel less lonely and more finished • ADHD brains that do better with short rounds and instant rewards • Writers, developers, and anyone whose work needs long stretches of focus PRICING A monthly subscription, an annual subscription with 14 days free, or a one-time lifetime purchase. All unlock the full app. No ads, ever. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your progress stays on your phone. No account, no ads, no tracking. The lock runs on your device through Apple's Screen Time, and your app choices never leave it. The only things the app sends out are anonymous usage statistics and crash reports. Terms of Use: https://cachepapi.github.io/pirates-legal/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://cachepapi.github.io/pirates-legal/privacy/ Study with cat pirates. Your first voyage awaits, Captain!

Screenshots

WhyMin Screen Time4 screens
Pirates4 screens

Verdict

The call

WhyMin Screen Time and Pirates are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. WhyMin Screen Time sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per month and Pirates sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WhyMin Screen Time ships an update every 2 days, Pirates every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
WhyMin Screen Time versus Pirates: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWhyMin Screen TimePirates
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB160 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYUTAKA INADAJohn Jang

In-app purchases

3 purchases

WhyMin Screen Time

Subscriptions2
  • WhyMin Premium (Monthly)$0.491 Month
  • WhyMin Premium (Yearly)$5.991 Year
One-time1
  • WhyMin Premium (Lifetime)$9.99
2 purchases

Pirates

Subscriptions1
  • Annual14 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$29.99

Questions

Is WhyMin Screen Time free?
WhyMin Screen Time is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pirates free?
Pirates is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do WhyMin Screen Time or Pirates have ads?
Neither WhyMin Screen Time nor Pirates shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WhyMin Screen Time or Pirates?
WhyMin Screen Time ships an update every 2 days, and Pirates every 4 days. Most recently, WhyMin Screen Time was updated on September 10, 2026 and Pirates on September 25, 2026.

Other comparisons