The best screen time apps for iPhone, honestly compared
Five apps that help you use your phone less, each built a different way. Tap what sounds like you and the list re-sorts to show your best fit first.
What sounds like you? Tap all that apply
The list below re-sorts to put your best fit first.
Opal
Best for: You enjoy streaks, leaderboards and scheduled sessions, and it's a polished, very well-reviewed app.
one sec
Best for: A gentle pause works for you, and it's a polished, very well-reviewed app.
ScreenZen
Best for: You want a free, flexible delay before distracting apps, and its reviews are excellent.
FocusPassMade by us
Best for: You want distracting apps to stay shut by default, with a quiet, deliberate way back in, and nothing tracking you.
Time DebtMade by us
Best for: Pauses are easy to tap through for you, and a budget with real consequences will hold better.
At a glance
| App | Price to start | App Store ratings |
|---|---|---|
| Opal | Free download, paid Pro | 4.7 from about 91,000 ratings |
| one sec | Free, with one sec pro (annual, monthly or lifetime) | 4.8 from about 24,000 ratings |
| ScreenZen | Free | 4.9 from about 54,000 ratings |
| FocusPass (ours) | Free forever tier, optional Pro | New, not many ratings yet |
| Time Debt (ours) | Free core plan, optional Pro | Newer, fewer ratings so far |
Facts from each app's App Store listing, November 2026. Apps marked "made by us" come from Honest Little Apps, the studio behind this page. We list them last on purpose: the picker decides, not us.
FocusPass: App Blocker protects the apps you choose with Apple's own Screen Time shield and lets you take a short, timed Pass when you really need one. When the Pass ends, the app locks again. No account, no ads. Free tier forever.
Free on the App StoreQuestions
What is the best screen time app for iPhone?
It depends on what stops you. Opal suits people motivated by sessions and streaks, one sec and ScreenZen add a pause before distracting apps, and blockers like FocusPass keep apps shut by default.
Why are your own apps on this list?
We make them, so we say so on every card. We list them last and let the picker, based on your answers, decide which app fits.
Where did these facts come from?
From each app's App Store listing in November 2026. Prices and features change, so check the listing before you decide.
Updated November 12, 2026.
- Opal vs one secOpal or one sec? Compare the two popular screen time apps side by side, tap what sounds like you, and see which fits. Plus a calmer third option.
- Opal alternative app blockerOpal is a popular screen time app. If you want a calmer blocker with timed Passes, no account and no ads, compare it with FocusPass and take a 20-second quiz.
- Am I addicted to my phone? 60-second testTwelve honest questions, about a minute, and a score out of 36 that shows how strong your phone’s pull is, which habits drive it, and one fix for each.