Apple Screen Time vs StayFree

Apple Screen Time—Visit StayFree—Visit

Apple Screen Time #5 in Screen Time Management Apps —/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Apple

vs

StayFree #6 in Screen Time Management Apps —/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit StayFree

• Apple Screen Time fits best

  Apple users wanting built-in controls

• StayFree fits best

  Free cross-platform usage tracking and limits

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Side by side

Feature	Apple Screen Time —/10 Visit ↗	StayFree —/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	—	—
Ranking	#5 in Screen Time Management Apps	#6 in Screen Time Management Apps
Best for	Apple users wanting built-in controls	Free cross-platform usage tracking and limits
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	iOS, macOS	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support	Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Apple Screen Time 0/4 · StayFree 4/4
Usage reports	Not published	✓ (best)
Application limits	Not published	✓ (best)
Scheduled limits	Not published	✓ (best)
Focus sessions	Not published	✓ (best)
Specs
Devices included	Not published	Not published
Supported platforms	Not published	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Wear OS
Usage history retention	Not published	Not published
Our review
Pros	Free and built into iOS and macOS devices Combines reports, schedules, limits, and restrictions Adds Family Sharing, iCloud, and communication controls	Covers web, desktop, mobile, browsers, and Wear OS Combines usage charts, limits, blocking, and scheduled focus mode Supports synchronization, overuse reminders, sleep mode, and CSV export
Cons	Limited to iOS and macOS platforms Less specialized enforcement depth than dedicated blockers Location sharing belongs to Family Sharing and Find My	CSV is the listed format for usage-data exports Controls focus on apps and websites rather than broader device management Managing coverage across platforms may require multiple apps or extensions
Our verdict	Apple Screen Time is a built-in feature for iPhone, iPad, and Mac that helps parents manage children’s device use. It provides app and website activity reports, Downtime schedules, app limits, content and privacy restrictions,… Read the review →	StayFree is a screen time management app for people who want to understand and reduce device usage across phones, computers, browsers, and Wear OS. It records app and website activity, presents usage history through charts and statistics,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Apple Screen Time — where it wins

  • Free and built into iOS and macOS devices
  • Combines reports, schedules, limits, and restrictions
  • Adds Family Sharing, iCloud, and communication controls

  Where it doesn't

  • Limited to iOS and macOS platforms
  • Less specialized enforcement depth than dedicated blockers
  • Location sharing belongs to Family Sharing and Find My

• StayFree — where it wins

  • Covers web, desktop, mobile, browsers, and Wear OS
  • Combines usage charts, limits, blocking, and scheduled focus mode
  • Supports synchronization, overuse reminders, sleep mode, and CSV export

  Where it doesn't

  • CSV is the listed format for usage-data exports
  • Controls focus on apps and websites rather than broader device management
  • Managing coverage across platforms may require multiple apps or extensions

• Apple Screen Time—/10 · Free plan

  A free, built-in choice for Apple families needing core screen time controls.

  Visit AppleFull verdict →
• StayFree—/10 · Free plan

  A broad free option for tracking usage, setting limits, and blocking distractions.

  Visit StayFreeFull verdict →