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PapaTime

Freemium#69 of 106 in Parental Control Apps

PapaTime: A focused, open-source iOS tool for screen-time budgets, schedules, and app controls. Ranked #69 of 106 in Parental Control Apps by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for iOS families wanting open-source time controls.

3.0/10Editor score

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PapaTime3.0 Visit PapaTime

At a glance

Editor score
3.0 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
iOS families wanting open-source time controls
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
$39.99/yr
Facts checked
22 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Free on-device mode with offline session enforcement
- Telegram controls for schedules, balances, sessions, and messages
- Open-source app with chores, token rewards, and app handling
Where it doesn't
- Works on iOS devices only
- Does not offer content filtering or location tracking
- Remote management requires a paid subscription

Our verdict on PapaTime

PapaTime is an iPhone and iPad parental-control app for families managing children’s screen time. Parents set a daily screen-time ceiling through Telegram, while children manage available time on the device. Its controls cover bedtime windows, one-night overrides, app categories, always-allowed apps, and device locking when a session reaches zero. Optional chores and token rewards add a household routine layer, while the open-source implementation is available under AGPL-3.0.

The pricing structure separates on-device control from remote management. The Free on-device plan costs $0 and supports free on-device use. Managed backend monthly costs $4.99 per month and adds remote management from Telegram plus one account for all children. Managed backend annual costs $39.99 per year with the same highlights. Telegram is central to the paid experience: parents can use text and voice messages, review usage and balances, and check active sessions. Stripe processes remote subscriptions, while Apple FamilyControls and Apple DeviceActivity support device-level enforcement and activity handling.

PapaTime is a focused choice for iOS families that want screen-time budgeting rather than a broad monitoring suite. Offline enforcement is useful when sessions need to continue under the device’s controls, and the three-tier app handling system distinguishes budgeted, lockdown, and always-allowed apps. The trade-off is a narrow platform and feature scope: it works on iOS, does not offer content filtering or location tracking, and remote control depends on Telegram and a subscription. Choose PapaTime for open-source iPhone and iPad time controls, rewards, and parent messaging; choose an alternative if cross-platform coverage, location features, or content filtering are priorities.

Your product? Our editors can test PapaTime in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

PapaTime pricing

Plans Free planFreemium A usable free plan; paid tiers unlock the limits above. Prices checked 22 Sep 2026.

See plans on trypapatime.com

All 3 PapaTime plans and prices →

PapaTime fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	$39.99/yr
Device platforms	Ios
Content filtering	Not verified
Screen-time schedules	Yes
App blocking	Yes
Activity reports	Yes
Location tracking	No
Device limit	Not verified
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile, Self-hosted
Platforms	iOS
Compliance & security	GDPR
Support	Email, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business (editorial estimate)
Integrations	6 integrations: Telegram, Stripe, Firebase, AssemblyAI, Apple FamilyControls, Apple DeviceActivity
Pricing	Free plan (source)
Website	trypapatime.com
Facts checked	22 Sep 2026

PapaTime integrations

PapaTime lists 6 integrations on its own site.

Telegram
Stripe
Firebase
AssemblyAI
Apple FamilyControls
Apple DeviceActivity

Alternatives to PapaTime

See all PapaTime alternatives →

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Featured on iTechGuides

PapaTime is listed in our Parental Control Apps directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update