BePresent bets you'll behave when your own money is on the line — focus sessions, beast mode, streaks, and a stake you set against yourself. The catch: you're also the referee, and self-forgiveness is undefeated. Five apps people switch to, honestly compared: one is ours (bias disclosed).
A stake against your own goals is easy to waive when you slip — there's no opponent to collect.
Streaks and self-stakes are solo tools. If a real opponent is what moves you, BePresent doesn't have one.
Around $59.99/year sits in the upper half of the category; free and cheaper options exist below.
our app — bias disclosed, judge accordingly
people who want a solid free blocker without paying
Progressive open-delays, scroll interruptions and per-app goals to break automatic habits.
people who want polished, hard-to-bypass focus blocking and deep analytics
Scheduled focus sessions and Deep Focus that block chosen apps with no bypass, plus a focus score and analytics.
people who want elegant, native blocking with light social sharing
Rules, a strict mode, and 'squads' where you share your screen-time numbers — deeply iOS-native and design-forward.
people who want a gentle pause and autonomy rather than hard blocking
Adds a deep-breath pause before each app opens, then asks if you still want to continue — friction, not blocking.
| BePresent | Pauza | |
|---|---|---|
| Core approach | Focus sessions, app limits and a strict 'beast mode', with streaks and a money stake you set against yourself. | Rewards time OFF your phone: every minute away from social media becomes tokens, builds streaks, and can be staked in head-to-head bets with a friend — lowest screen time wins the pot. |
| Price | around $59.99/year | free core app; optional PRO tier |
| Social layer | streaks and a stake you set against yourself — there's no head-to-head opponent | real head-to-head stakes with friends — lowest screen time wins the pot (tokens only, no cash value) |
| When you slip | you lose the money you staked against your own goal — and you're the referee | streaks freeze instead of breaking; a lost bet costs tokens, never money |
| Privacy | usage processed by the app to power limits and streaks | per-app usage and your blocked-apps list never leave the device; friends only see an anonymous daily minute total |
| Platform | iPhone | iPhone only (iOS 26+) |
Full breakdown: Pauza vs BePresent
This page is written by the team behind Pauza, so read it with that in mind — we've kept every claim factual and point out where the other app is genuinely the better choice. Prices are approximate as of July 2026 and change often; always check the App Store for current pricing. All product names are trademarks of their respective owners; Pauza is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them.
Pricing for BePresent is around $59.99/year. Prices are approximate and change — the App Store listing is the source of truth. Pauza's core is free on iOS 26+: tracking, tokens, streaks, a daily Hard Mode block and friend challenges cost nothing. PRO is $59.99/year or $9.99/month and only lifts the caps.
Every iPhone subscription cancels the same way, BePresent included: open Settings, tap your name at the top, then Subscriptions, then BePresent, then Cancel Subscription. Deleting the app does not stop billing, and you keep access until the end of the period you already paid for.
What Pauza costs, in full: pricing & plans
ScreenZen — free open-delays, scroll interruptions and per-app goals. Pauza's core (tracking, tokens, streaks, friend challenges) is also free on iOS 26+.
Yes — Pauza's whole model: you and a friend both stake tokens head-to-head, and the lowest screen time wins the pot (tokens only, no cash value — losing never costs money, but there's a real person collecting).
Opal — focus sessions, hard-to-bypass Deep Focus and analytics (~$99.99/year), or Jomo for a similar toolset at ~$29.99/year. Neither uses money stakes. Prices are approximate — check the App Store.
No — pricing for BePresent is around $59.99/year. Prices are approximate and change — the App Store listing is the source of truth. Pauza's core is free on iOS 26+: tracking, tokens, streaks, a daily Hard Mode block and friend challenges cost nothing. PRO is $59.99/year or $9.99/month and only lifts the caps.
Pricing for BePresent is around $59.99/year. Prices are approximate and change — the App Store listing is the source of truth. For comparison, Pauza is free with an optional PRO tier at $59.99/year or $9.99/month.
Every iPhone subscription cancels the same way, BePresent included: open Settings, tap your name at the top, then Subscriptions, then BePresent, then Cancel Subscription. Deleting the app does not stop billing, and you keep access until the end of the period you already paid for.
We don't publish other companies' discount terms — check the BePresent website or its App Store listing for current offers. With Pauza there is nothing to discount: the core app is free on iOS 26+, and PRO only lifts the caps.
More: Opal alternatives · one sec alternatives · ClearSpace alternatives · Jomo alternatives · Roots alternatives · ScreenZen alternatives · Forest alternatives · Unrot alternatives · Brainrot alternatives · all screen time apps compared
Every minute off social media earns tokens — and you can bet a friend on who scrolls less.
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