ClearSpace and Pauza are the two most social apps in this category, but they use very different currencies. ClearSpace makes you pay for scroll time with physical reps — pushups, squats, steps — and lets friends see your screen time. Pauza pays you for not scrolling: tokens for every minute off social media, which you can stake in head-to-head bets where the lowest screen time takes the pot.
| ClearSpace | Pauza | |
|---|---|---|
| Core approach | Unlock distracting apps by doing exercise reps (pushups, squats, steps), with screen time visible to friends and group challenges. | 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 $44.99/year | free core app; optional PRO tier |
| Social layer | screen time visible to friends, plus group challenges | real head-to-head stakes with friends — lowest screen time wins the pot (tokens only, no cash value) |
| When you slip | you can still unlock apps — it just costs reps | streaks freeze instead of breaking; a lost bet costs tokens, never money |
| Privacy | screen time is shared with friends as part of the model | 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+) |
pick ClearSpace if
- You want a fitness twist — turning scroll cravings into pushups appeals to you.
- Group visibility motivates you: friends seeing your screen time keeps you honest.
- You want a physical barrier rather than a psychological reward.
pick Pauza if
- You want direct head-to-head stakes — not just visibility, but something to win or lose.
- Exercise-to-unlock feels like a chore you'd end up deleting (be honest).
- You'd rather keep per-app data on your device — in Pauza, friends only see an anonymous daily total.
- You want the core loop free.
the honest verdict
ClearSpace's exercise-to-unlock is clever and its group challenges are real social pressure — if the fitness angle excites you, it's a solid pick. Where some users report friction is exactly that barrier: when unlocking costs pushups, the temptation is to delete the app rather than do the reps. Pauza inverts the deal — nothing is ever demanded of you; time off simply earns tokens, and the social layer is a proper bet, not just visibility. Pick by what you'll still be using in month three.
full disclosure
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.
Pauza rewards you with tokens for every minute you spend off social media — and lets you bet a friend that you'll scroll less. Free on iPhone.
Get Pauza on iPhone
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