Need Pause because you are struggling to manage screen time or break free from digital addictions (social media, gaming, adult content)?
Procrastinating because you can’t focus or be productive enough to achieve the results you deserve? With endless distractions from our devices, staying on track can feel nearly impossible.
In this Screen Management Tool Series, we explore and test the best free and paid tools for Android, iOS, computers, and phones—including apps, software, extensions, and more—so you can take back control, reclaim your time, and unlock your full potential.
Pause
⭐️ Our Experts Score: 82/100
⭐️ Community Score: 83/100
🥇Rank: 28th/160
🔒 Potential Impact: 3.0/5
💰 Paid | $4.99/month, $29.99/year
👍 Best use for: Focus & Productivity
📊 Estimated Users: 100K+
Summary
- About Pause
- Functionalities & Features
- What Pause can help you with
- How to use Pause
- Prices & Plans: Free vs PRO [2025]
- Paid Functionalities (paywall)
- Plans & Prices
- Money-back guarantee?
- Test & Review of Pause
- Pros & Cons
- Does Pause actually work?
- User tests & community sentiment
- Comparison with competitors
- Our opinion
- To Go Further
- Test your screen habits
About Pause
The Pause app, developed by Peng Cheng and launched in 2015, offers a unique relaxation experience by combining Tai Chi principles with modern technology. Users engage with the app by slowly moving their fingertips across the screen, which triggers calming visuals and sounds, promoting mindfulness and reducing stress. This innovative approach helps users achieve a meditative state through interactive, guided touch exercises.
Pause Functionalities & Features
Certainly! Here is a list of main functionalities and features of the Pause app, each starting with an emoji:
These features are designed to help users incorporate relaxation and mindfulness into their daily routines effectively.
What Pause can help you with

Improving your technology relationship
Certainly! Here are some problems and pain points the Pause app can help solve:
The psychology of Pause
The Pause app leverages mindfulness techniques to help users reduce stress and enhance focus. By encouraging deliberate, slow movements on the screen, it fosters a meditative state, promoting relaxation and mental clarity, which can improve emotional regulation and overall well-being.
How to download and install Pause
Availability
Ios, Android
Download
Download Pause for iOS (iPhone) on the Apple App Store.
Download Pause for Android on Google Play Store.
Or visit£µ£official page.
Installation
Pause – PRO vs Free: Prices & Plans [2025]
Paid Functionalities (paywall)
The Pro version of the Pause App offers several enhanced features designed to elevate user experience. Subscribers gain access to advanced meditation sessions, personalized relaxation plans, and a broader library of calming music and sounds. The Pro version also includes an offline mode, allowing users to access content without an internet connection, and a sleep tracker to monitor and improve sleep patterns.
Additionally, users can enjoy an ad-free experience, ensuring uninterrupted sessions. The app’s premium analytics provide insights into stress levels and relaxation progress, helping users tailor their mindfulness journey. Overall, the Pro version offers a comprehensive suite of tools for those seeking deeper relaxation and mindfulness.
Plans & Prices
Paid |
Money-back guarantee?
Yes, Pause App offers a money-back guarantee. Users can request a refund within 30 days if unsatisfied with the service.
Test & Review of Pause
Pros & Cons
Pros & Advantages
Cons & Limits
The Pause app, while designed to enhance mindfulness, may inadvertently lead to over-reliance on technology for relaxation, potentially diminishing natural coping mechanisms. Users might experience increased screen time, counteracting its calming intent.
Additionally, the app’s effectiveness can vary, with some finding it disrupts rather than aids focus. Privacy concerns also arise, as personal data usage may not be fully transparent, potentially compromising user trust.
Does Pause actually work?
How reliable is it?
One of the most important questions when it comes to screen time management tools or website blockers: how reliable are they?
As we know, when cravings hit, our brain pushes us to access it, and the trickier it is to do so, the less chance we have of yielding and wasting time. So here comes the question: How easy is it to bypass, avoid, forget, remove, or uninstall Pause?
Using the Pause app can be a great way to enhance your life by reducing distractions and building better habits. It’s designed to be reliable, making it tough to bypass once set, which helps keep you on track. To prevent forgetting to use it, the app includes reminders and easy-to-use interfaces that fit seamlessly into your daily routine. If you’re feeling lazy or tempted to remove it, Pause often has built-in protections like requiring a set time to uninstall or locking the app during critical periods. This makes it harder to give in to cravings and stay committed. Overall, Pause is a dependable tool to support your personal growth!
What results can you realistically expect from using Pause?
Using the Pause App, you can expect enhanced focus and productivity by managing your time effectively. It helps reduce stress through guided breaks and mindfulness exercises. Regular use may lead to better work-life balance, increased mindfulness, and improved mental clarity. Users often report feeling more relaxed, energized, and equipped to handle daily tasks with greater ease.
What users & the community think about it
Here is what the community (app reviews, Reddit, Trustpilot…) thinks about Pause.
The Pause app has garnered positive global reviews, with users praising its simplicity and effectiveness in promoting mindfulness and relaxation. Many appreciate its intuitive design and calming audio-visual elements, which help reduce stress and enhance focus. However, some users desire more customization options. Overall, the community views it as a valuable tool for mental well-being, offering a brief respite from daily stressors.
Best Pause alternatives compared
🏆 RANK | 🛠️ TOOL | 🎯 BEST FOR | 📱 AVAILABLE | 👥 ~USERS | 💲 PRICE | ⬇️ DOWNLOAD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | RescueTime | Automatic time-tracking tool for productivity insights. | Windows macOS | 3M+ | $12/month, $78/year | Download |
2 | Forest | Focus app that grows trees when you stay off your phone. | iOS Android Chrome | 10M+ | $3.99 (iOS/Android), $2.49 (Chrome) | iOS,Android |
3 | Opal | Blocks distracting apps to improve digital wellness. | iOS | 200K+ | $9/month, $69/year | Download |
4 | Flip | Helps break phone addiction by rewarding focus. | iOS Android | 100K+ | $4.99/month, $29.99/year | iOS,Android |
5 | Present | Mindfulness app for reducing phone use. | iOS Android | 100K+ | $4.99/month, $29.99/year | iOS,Android |
6 | Tide | Focus timer with relaxing soundscapes. | iOS Android | 1M+ | Free | iOS,Android |
7 | Motion | AI-powered productivity assistant that blocks distractions. | iOS Android | 200K+ | $19/month, $190/year | iOS,Android |
8 | Session | Time management tool with Pomodoro-style focus sessions. | iOS Android | 100K+ | Free | iOS,Android |
9 | Pause | Encourages mindful breaks with guided breathing. | iOS Android | 100K+ | $4.99/month, $29.99/year | iOS,Android |
To discover more Focus & Productivity tools, check our Focus & Productivity ranking:
Our opinion on Pause
As a tech and digital addiction expert, we find the Pause app to be a fantastic tool for managing screen time. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to set limits and track usage, helping users become more aware of their digital habits. Features like scheduled breaks and usage reports are particularly effective in reducing unnecessary screen time. Pause encourages healthier technology use without being restrictive, making it ideal for anyone looking to balance their digital life. Overall, it’s a reliable app for fostering mindful device usage.
To Go Further
Test your screen habits
Try our digital habit & screen addiction test:
Quit any toxic screen habit
To go further, please check our courseThe Digital Purge.Here is the trailer: