Compare · Screen time and focus apps
LeadMeNot vs Apple Screen Time
Screen Time is free, built into every iPhone, iPad and Mac, and good at app limits and downtime. The gap shows up at the end of a limit: on your own phone, whoever knows the passcode can get past it, and nobody else is told. LeadMeNot works alongside Screen Time and puts someone in your corner.
Choose LeadMeNot if you want someone else told when a rule is broken, Safe Wall instead of a passcode you know, keyword blocking, and the same protection on Android, Windows and Chromebook.
Where Screen Time fits better: If you mainly want to see where your time goes, or a gentle nudge on your own phone, Screen Time is free and does that well. If you're a parent setting limits for a young child on Apple devices, Family Sharing's Ask For More Time is built for exactly that.
Side by side
What each one does today. Where Screen Time is stronger, we say so.
| What it does | LeadMeNot | Screen Time |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Subscription, with a free trial | Free, built in |
| App limits and downtime | Daily limits and schedules for apps | App Limits and Downtime1 |
| Adult websites | Built-in Adult Websites & Apps list | Limit Adult Websites, plus sites you add2 |
| Keywords and phrases | Safari on iPhone; inside apps on Android, Windows and Mac | ✕Filters websites, not words2 |
| When you hit a limit | Safe Wall: your partner's OK or a waiting period | One More Minute, Ignore Limit for Today, or the passcode1 |
| Someone else is told | Your partner is alerted when a rule is broken | Only a child in Family Sharing, who asks a parent for more time1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows, Mac, Chromebook | Apple devices only |
Also in LeadMeNot
- Block just part of a site, like youtube.com/shorts, and keep the rest
- Built-in Adult Websites & Apps and Gambling lists
Use both, step by step
- Keep Screen Time if you likeLeadMeNot uses Apple's Screen Time permission to block apps on iPhone, so the two work together. You don't need to turn yours off.
- Install LeadMeNot on each deviceGet it at leadmenot.org/download. On Windows, Mac and Chromebook you create your account at app.leadmenot.org first, then sign in to the app.
- Follow the first-day walkthroughThe first-day walkthrough switches on the Adult Websites & Apps list and takes you through your partner and Safe Wall.
- Turn your limits into rulesRecreate an app limit as a daily limit, and downtime as a schedule. Add keywords and websites while you're there.
- Give the passcode job to a personIf a friend holds your Screen Time passcode today, make them your LeadMeNot partner instead: they're told when a rule is broken, and Safe Wall asks them before anything is loosened.
- Check it worksType just the word leadmenottest (no .com) into your browser and press Enter. If it's blocked, you're protected.
Questions
Is LeadMeNot or Apple Screen Time better for me?
Do I have to turn off Screen Time?
Is LeadMeNot free like Screen Time?
Does it work on my other devices?
Ready when you are
Try LeadMeNot free, or ask us anything about moving over.
Compare other apps
Sources
- AirDroid: Screen Time's Ignore Limit option (updated May 15, 2026) (independent review)
- Tom's Guide: how to block websites on iPhone and iPad (independent review)
Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac and Screen Time are trademarks of Apple Inc., named here only to identify them. LeadMeNot isn't affiliated with Apple. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it.