A Pushscroll alternative that doesn't need your camera
Hey y'all! This is the comparison I'm most qualified to write, because apps like Pushscroll are the reason HonorFit exists. I needed a way to cap my phone use, so I downloaded one of those “do pushups to unlock your phone” apps. Loved the idea! What I didn't love was propping my phone up so it could watch me do the pushups. Super annoying, and kinda embarrassing when people see you doing pushups at a gas station lol.
So I built the same idea on the honor system. That's really the whole difference, and it's a real trade-off, so here's both sides.
What Pushscroll does well
- It checks your reps. Its listings say it counts reps with pose detection (“Can't cheat”). If you know you'd fudge the numbers, this is the main reason to pick it.
- Lots of exercises. Push-ups, squats, lunges, jumping jacks, diamond push-ups, squat holds and situps.
- More ways to earn. Daily steps (through Apple Health on iPhone and Health Connect on Android) and guided workouts.
- Game stuff. Levels, streaks and community challenges, if that keeps you motivated.
- A simple deal. “One pushup = one minute of app time.”
It's on iPhone and Android, made by Pushscroll GmbH, and free to download with in-app purchases (there are subscription options; check the store for prices).
Where HonorFit is different
- No camera. You scroll a wheel to say how many reps you did and tap Submit. No propping the phone up, no lighting, no angle, no floor space in front of a lens. It works in a kitchen, an office or a hotel room in about five seconds.
- No camera permission at all. Also no motion tracking, no AI, no account and no analytics. Nothing leaves your phone.
- You can cheat. I'm not gonna pretend otherwise. HonorFit takes your word for it. My take is that the person you'd be fooling is the one who installed a pushup app because they wanted to do more pushups. But if you know you'd do it, Pushscroll is the better app for you.
- Fewer features. Four exercises out of the box: pushups, situps, squats and pull-ups. Pro adds custom exercises and timed workouts (an hour of HIIT counts), but there's no step counting, no guided workouts and no community. It's a smaller, simpler app.
- Same exchange rate. One pushup earns one minute by default, and the minutes only count down while a blocked app is on screen.
- Pricing. Free, with banked time capped at 20 minutes. Pro is $3.00 a month or $19.99 once.
Side by side
| Pushscroll | HonorFit | |
|---|---|---|
| How reps are checked | Camera pose detection | Honor system (you log them) |
| Setup before each unlock | Prop the phone up where it can see you | None |
| Exercises | 7 bodyweight moves, plus steps and guided workouts | Pushups, situps, squats, pull-ups; custom and timed in Pro |
| Exchange rate | One pushup = one minute | One pushup = one minute by default (adjustable in Pro) |
| Motivation extras | Levels, streaks, challenges | Streaks and stats |
| Platforms | iPhone, Android | iPhone, Android |
| Pricing model | Free + in-app purchases | Free; Pro monthly or one-time |
Who should pick which
Pick Pushscroll if you want your reps verified, you like variety and steps, or the gamified side keeps you coming back.
Pick HonorFit if the camera setup is what would make you quit, you're often somewhere you'd rather not film yourself, or you just don't want an app pointing a camera at you. I wrote more about that in an app blocker without a camera or AI.
FAQ
Is there an app like Pushscroll that doesn't use the camera?
Yes. HonorFit works the same basic way (exercise to earn screen time), but you log your reps yourself. There's no camera permission, no motion tracking and no AI.
Does Pushscroll use the camera?
Yes. Its store listings say it counts reps with pose detection, which means pointing your phone's camera at you while you exercise.
Which is harder to cheat, Pushscroll or HonorFit?
Pushscroll. HonorFit runs on the honor system and takes your word for it. The trade-off is that HonorFit has no setup before each unlock and needs no camera.
Can I use Pushscroll and HonorFit together on iPhone?
Probably not at the same time. Both use Apple's Screen Time, and iOS currently only lets one app hold Screen Time access at a time. To switch, turn the other app off in Settings › Screen Time › Apps with Screen Time Access. HonorFit walks you through it if it hits that error.
Is HonorFit free?
Yes. The free version locks apps and lets you earn time with four exercises, with banked time capped at 20 minutes. Pro is $3.00 a month or $19.99 once.
HonorFit Blocker locks the apps you choose until you earn time back with pushups, situps, squats or pull-ups. Free on iPhone and Android. Honor system: no camera, no AI, and nothing leaves your phone.