# Freedom vs TimeBack

The clearest difference is rating: TimeBack at 5.0 against Freedom's 4.4. TimeBack also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and review sentiment (100% vs 64%). Freedom's advantage is ratings volume (5.9K vs 36). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Freedom sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and TimeBack sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

TimeBack holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Freedom has 5.9K ratings behind it against 36, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Freedom's written reviews are positive against 100% of TimeBack's.

Freedom ships an update every 2 weeks, TimeBack weekly. Both last shipped on October 17, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Freedom | TimeBack |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (5.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freedom-screen-time-control/id1269788228/reviews) | **[5.0 (36 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timeback-block-addictive-apps/id6748564790/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **5.9K** | 36 |
| Positive reviews | 64.2% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 93 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.1** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Eighty Percent Solutions](https://appshunter.io/developer/960372430) | [Nicholas Camson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1695630069) |

## What reviewers say

### Freedom

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freedom-screen-time-control/id1269788228)

This app helps you block distracting apps and websites to improve focus and productivity. Schedule blocking sessions across all your devices to build better screen time habits and reclaim productive hours.

**Highlights:** Block distracting apps and websites, Schedule blocking sessions, Sync across all devices, Block the internet, Locked Mode for habit commitment, Focus sounds

**Features:** Safari Extension, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $8.99 | per month |
| Freedom Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Freedom Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Freedom Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Freedom Forever | $199.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Effective at blocking distractions
- 👍 Customizable blocklists
- 🔒 Locked mode prevents bypassing
- 💡 Cross-device sync
- 👍 Helpful for productivity and focus

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent blocking, doesn't always work as expected
- 🐛 Scheduled sessions don't always start automatically
- 🐛 Buggy, crashes frequently
- 🔒 Easy to bypass by disabling VPN or deleting app
- 👎 Limited app blocking on iOS

**Reported bugs**

- Blocks unintended apps/websites
- Fails to block certain apps like Facebook, Instagram
- Doesn't work in low power mode on iOS

**Requested features**

- Allow specific app whitelisting
- Add time limit/usage tracking features
- Improve scheduling options (e.g. by day, not just time)
- Better integration with mobile OS features (e.g. iOS Screen Time)


### TimeBack

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timeback-block-addictive-apps/id6748564790)

This app helps you reduce screen time and avoid distractions by blocking addictive applications. It offers customizable blocking schedules, a 'Hard Mode' for complete phone lockdown, and an accountability feature that notifies friends when you override a block.

**Highlights:** App Blocking with custom schedules, Ad-hoc timers, Hard Mode for complete lockdown, Accountability notifications for friends, Block override options, Tracking of schedules and goals

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TimeBack Premium Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| TimeBack Premium Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| TimeBack Premium Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| TimeBack Premium | $0.99 | one-time |
| 100 TimeBack Points | $0.99 | one-time |
| 500 TimeBack Points | $4.99 | one-time |
| 1000 TimeBack Points | $9.99 | one-time |
| 2500 TimeBack Points | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Best Screen Time Control App
- 👍 Great Tool
- 👍 Great way to reduce screen time
- 👍 Smooth
- 👍 Productivity increased working from home


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Freedom free?

Freedom is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is TimeBack free?

TimeBack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Freedom or TimeBack?

TimeBack is rated higher. Freedom averages 4.4 out of 5 from 5.9K ratings, while TimeBack averages 5.0 from 36 ratings.

### Do Freedom or TimeBack have ads?

Neither Freedom nor TimeBack shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Freedom or TimeBack?

Freedom ships an update every 2 weeks, and TimeBack weekly. Most recently, Freedom was updated on October 17, 2026 and TimeBack on October 17, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*