# Freedom vs ScrollBuddy

The clearest difference is monetization model: ScrollBuddy at free with in-app purchases against Freedom's subscription. Freedom's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 3.9) and ratings volume (5.9K vs 9). 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 ScrollBuddy sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Freedom holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Freedom has 5.9K ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Freedom ships an update every 2 weeks, ScrollBuddy every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Freedom | ScrollBuddy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (5.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freedom-screen-time-control/id1269788228/reviews)** | [3.9 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scrollbuddy-screen-time/id6749676786/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **5.9K** | 9 |
| Positive reviews | — | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 93 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.1** | 26.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Eighty Percent Solutions](https://appshunter.io/developer/960372430) | [Aaron Vinod](https://appshunter.io/developer/1809840522) |

## 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)


### ScrollBuddy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scrollbuddy-screen-time/id6749676786)

This app helps break addictive scrolling habits by introducing friction and scheduled limits. It allows you to set time budgets for your favorite social apps, offering gentle nudges and optional accountability with a partner. Focus on your well-being and reclaim your time with a kinder system.

**Highlights:** Scheduled time windows for app usage, Daily time budgets for apps, Kind block screens when time is up, Limit multiple social apps in one place, Micro-escape timers for breaks, Optional buddy accountability, Smart nudges and warnings

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium | $3.99 | per month |
| ScrollBuddy Monthly Premium | $12.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium | $19.99 | per year |
| ScrollBuddy Annual Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Good buddy | $4.99 | one-time |
| Great buddy | $9.99 | one-time |
| Best buddy | $17.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Freedom free?

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

### Is ScrollBuddy free?

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

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

Freedom is rated higher. Freedom averages 4.4 out of 5 from 5.9K ratings, while ScrollBuddy averages 3.9 from 9 ratings.

### Do Freedom or ScrollBuddy have ads?

Neither Freedom nor ScrollBuddy shows ads.

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

Freedom ships an update every 2 weeks, and ScrollBuddy every 9 days. Most recently, Freedom was updated on October 15, 2026 and ScrollBuddy on October 5, 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.*