Comparison

TimeBack vs SandBud

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

TimeBack

Features
Read full description

TimeBack represents an efficient, streamlined time-task-employee management app, which enables you to finish your projects on time and within budget, whilst keeping track of activity progress. Given the application’s extremely user-friendly interface, you’ll be able to quickly tell who is up to what, when and where.

About

SandBud

This app helps you reclaim your screen time and build focus habits by blocking distracting applications. It gamifies the process by allowing you to design a virtual zen garden with elements earned from completed focus sessions. Stay present, reduce scrolling, and cultivate mindfulness with rewarding progress tracking.

Highlights
  • Block apps with focus plans
  • Design a virtual zen garden
  • Earn rewards for focus streaks
  • Track daily focus progress
  • Enter deep focus with Zen Mode
  • Take timed breaks
  • View screen time reports
Features
Read full description

Less brainrot. More living. SandBud is a focus app that makes putting your phone down REWARDING. Block distracting apps, and earn rewards when you focus. The best part? You can grow your own zen garden and show off your focus progress while you are resetting your phone habit. Designed by the former TikTok product team, SandBud makes focus fun! We use proven behavioral psychology hacks to reverse-engineer the brainrot, so you will fall in love with being present again! Meet Bud, your little focus butler. He’s here to remind you to spend less time scrolling and more time doing your thing. Studying. Working. Having dinner without checking what everyone else is having for dinner. HOW SandBud WORKS Choose your distractions Select the apps you want to take a break from. Make a focus plan Set aside time for work, study, winding down, or being with people you care about. TimeBack blocks your selected apps during your focus session, so you don't brainrot. Earn something worth looking forward to Complete your focus session to earn rewards for your garden. Grow plants, unlock surprise collections, and make your little space your own. SCREEN TIME CONTROL WITH SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO You already know you want to scroll less and stop the brainrot. SandBud gives you a reason to follow through: a little progress, a little surprise, and a garden that grows with your effort. • App Blocker — Block distracting apps when you want to focus. • Focus Plans — Make room in your day for the things you keep putting off. • Zen Garden — Turn completed sessions into rewards and a space you can build. • Surprise Collections — Discover new things to unlock as you keep going. • Zen Mode — Start a distraction-free moment when you need one. • Screen Time Reports — See your screen time breakdown and follow your progress. BE PRESENT, ONE SESSION AT A TIME One quick check can turn into an hour of brainrot. Give yourself a break from the feed and make room for your own life. Practice mindfulness while studying, working, or spending time with someone you love. Your phone can wait. Bud is excellent at waiting. Start your first focus plan. Give your attention somewhere better to go. BUILT WITH APPLE’S SCREEN TIME API SandBud uses Apple’s Screen Time API to block the apps you select. TERMS & PRIVACY Terms of Use: https://gettimeback.app/terms-of-use/ Privacy Policy: https://gettimeback.app/privacy-policy/

Screenshots

TimeBack4 screens
SandBud4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TimeBack at none against SandBud's 2. TimeBack also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). SandBud's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. SandBud sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. TimeBack asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TimeBack ships an update every 4 months, SandBud weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
TimeBack versus SandBud: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTimeBackSandBud
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.9 (30 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—30 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB281 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSimpleTrend SRLSean Kuannery Media, LLC

In-app purchases

None

TimeBack

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

SandBud

Subscriptions2
  • TimeBack Premium (Monthly)7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • TimeBack Premium (Yearly)7 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is TimeBack free?
TimeBack is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SandBud free?
SandBud is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do TimeBack or SandBud have ads?
Neither TimeBack nor SandBud shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TimeBack or SandBud?
TimeBack ships an update every 4 months, and SandBud weekly. Most recently, TimeBack was updated on September 18, 2026 and SandBud on September 22, 2026.

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