Comparison

AppBlock vs Takeback

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

Head to head
About

AppBlock

This app helps you regain control of your digital life by blocking distracting apps and websites. Reduce screen time, improve focus, and build healthier habits with customizable schedules and strict blocking modes. Achieve better sleep, mental health, and productivity.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps and websites
  • Control screen time and monitor usage
  • Customizable blocking schedules
  • Strict mode to prevent bypassing restrictions
  • Detailed statistics on screen time usage
  • Focus sessions for uninterrupted work/study
Features
Read full description

► 15,000,000+ satisfied users ► 63% less screen time in the first week ► Save up to 3 hours every day AppBlock is the ultimate app blocker that helps you block apps, reduce screen time, and manage social media distractions so you can focus on what truly matters. Our app creates a positive impact on your digital wellbeing. Whether you need a productivity boost, want to unplug in your free time, or looking for a focused study environment, AppBlock gives you full control of your digital habits. ► CONTROL YOUR SCREEN TIME Cut down on wasted time and build a healthier relationship with your devices. Use custom templates to block the apps that distract you most during the day, stop doomscrolling on social media, and reduce your screen time. Our users reported 63% less screen time in just two weeks. Yes, it’s true! Try it yourself and thank us later. ► WHY APPBLOCK? – Block Apps: Cut access to social media, games, or anything that pulls you away from your goals. – Website Blocker: Restrict time-wasting websites or unwanted content. – Screen Time Control: Monitor and limit app usage to maintain a balanced life. – Customizable Blocking Schedules: Automatically block apps based on time, location, or Wi-Fi. – App Open Limits: Decide how long you can use certain apps to stay in control. – Strict Mode: Stay committed by preventing yourself from bypassing restrictions. – Allowlist: Keep essential apps available while blocking distractions. – Quick Block: Need instant focus? Tap once to block apps and websites right away. ► STAY PRODUCTIVE & FOCUSED AppBlock helps you manage your screen time and remove digital distractions so you can focus on what really matters. – Improve Sleep: Reduce late-night phone use for better rest. – Support Mental Health: Stay calm and mindful with fewer interruptions. – Boost Productivity: Block time-wasting apps and websites to stay on task. – Study Better: Encourage a distraction-free learning environment. – Unplug in Free Time: Enjoy hobbies, family, and friends without constant notifications. ► ADVANCED TOOLS & INSIGHTS – Detailed Statistics: Discover where your screen time goes and identify what distracts you most. – Focus Sessions: Automatically silence notifications and block apps during key work or study periods. – Time Management: Create daily structure for balanced digital use. – AppBlock for Desktop: Stay productive on PC or Mac with browser extensions that block distracting sites. – Get the extension: https://appblock.app/extensions ► #1 BLOCKER – SAFE BROWSING Create a secure and distraction-free experience by using AppBlock. With one tap, block apps, websites for safer and more mindful screen use. ► FREE TO USE – START TODAY AppBlock is free to download and packed with everything you need to build healthier digital habits and reclaim your time in just a few taps. Discover why our app blocker has over 15,000,000 success stories. ► PRIVACY FIRST Your privacy is our top priority. AppBlock uses Apple’s Screen Time API for secure content blocking. Your personal data stays private and is never shared. ► CONTACT & SUPPORT Email — support@appblock.app Website — www.appblock.app ► TERMS & PRIVACY Terms of Use — https://appblock.app/terms-of-use-app-store Privacy Policy — https://appblock.app/privacy-policy-app-store

About

Takeback

This app uses an AI coach to help you quit doomscrolling and regain control of your phone usage. It offers various modes to restrict access to social apps, requiring valid reasons for entry and learning your scrolling habits to adjust your plan.

Highlights
  • AI-powered screen time coaching
  • Customizable app access modes
  • Reason-based app entry
  • Adaptive daily limits
  • Earn extra time through activities
  • Focus blocks and proof of activity
Features
Read full description

Takeback is Sarge, an AI coach who lets you into your social apps when you have a real reason and cuts off the doomscrolling. Not another app blocker. Other blockers lock everything, so you delete them by Friday. Or they're easy to skip. Sarge is tougher, but fair. A REAL REASON GETS YOU IN DMing a friend? Work? You get in. Doomscrolling? He cuts you off. He knows how long you've already scrolled today. 5 MODES. FIND YOURS. Some days your apps stay open, and the second you start doomscrolling, they lock. Some days every open costs a short wait while he tries to talk you out of it. On Blackout days, only a strong reason or a real emergency gets you in. Sarge picks your first modes, then you choose the one that works. HARDCORE WHEN YOU NEED IT On Hardcore days you say it out loud. Hold to talk, tell him why you need your apps, and he talks back. HE LEARNS YOU How you scroll. When you slip up. Then he adjusts your plan, and your daily limit steps down to your goal. YOUR ANTI-ALGORITHM Thousands of engineers. Billions of dollars. One job: keep you scrolling. Willpower can't beat that. It was never your fault. Sarge is an AI on your side against a billion-dollar feed. WANT MORE TIME? EARN IT. Go for a walk, work out, touch real grass, or hold a focus block. He checks the proof: your steps, a fresh photo, or 45 minutes with no unlocks. Pictures of pictures don't work on him. WHAT CHANGES Evenings that end in sleep, not a 2am feed. An attention span you can feel coming back. Hours that used to vanish with nothing to show for them. A phone you finally trust yourself with. WHO'S BEHIND IT Takeback is run by Stan Tatarnykov. He built games played by 80M+ people, so he knows how apps keep you hooked. Now he's on your side. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://trytakeback.com/privacy

Screenshots

AppBlock4 screens
Takeback4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Takeback at 5.0 against AppBlock's 4.6. Takeback also leads on review sentiment (75% vs 55%). AppBlock's advantage is ratings volume (7K vs 2) and chart position (#182 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. AppBlock sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Takeback sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Takeback holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AppBlock has 7K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of AppBlock's written reviews are positive against 75% of Takeback's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AppBlock ships an update every 6 days, Takeback every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
AppBlock versus Takeback: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAppBlockTakeback
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (7K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.0% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings7K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterEvery 9 days
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#182 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size197 MB86 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMobileSoft s.r.o.Gatarn Games Ltd.

Customer experience

AppBlock

All ratings6,914 ratings
Positive89.9%
Neutral2.6%
Negative7.5%
Written reviews965 reviews
Positive55.0%
Neutral11.2%
Negative33.8%

Takeback

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Bugs and requests

AppBlock

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Scheduled blocks not always activating properly
  • App crashing or becoming unresponsive
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching between modes

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ability to block Safari and other browsers
  • Implement syncing across devices
  • Provide more granular control over blocking schedules
  • Show remaining time for app limits
  • Make strict mode truly unbreakable

Takeback

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

AppBlock

Subscriptions7
  • Premium Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Premium Monthly$14.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
Show 4 more
  • Premium Yearly1 Year trial3 variants$29.991 Year
  • Premium Yearly7 Days trial2 variants$44.991 Year
  • Premium Yearly1 Year trial$44.991 Year
  • Premium Yearly7 Days trial$59.991 Year
10 purchases

Takeback

Subscriptions10
  • Takeback Weekly Plan$4.997 Days
  • Takeback Monthly Plan$8.991 Month
  • Takeback Monthly Plan$9.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Takeback Pro Weekly$9.997 Days
  • Takeback Yearly Plan$19.991 Year
  • Takeback Annual3 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Takeback Yearly$39.991 Year
  • Takeback Annual$44.991 Year
  • Takeback Annual3 Days trial$44.991 Year
  • Takeback Pro Annual$69.991 Year

Questions

Is AppBlock free?
AppBlock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Takeback free?
Takeback is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, AppBlock or Takeback?
Takeback is rated higher. AppBlock averages 4.6 out of 5 from 7K ratings, while Takeback averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do AppBlock or Takeback have ads?
Both AppBlock and Takeback show ads.
Which is updated more often, AppBlock or Takeback?
AppBlock ships an update every 6 days, and Takeback every 9 days. Most recently, AppBlock was updated on November 5, 2026 and Takeback on November 1, 2026.

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