# ClearSpace vs TimeBack

The clearest difference is ads: TimeBack at none against ClearSpace's shown. TimeBack also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 69%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). ClearSpace's advantage is ratings volume (8.8K vs 36). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ClearSpace sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 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 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ClearSpace has 8.8K ratings behind it against 36, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of ClearSpace's written reviews are positive against 100% of TimeBack's.

ClearSpace ships an update every 2 weeks, TimeBack weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ClearSpace | TimeBack |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (8.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clearspace-reduce-screen-time/id1572515807/reviews) | **[5.0 (36 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timeback-block-addictive-apps/id6748564790/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **8.8K** | 36 |
| Positive reviews | 69.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 80 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [clearspace](https://appshunter.io/developer/1653276930) | [Nicholas Camson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1695630069) |

## What reviewers say

### ClearSpace

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clearspace-reduce-screen-time/id1572515807)

This app helps you regain control of your phone usage by making your device less addictive. It offers tools to block distractions, manage app time, and build better digital habits. Achieve greater focus, productivity, and mental well-being by reducing impulse opens and doomscrolling.

**Highlights:** Block and limit distracting apps, Manage social media doomscrolling, Set schedules for app usage, Build better digital habits, Engage in attention-building challenges, Minimalist and straightforward design, Accountability partners for goals, Detailed screen time reporting

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ClearSpace Premium (Monthly) | $6.99 | per month |
| Clearspace Premium Student | $9.99 | per year |
| ClearSpace Premium (Annual) | $44.99 | per year |
| Clearspace Premium | $44.99 | per year |
| Clearspace Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| Clearspace Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| Clearspace Premium | $59.99 | per year |
| Clearspace Premium Family | $79.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helps reduce screen time
- 🚀 Effective at limiting app usage
- 💡 Breathing exercise and quotes are helpful
- 🤖 Tracks app usage well
- 🤔 Makes users more mindful about phone usage

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and laggy performance
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔓 Allows bypassing restrictions
- 🤖 Limited to one app in free version
- 🤔 Breathing exercise can be annoying

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when trying to block apps
- Notification issues and UI glitches
- Inconsistent tracking of app usage
- Problems with phone number verification

**Requested features**

- Allow blocking multiple apps in free version
- Add more exercise options beyond just breathing
- Provide more customization options
- Integrate with other fitness/health tracking apps
- Improve website/app blocking capabilities


### 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 ClearSpace free?

ClearSpace 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, ClearSpace or TimeBack?

TimeBack is rated higher. ClearSpace averages 4.7 out of 5 from 8.8K ratings, while TimeBack averages 5.0 from 36 ratings.

### Do ClearSpace or TimeBack have ads?

ClearSpace shows ads; TimeBack does not.

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

ClearSpace ships an update every 2 weeks, and TimeBack weekly. Most recently, ClearSpace was updated on September 25, 2026 and TimeBack on August 29, 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.*