Comparison

TimeBuddy vs KeyBlock

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

Head to head
About

TimeBuddy

This app helps you focus on tasks with a customizable multi-step timer. Break down goals into mini-goals and receive spoken alerts and reminders across devices. Track progress and share achievements with shareable graphics.

Highlights
  • Reusable multi-step timer sessions
  • Simultaneous session support
  • Cross-device reminders
  • Spoken timer alerts
  • Home screen widgets
  • Focus session history
  • Customizable graphic templates
Features
Read full description

TimeBuddy is a simple, multi-step productivity timer that helps you focus on your daily tasks. You can create a session for tasks like cooking, working out, or studying. Then break up your goal into steps or mini-goals. Here is an example of a quick 10-minute workout session: · Bodyweight Squats for 2 minutes · Rest for 30 seconds · Push-Ups for 2 minutes · Rest for 30 seconds · Plank with T-Rotation for 2 minutes · Rest for 30 seconds · Alternating Standing Oblique Crunches for 2 minutes · Finish with a Rest for 30 second ——— Features ——— - Stay focused by running reusable multi-step timer sessions to achieve your goal. = Multiple sessions can run simultaneously. - Receive reminders across devices while progressing and finishing sessions. - Spoken alerts will talk you through your timers so you can stay focused. - Access sessions on the home screen with widgets. - Keep track of your progress with the focus session history. - Share your progress with our gorgeous customizable graphic templates. - Access sessions securely on all of your devices using iCloud. - Customize the appearance of the app with alternate theme colors and app icons. - Enjoy focusing in the dark with our gorgeous dark mode. ——— TimeBuddy Plus ——— TimeBuddy is made by me, Matt, a solo developer! I believe that TimeBuddy’s core features should be free for everyone to use, but if you want to support and help me work on the app full time, you can subscribe to TimeBuddy Plus to unlock all features. ——— Subscriptions ——— If you purchase a TimeBuddy Plus subscription, payment will be charged to your iTunes account. Your account will automatically be charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period unless you disable auto-renew. You can turn off auto-renewal at any time by going to your Account Settings on the App Store after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://mdssoftware.co/privacypolicy Terms of Use: https://mdssoftware.co/termsofuse

About

KeyBlock

This app uses NFC stickers to physically block distracting applications on your phone, helping you regain focus without relying on willpower. Simply tap your phone to a sticker to activate blocking modes like Deep Work or Sleep, and tap again to resume access.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps with NFC tap
  • Four built-in focus modes
  • Dumb Phone mode for essentials
  • Activity dashboard for progress tracking
  • Discover page with focus tools
Read full description

Block distracting apps with a physical tap. No willpower needed. KeyBlock turns a simple NFC sticker into a real barrier between you and your phone addiction. Tap your phone to the sticker — your distracting apps are blocked instantly. No passcodes to bypass. No limits to ignore. A physical action that actually sticks. WHY IT WORKS Screen time limits fail because they're software blocking software — you bypass them in 3 seconds. KeyBlock is different. The physical act of walking to your sticker and tapping creates a real barrier your brain can't shortcut. FEATURES • Block distracting apps instantly with one NFC tap • 4 built-in modes: Deep Work, Sleep, Family Time, Gym • Dumb Phone mode — strip your phone down to essentials • Activity dashboard to track your progress • Discover page with curated focus tools, breathwork, and more HOW IT WORKS 1. Place a KeyBlock sticker on your desk, nightstand, or journal 2. Open the app and choose which apps to block 3. Tap your phone to the sticker — done. Blocked. 4. Tap again when you're ready to unblock WORKS WITH iPhone XS and later. Requires KeyBlock NFC stickers (sold separately at keyblock.app). Take back your time. Back to living. Terms of Service - https://keyblock.app/pages/terms - https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy - https://keyblock.app/pages/privacy

Screenshots

TimeBuddy4 screens
KeyBlock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: KeyBlock at 5.0 against TimeBuddy's 4.0. KeyBlock also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4). TimeBuddy's advantage is ratings volume (5 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. TimeBuddy sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. KeyBlock asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

KeyBlock holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TimeBuddy has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
TimeBuddy versus KeyBlock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTimeBuddyKeyBlock
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (5 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB26 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperMasterMind Software LLCKeyBlock Tech, LLC

Customer experience

TimeBuddy

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

KeyBlock

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

TimeBuddy

Subscriptions3
  • TimeBuddy Plus$4.991 Month
  • TimeBuddy Plus3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • TimeBuddy Plus3 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • TimeBuddy Plus$49.99
None

KeyBlock

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TimeBuddy free?
TimeBuddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is KeyBlock free?
KeyBlock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, TimeBuddy or KeyBlock?
KeyBlock is rated higher. TimeBuddy averages 4.0 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while KeyBlock averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do TimeBuddy or KeyBlock have ads?
Neither TimeBuddy nor KeyBlock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TimeBuddy or KeyBlock?
TimeBuddy ships an update every 6 weeks, and KeyBlock every 6 weeks. Most recently, TimeBuddy was updated on October 15, 2026 and KeyBlock on September 30, 2026.

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