Comparison

Pocus vs ScreenBuddy

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

Head to head
About

Pocus

This app helps you reduce phone usage and increase focus by blocking distracting applications. Set automatic or manual blocking schedules to concentrate on important tasks without notifications or access to chosen apps.

Highlights
  • Automatic app blocking
  • Notification silencing
  • Customizable time limits
  • Daily app restrictions
  • Manual deep focus mode
  • App usage tracking
Read full description

An App for Those Who Want to Spend Less Time on Their Phones. Every feature of the app is designed, tested, and used daily by people who need to focus and set their phones aside. You can set up automatic blocking of distracting apps while you work on important tasks. While these apps are blocked, you won’t receive notifications from them, and you won’t be able to open them until the time you set has elapsed. This will allow you to concentrate fully and avoid distractions from things that aren’t currently important. Limits will help you restrict the time you spend on various apps each day. You can choose which apps to limit, how much time you want to spend on them, and the days of the week that the restrictions will apply. Once the allotted time has expired, the apps will remain blocked until the end of the day. Deep Focus is a manual app-blocking feature. You select the apps and the duration of the blocking. After that, the apps will be unavailable until the chosen time is up. MORE INFO ABOUT POCUS SUBSCRIPTION: Plans are monthly and annual You'll be billed at the end of the free trial automatically unless you cancel Subscription will auto-renew unless you turn it off in your iTunes account Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase You can turn off auto-renew in iTunes You can cancel up to 24 hours before the next period Please review our Terms of Service here: https://istukalov965.wixsite.com/mysite/pocus-tos Please review our Privacy Policy here: https://istukalov965.wixsite.com/mysite/pocus-pivacy Please note that all trademarks, service marks, trade names, logos and domain names referenced in the screenshots of this app, including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, are the property of their respective owners. This app is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of these companies. The use of these trademarks in the screenshots is solely for the purpose of demonstrating the functionality of the app.

About

ScreenBuddy

This app helps reduce screen time by introducing friction before accessing selected apps. It offers personalized daily limits and a pause before unlocking to break unconscious phone usage habits and combat digital addiction.

Highlights
  • Block selected apps 24/7
  • Pause before unlocking apps
  • Personalized daily screen time limits
  • Breaks unconscious phone use habits
  • Reduces digital addiction
  • Focus enhancement for work and study
Features
Read full description

ScreenBuddy uses friction to cut your screen time in half. Pick the apps that distract you most, and ScreenBuddy makes you wait 25 seconds before you can open them. Set a daily usage limit, and when it's gone, it's gone. HOW IT WORKS: - Select apps you want to limit. They are blocked 24/7 - Pause before you scroll. Wait before each unlock to break unconscious phone use - Personalized limits. Set a daily screen time limit you can commit to. Use it all at once or spread it out. Once it's gone, it's gone. WHY IT WORKS: Most app blockers are easy to bypass. You hit a limit, tap "ignore," and keep scrolling. ScreenBuddy works differently. Your apps are locked from the start, and the 25-second pause gives you time to reconsider before you open them. Over time, the phone habit fades because you keep interrupting it. ScreenBuddy helps you stop phone addiction without a full digital detox or dopamine detox. Just enough friction to stop doomscrolling and start living phone free. PERFECT FOR: - People who pick up their phone and don't remember why - Anyone trying to cut back on social media and brain rot content - Professionals who need distraction-free focus during work hours - Students struggling to stay on task - Parents who want to model better phone habits SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS: ScreenBuddy requires a premium subscription for full functionality. Choose monthly ($3.99), annual ($39.99 - 2 months free), or lifetime ($99.99) billing through your Apple ID. Your subscription automatically renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage your subscription anytime in your Apple ID account settings. PRIVACY: https://www.screenbuddyapp.com/privacy-policy TERMS: https://www.screenbuddyapp.com/terms-of-service

Screenshots

Pocus4 screens
ScreenBuddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ScreenBuddy at 100% against Pocus's 52%. ScreenBuddy also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.9). Pocus's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ratings volume, 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. Pocus sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and ScreenBuddy sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ScreenBuddy holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Pocus's written reviews are positive against 100% of ScreenBuddy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pocus ships an update every 9 days, ScreenBuddy every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Pocus versus ScreenBuddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPocusScreenBuddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (17 ratings)4.6 (9 ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings17 — better9
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.4 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIlia StukalovJohn Gaffney

Customer experience

Pocus

All ratings17 ratings
Positive58.8%
Neutral23.5%
Negative17.6%
Written reviews46 reviews
Positive52.2%
Neutral15.2%
Negative32.6%

ScreenBuddy

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Pocus

Subscriptions4
  • Pocus Full$1.997 Days
  • Pocus full7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Pocus full7 Days trial$29.996 Months
Show 1 more
  • Pocus Full7 Days trial$49.991 Year
3 purchases

ScreenBuddy

Subscriptions2
  • ScreenBuddy Pro Monthly3 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • ScreenBuddy Pro Annual3 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • ScreenBuddy Pro Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is Pocus free?
Pocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ScreenBuddy free?
ScreenBuddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pocus or ScreenBuddy?
ScreenBuddy is rated higher. Pocus averages 3.9 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while ScreenBuddy averages 4.6 from 9 ratings.
Do Pocus or ScreenBuddy have ads?
Neither Pocus nor ScreenBuddy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pocus or ScreenBuddy?
Pocus ships an update every 9 days, and ScreenBuddy every 3 weeks. Most recently, Pocus was updated on October 16, 2026 and ScreenBuddy on October 2, 2026.

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