Comparison

Backlog by Time Engine vs Dopamine Cannon

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

Head to head
About

Backlog by Time Engine

Features
Read full description

Backlog is a time based todo list, add an backlog, add items and subitems to it, associate it with a time amount representing a how much it will take to be done with it. Backlog adds all your items time and show how much workload you have. Simply check and uncheck items, move them to prioritize them or delete them.

About

Dopamine Cannon

Features
Read full description

Struggling to get started? Stop scrolling and start firing. Dopamine Cannon turns your mundane to-do list into a visceral, gamified experience. Instead of ticking boxes, you are loading artillery. Instead of "selecting" a task, you are spinning the cylinder of a high-caliber productivity weapon. How it Works: 1. Load the Armory: Add your micro-tasks (e.g., "Drink Water", "10 Squats", "Wipe Desk"). 2. Spin the Cylinder: Swipe left or right to randomize your target. The app learns what you avoid and helps you tackle it. 3. Prime the Cannon: Physically drag down the heavy bolt to load the mechanism. Feel the haptics build up. 4. FIRE: Release to lock in your task. The cannon fires, and your 5-minute focus timer begins. 5. Earn Dopamine: Complete the mission to earn points and track your "Combat Record." Key Features: 1. Satisfying Physics: Heavy haptic feedback and fluid animations make every interaction feel mechanical and powerful. 2. Weighted Randomization: The smart cylinder prioritizes tasks you haven't done in a while. 3. Combat Record: Track your daily, weekly, and monthly performance with detailed stats. 4. Focus Timer: A built-in "Fuse" timer locks you into the task until the mission is complete. 5. Dopamine Score: Watch your score rise as you build momentum. Don't just do your chores. Annihilate them. Download Dopamine Cannon today.

Screenshots

Backlog by Time Engine4 screens
Dopamine Cannon4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Backlog by Time Engine at 16.4 against Dopamine Cannon's 26.0. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference ยท 5 level
Backlog by Time Engine versus Dopamine Cannon: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBacklog by Time EngineDopamine Cannon
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksโ€”
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad โ€” better
Requires iOS16.4 โ€” better26.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size3 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer100-8 StudioYUWEI JIANG

In-app purchases

None

Backlog by Time Engine

No in-app purchases

None

Dopamine Cannon

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Backlog by Time Engine free?
Backlog by Time Engine is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Dopamine Cannon free?
Dopamine Cannon is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Backlog by Time Engine or Dopamine Cannon have ads?
Neither Backlog by Time Engine nor Dopamine Cannon shows ads.

Other comparisons