Comparison

Blok vs Screen Time Buddy

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

Head to head
About

Blok

This app works with a physical device to help you block distracting apps and websites. It allows you to select which apps to block, tap a device to activate focus mode, and set custom schedules for different activities. Reclaim your time and boost productivity by minimizing digital distractions.

Highlights
  • Customizable app blocking
  • Tap-to-block technology
  • Focus modes for schedules
  • Secure and private data storage
  • Reclaim time and boost productivity
Features
Read full description

Blok helps you reduce screen time by making distractions harder to access. HOW IT WORKS ↓ 1. Choose the apps and websites you want to block 2. Start a Blok session by scanning a product barcode or Blok Card 3. To unBlok, complete the physical action again WHY BLOK WORKS ↓ Most app blockers are too easy to bypass. Blok adds friction at the exact moment you are most likely to scroll again. Instead of relying on willpower alone, Blok turns blocking and unblocking into a physical ritual. Tap your Blok Card or scan your registered barcode to Blok distracting apps and websites. When you want back in, you need the same physical action again. With Blok, you can: - Block distracting apps, websites, and categories - Use a product barcode or Blok Card as your physical key - Create focus modes for work, sleep, study, or personal time - Schedule automatic Blok sessions - Take limited breaks without fully giving up - Combine modes for stricter blocking - Track your Blok streak and time Blok'd - Add friends and compare progress in Blok World - See Blok'd status on your Lock Screen with Live Activities Blok is built for people who want a real-world way to reduce doomscrolling, social media overuse, and phone addiction. Privacy Policy: https://shop.blok.so/pages/privacy-policy Terms: https://shop.blok.so/pages/terms-and-conditions

About

Screen Time Buddy

This app transforms reducing screen time into a fun, game-like experience. It uses app limits, friend accountability, and character progression to help users regain control of their phone usage and improve focus.

Highlights
  • Gamified screen time reduction
  • App limits and blocking
  • Friend accountability system
  • Character progression and evolution
  • Weekly leaderboards
  • Focus and productivity improvement
Features
Read full description

Spending too much time scrolling? Same. Screen Time Buddy turns cutting back into a game you actually want to play -- with friends who keep you honest (and roast you when you slip). 5 to 6 hours. That's how long most of us burn on our phones every day. Not learning something new. Just... scrolling. Screen Time Buddy gives you app limits, friend accountability, character progression, leaderboards, and a coin system that makes putting your phone down feel like winning. Real People, Real Results "Cut my screen time from 6 hours to 2.5 in one week. Game changer." -- Sarah K. "Finally an app that works instead of just nagging me." -- Mike T. "The buddy system is genius. My friends keep me accountable." -- Jess L. "Went from Sloth to Eagle in two weeks." -- Ryan M. Why Screen Time Buddy Works You've tried other screen time apps. They lectured. They nagged. They made you feel bad. Then you deleted them. Screen Time Buddy is different. It's fun. It's social. And it sticks. Your Daily Character Every day, you earn a character based on your screen time. Under 1.5 hours? You're an Eagle. Hit 3 hours? A clever Fox. Panda at 4 hours. Sloth at 5. Which one are you today? Buddy-Powered Accountability Set limits on the apps that steal your time. Hit your limit and they're locked. Need more time? Ask a friend -- they have to approve it. No sneaking. No bypassing. Just real accountability. Climb the Leaderboard See where you rank among your crew. Weekly leaderboards, coins, and friendly competition to keep you motivated. The Results - 92% feel less distracted - 89% report better focus and productivity - 86% say they sleep better What that looks like: more focus at work, better sleep, less "I wasted my whole day" guilt, and actually being present with people you care about. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.powermate.app/privacy-policy Terms & Conditions: https://www.powermate.app/terms-and-conditions Premium Plans Monthly: $59.99 -- Full access with a free first week Yearly: $24.99 -- Full access for 12 months (Save 96%!) Auto-renewing subscriptions. Cancel anytime in your account settings. Payment charged to your Apple Account at purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period.

Screenshots

Blok4 screens
Screen Time Buddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Blok at none against Screen Time Buddy's shown. Blok also leads on ratings volume (733 vs 9) and update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly). On price, rating, review sentiment 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. Blok sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Screen Time Buddy sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Blok against 4.6 for Screen Time Buddy. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Blok has 733 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 54% of Blok's written reviews are positive against 50% of Screen Time Buddy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Blok ships an update every 9 days, Screen Time Buddy monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Blok versus Screen Time Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBlokScreen Time Buddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (733 ratings)4.6 (9 ratings)
Positive reviews53.5% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings733 — better9
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterMonthly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size115 MB106 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJust Commit Inc.Power Insights Company

Customer experience

Blok

All ratings733 ratings
Positive89.6%
Neutral3.1%
Negative7.2%
Written reviews71 reviews
Positive53.5%
Neutral7.0%
Negative39.4%

Screen Time Buddy

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

Blok

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashing and freezing
  • Inconsistent blocking and unblocking of apps
  • Issues with card/magnet detection and functionality
  • Problems with account management and subscription

Requested features

3 requests
  • Allow multiple schedules per day
  • Improve app categorization and blocking
  • Add more customization options

Screen Time Buddy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

11 purchases

Blok

Subscriptions9
  • Blok Pro (Monthly)2 variants$9.991 Month
  • Blok Pro (Monthly)7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Blok Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
Show 6 more
  • Blok Pro (Yearly)$29.991 Year
  • Blok Membership3 Months trial$34.991 Year
  • Blok Pro (Yearly)$39.991 Year
  • Blok Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Blok Membership1 Year trial$59.991 Year
  • Blok Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time2
  • Single Emergency Unblok$4.99
  • Three Emergency Unbloks$12.99
2 purchases

Screen Time Buddy

Subscriptions2
  • Powermate Pro monthly3 Days trial$24.991 Month
  • Screen Time Buddy Pro Yearly7 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is Blok free?
Blok is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Screen Time Buddy free?
Screen Time Buddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Blok or Screen Time Buddy?
Blok and Screen Time Buddy are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 733 and 9 ratings respectively.
Do Blok or Screen Time Buddy have ads?
Screen Time Buddy shows ads; Blok does not.
Which is updated more often, Blok or Screen Time Buddy?
Blok ships an update every 9 days, and Screen Time Buddy monthly. Most recently, Blok was updated on September 18, 2026 and Screen Time Buddy on September 21, 2026.

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