Comparison

StepBloc vs Useless

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

Head to head
About

StepBloc

This app helps you reduce screen time by requiring physical activity to unlock distracting apps. Earn your app access by completing workouts like push-ups, squats, or reaching step goals. Take control of your digital habits and improve your health simultaneously.

Highlights
  • Earn app access through push-ups, squats, or steps
  • Block distracting apps until goals are met
  • App blocking scheduler
  • Set daily usage limits
  • Track focus minutes
  • Digital habit insights and reports
  • HealthKit integration for step tracking
Features
Read full description

StepBloc lets you earn your screen time by doing Push-ups, Squats and other workouts. For example, you need to do 10 push-ups to use instagram for 10 mins. Just follow 3 simple steps: +Choose the distracting apps. +Set your goal (Push-ups, Squats, or Steps). +Move! Apps stay blocked until your goal is hit. Why should you download StepBloc? + Control how much time you spend on distracting apps. + Reduce your screen time. + Stay healthy by staying active. + Reclaim your focus. Key Features: + Steps to unblock: Distracted apps are blocked unless you completed required number of steps. + Push-Ups to unblock: Distracted apps are blocked unless you completed required number of Push-Ups. + Squats to unblock: Distracted apps are blocked unless you completed required number of Squats. + App Blocking Scheduler: Set specific times to block distracting apps, ensuring uninterrupted focus during work, study, or leisure time. + Usage Limits: Define daily usage limits for your distracted apps. + Focus Tracker: Measure your daily focus minutes and block distracting apps until you complete your focus minute target. + Insights: Gain valuable insights into your digital habits with detailed analytics and reports. + Secure and Private: Rest assured that your data is safe with StepBloc. All of your data stays in the device. Take control of your digital distractions, reclaim your focus, and unlock your full potential with StepBloc. Download now and experience the transformative power of mindful device management! The Monthly Pass Subscribe to monthly pass to get unlimited access to blocks. - Your payment will be charged to your iTunes Account as soon as you confirm your purchase. - Your subscription will renew automatically unless you turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - When you cancel a subscription, your subscription will stay active until the end of the period. - While cancelling, Auto-renewal will be disabled, but the current subscription will not be refunded By using the app, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use: Terms: https://hamsters.tech/stepbloc-t-c Privacy: https://hamsters.tech/stepbloc-privacy-policy HealthKit Integration: StepBloc accesses your step count data from HealthKit to incentivize healthy habits. By linking your daily step count with app usage, StepBloc rewards you with app access based on your physical activity level. This integration encourages movement and ensures that you strike a balance between screen time and physical wellness. Note: HealthKit data is used only if user decides to use Step Block as the blocking method in app.

About

Useless

This app leverages social accountability to help users reduce screen time. Instead of relying solely on personal willpower, friends control access to apps when daily limits are reached, fostering a collaborative approach to digital well-being.

Highlights
  • Friend accountability for app usage
  • Set daily app time limits
  • No snooze button on limits
  • Friends vote on time extension requests
  • Public 'Walk of Shame' for requests
  • Weekly leaderboards and progress tracking
Features
Read full description

Your friends are better than any app blocker. 4+ hours a day. That's what the average person hands their phone. useLess helps you take it back. Set rules for the apps that distract you, like a daily time limit or a focus schedule. When a rule kicks in, the app blocks. The catch that makes it work: other apps run on your willpower. useLess runs on your friends. Reclaim 2+ hours every day. You try harder when your friends are watching. Other apps give you a snooze button. useLess is different. Instead of white-knuckling it alone, your friends hold you accountable. When you get blocked and want more time, you'll have to ask them. HOW IT WORKS 1. Set rules for the apps you overuse: daily limits, focus schedules, whatever fits your life. 2. When a rule kicks in, the app blocks. 3. Need more time? Snap a photo explaining why, and send it to your friends. 4. Every request lands on the Walk of Shame, so your friends see exactly what you are begging for. FEATURES Ask a friend for time: When you are blocked, send a photo explaining why you need more time. Your friends keep you honest, and on stricter rules they decide if you get it. Walk of Shame: Every request is visible to the friends you choose. Watch them beg for "just 5 more minutes" of TikTok, and let them watch you. Weekly leaderboards: Compete on streaks, focus hours, and time spent on the apps that hook you. Daily limits: Give each app a daily time budget that resets every morning. Focus schedules: Block a set of apps on a schedule, like work hours or bedtime. Hardcore mode: Lock yourself out for real. Some rules only get stricter, and turning them off takes a friend's approval, or a 24-hour wait. WHY IT WORKS Other blockers fold the second you push back. useLess puts real people in the loop. Cutting back stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like a game. Real friends don't let friends doomscroll. WHAT PEOPLE SAY "Finally broke my 2-hour Instagram habit" - ThePampf "I've tried a bunch of screen time apps, but always found a way around them. This is the first app that actually works." - Marc "This was a life changer. My screen time has dropped by 5 hours." - N1coo PRICING useLess is free to start: set your rules, get blocked, and ask your friends to unlock you. The whole social loop is free. useLess Pro unlocks unlimited rules, Hardcore mode, the full leaderboard, and deeper stats. New users get a free 7-day trial. You can also earn free Pro: invite a friend and you both get a month free, and inviting 25 friends unlocks Pro for life. PRIVACY useLess uses Apple's Screen Time API. We never see which apps you use, what you view, or any personal content. Your screen time stays on your device. Only the requests you send are shared with the friends you choose. GET STARTED Download useLess. Add your friends. Set your rules. And finally get your time back. Stop scrolling. Start living. Questions or feedback? Reach us at https://dadama.app/ or email hello@dadama.app. Subscription: useLess Pro is an auto-renewing subscription with a free trial for new users. Cancel anytime in your Apple account settings. Privacy Policy: https://dadama.app/privacy Terms (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

StepBloc4 screens
Useless4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: StepBloc at freemium against Useless's subscription. StepBloc also leads on review sentiment (64% vs 34%) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. StepBloc sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Useless sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. 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 — 4.5 for StepBloc against 4.5 for Useless. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 485 and 287 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of StepBloc's written reviews are positive against 34% of Useless's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StepBloc ships an update weekly, Useless every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
StepBloc versus Useless: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStepBlocUseless
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (485 ratings)4.5 (287 ratings)
Positive reviews63.9% of reviews — better34.5% of reviews
Number of ratings485 — better287
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 10 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better18
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB131 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperHamsters TechnologyDaDaMa Ug (haftungsbeschränkt)

Customer experience

StepBloc

All ratings485 ratings
Positive87.4%
Neutral5.4%
Negative7.2%
Written reviews61 reviews
Positive63.9%
Neutral8.2%
Negative27.9%

Useless

All ratings287 ratings
Positive88.5%
Neutral3.1%
Negative8.4%
Written reviews58 reviews
Positive34.5%
Neutral3.4%
Negative62.1%

Bugs and requests

StepBloc

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Push-up counter can be cheated
  • Squat counter can be cheated
  • App keeps blocks after deletion
  • Push-up system is faulty
  • Squats not registered correctly
Show 7 more
  • Screen time rate incorrect
  • Analytics tab blank
  • Freezes phone
  • Push-up tracking measures face distance
  • App still blocks after exercise
  • Screen time shown is incorrect
  • Lifetime unlock price high

Requested features

14 requests
  • Accumulate screen time
  • Start day with screen time
  • Reset banked steps daily
  • Widget for progress tracking
  • Macbook app
Show 9 more
  • Nose detection mode
  • More exercise options (sit-ups, pull-ups)
  • Edit workouts for specific days
  • Bank minutes/time
  • Face-on push-up tracking
  • Camera tracking for exercises
  • Set multiple rules for exercise/time
  • See time left until next exercise
  • More free features

Useless

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

StepBloc

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pass$3.991 Month
  • Premium Pass7 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$29.99
15 purchases

Useless

Subscriptions13
  • Weekly$2.997 Days
  • Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Monthly1 Month trial$5.991 Month
Show 10 more
  • Monthly Sub7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Monthly1 Month trial$9.991 Month
  • Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Monthly7 Days trial$11.991 Month
  • Monthly1 Month trial$11.991 Month
  • Yearly1 Month trial$24.991 Year
  • Yearly7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Yearly1 Month trial$34.991 Year
  • Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Yearly1 Month trial$49.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime$69.99
  • Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is StepBloc free?
StepBloc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Useless free?
Useless is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, StepBloc or Useless?
StepBloc and Useless are both rated 4.5 out of 5 on the App Store, from 485 and 287 ratings respectively.
Do StepBloc or Useless have ads?
Neither StepBloc nor Useless shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StepBloc or Useless?
StepBloc ships an update weekly, and Useless every 10 days. Most recently, StepBloc was updated on October 12, 2026 and Useless on October 10, 2026.

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