# Screen Time Buddy vs useLess

The clearest difference is ads: useLess at none against Screen Time Buddy's shown. useLess also leads on ratings volume (292 vs 10) and rating (4.5 vs 4.3). Screen Time Buddy's advantage is review sentiment (50% vs 36%). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Screen Time Buddy sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month and useLess sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

useLess holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: useLess has 292 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Screen Time Buddy's written reviews are positive against 36% of useLess's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Screen Time Buddy ships an update monthly, useLess every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Screen Time Buddy | useLess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-buddy-focus/id6535687314/reviews) | **[4.5 (292 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/useless-screen-time-blocker/id6755298184/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 10 | **292** |
| Positive reviews | **50.0% of reviews** | 36.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Size | 106 MB | 129 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.6** | 18 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Power Insights Company](https://appshunter.io/developer/1756924647) | [DaDaMa Ug (haftungsbeschränkt)](https://appshunter.io/developer/1852993941) |

## What reviewers say

### Screen Time Buddy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-buddy-focus/id6535687314)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Powermate Pro monthly | $24.99 | per month |
| Screen Time Buddy Pro Yearly | $59.99 | per year |


### useLess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/useless-screen-time-blocker/id6755298184)

This app helps you reduce screen time by using social accountability. Set limits on distracting apps, and if you need more time, you must ask friends for approval, making the process a game.

**Highlights:** Social accountability with friends, App blocking with daily limits, Focus schedules, Wall of Shame for requests, Weekly leaderboards, Hardcore mode for strict blocking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Monthly Sub | $6.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $11.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $34.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Screen Time Buddy free?

Screen Time Buddy 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, Screen Time Buddy or useLess?

useLess is rated higher. Screen Time Buddy averages 4.3 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while useLess averages 4.5 from 292 ratings.

### Do Screen Time Buddy or useLess have ads?

Screen Time Buddy shows ads; useLess does not.

### Which is updated more often, Screen Time Buddy or useLess?

Screen Time Buddy ships an update monthly, and useLess every 2 weeks. Most recently, Screen Time Buddy was updated on October 30, 2026 and useLess on November 5, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*