Comparison

SandBud vs Atten

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

Head to head
About

SandBud

This app helps you reclaim your screen time and build focus habits by blocking distracting applications. It gamifies the process by allowing you to design a virtual zen garden with elements earned from completed focus sessions. Stay present, reduce scrolling, and cultivate mindfulness with rewarding progress tracking.

Highlights
  • Block apps with focus plans
  • Design a virtual zen garden
  • Earn rewards for focus streaks
  • Track daily focus progress
  • Enter deep focus with Zen Mode
  • Take timed breaks
  • View screen time reports
Features
Read full description

Less brainrot. More living. SandBud is a focus app that makes putting your phone down REWARDING. Block distracting apps, and earn rewards when you focus. The best part? You can grow your own zen garden and show off your focus progress while you are resetting your phone habit. Designed by the former TikTok product team, SandBud makes focus fun! We use proven behavioral psychology hacks to reverse-engineer the brainrot, so you will fall in love with being present again! Meet Bud, your little focus butler. He’s here to remind you to spend less time scrolling and more time doing your thing. Studying. Working. Having dinner without checking what everyone else is having for dinner. HOW SandBud WORKS Choose your distractions Select the apps you want to take a break from. Make a focus plan Set aside time for work, study, winding down, or being with people you care about. TimeBack blocks your selected apps during your focus session, so you don't brainrot. Earn something worth looking forward to Complete your focus session to earn rewards for your garden. Grow plants, unlock surprise collections, and make your little space your own. SCREEN TIME CONTROL WITH SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO You already know you want to scroll less and stop the brainrot. SandBud gives you a reason to follow through: a little progress, a little surprise, and a garden that grows with your effort. • App Blocker — Block distracting apps when you want to focus. • Focus Plans — Make room in your day for the things you keep putting off. • Zen Garden — Turn completed sessions into rewards and a space you can build. • Surprise Collections — Discover new things to unlock as you keep going. • Zen Mode — Start a distraction-free moment when you need one. • Screen Time Reports — See your screen time breakdown and follow your progress. BE PRESENT, ONE SESSION AT A TIME One quick check can turn into an hour of brainrot. Give yourself a break from the feed and make room for your own life. Practice mindfulness while studying, working, or spending time with someone you love. Your phone can wait. Bud is excellent at waiting. Start your first focus plan. Give your attention somewhere better to go. BUILT WITH APPLE’S SCREEN TIME API SandBud uses Apple’s Screen Time API to block the apps you select. TERMS & PRIVACY Terms of Use: https://gettimeback.app/terms-of-use/ Privacy Policy: https://gettimeback.app/privacy-policy/

About

Atten

This app helps you regain control of your digital time by blocking distracting apps and websites. Set customizable limits and schedules to improve focus, boost productivity, and build healthier screen time habits.

Highlights
  • App and website blocking
  • Customizable limits and schedules
  • Strict mode for unbreakable focus
  • Multi-device sync
  • Parental controls
  • Usage and progress tracking
Features
Read full description

9 out of 10 users reduce unwanted screen time in the first week Users save an average of 90+ minutes daily Conquer distractions, master your focus, and build healthier digital habits. Whether you need to ace your exams, achieve deep work, or simply be more present, Atten is your all-in-one tool to take back control of your time. Block Apps, Websites & Social Media to Reclaim Your Time! Atten helps you block distracting apps and websites, manage your screen time, and build a healthier relationship with your phone. Join thousands of users who are reducing distractions and boosting their productivity in just a few taps. Why Atten? ▶ App & Website Blocker: Instantly block any app or website that pulls you away from your goals. Your perfect social media blocker, distraction blocker, and dopamine detox tool. ▶ Customizable Limits & Schedules: Set daily app timers or schedule blocks for specific times. Automatically enforce focus during work, study, or bedtime routines. ▶ Unbreakable Strict Mode: Stay committed to your goals by making your schedules and limits impossible to bypass. ▶ Seamless Multi-Device Sync: Sync all your blocks, limits, and schedules across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Maintain focus and consistency, no matter which device you're using. ▶ Powerful Parental Controls: Easily set up Atten on your child's device. Block apps, limit screen time, and lock the settings with a passcode to ensure they stay protected and focused. ▶ Usage & Progress Tracking: Monitor your daily, weekly, and monthly app usage with our screen time tracker. Visualize your progress and stay motivated on your digital wellbeing journey. ▶ Home & Lock Screen Widgets: Activate blocks or view timers instantly from your Home Screen. Staying on track has never been easier. For Students: A Distraction-Free Study Zone Block distracting apps and sites to create the optimal study environment. Stop procrastination, improve concentration, and boost your academic performance. For Professionals: Maximize Your Productivity Eliminate digital noise during work hours. Protect your focus, get more done, and reclaim valuable time lost to mindless scrolling and notifications. For Everyone: Build Healthier Habits Atten is more than a blocker—it's a tool for digital wellbeing. Use it to: Promote better sleep by reducing evening screen time. Be more present with friends and family. Support your mental health by creating space for mindfulness and relaxation. Ready to take control? Download Atten today and start your journey to a more focused and productive life! Terms of Service: http://www.atten.app/terms Privacy Policy: http://www.atten.app/privacy-policy

Screenshots

SandBud4 screens
Atten4 screens

Verdict

The call

SandBud and Atten both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of SandBud's written reviews are positive against 90% of Atten's. Atten's advantage is ratings volume (157 vs 30) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. SandBud sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Atten sells 5 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 — 4.9 for SandBud against 4.7 for Atten. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Atten has 157 ratings behind it against 30, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of SandBud's written reviews are positive against 90% of Atten's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SandBud versus Atten: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSandBudAtten
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (30 ratings) — better4.7 (157 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better90.3% of reviews
Number of ratings30157 — better
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size281 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSean Kuannery Media, LLCThird tech

Customer experience

SandBud

All ratings30 ratings
Positive96.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews26 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Atten

All ratings139 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral1.4%
Negative3.6%
Written reviews62 reviews
Positive90.3%
Neutral4.8%
Negative4.8%

User reviews

SandBud

From 30 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Thoughtfully designed
  • 👍 Helps save from bad habits
  • 👍 Blend of technology and mindfulness
  • 👍 Gamified experience for reducing screen time
  • 👍 Nurtures a positive habit

Atten

From 157 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💰 Affordable pricing compared to competitors like Opal
  • 🔒 Effective strict blocking that prevents app access
  • 🎨 Beautiful and intuitive user interface design
  • ⏱️ Customizable scheduling and time limits for apps
  • 🎯 Significantly reduces screen time and improves focus

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App crashes and occasional bugs during use
  • 🐛 Glitches allowing access to blocked apps intermittently
  • ⏱️ Inaccurate app usage time tracking
  • 🔄 Repetitive rating popup appears too frequently
  • 🌍 Limited language support (primarily English)

Bugs and requests

SandBud

No bugs or feature requests surfaced in reviews.

Atten

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • App crashes when selecting websites to block
  • Website blocking crashes and is unreliable
  • Cannot modify or delete permanently active sessions without reinstalling
  • Unselected apps still get blocked despite deselection
  • Instagram blocking not working while other social apps block correctly
Show 2 more
  • App crashes during setup process
  • Occasional freezing and lag requiring full app restart

Requested features

12 requests
  • Fully customizable popup messages without fixed text
  • Option to add 'Don't show this again' button to rating prompts
  • Less frequent rating/feedback popups (every 6-12 months)
  • Clone sessions or create reusable app lists
  • Move break button to main menu for easier access
Show 7 more
  • Limit break duration to prevent abuse
  • MacOS version of the app
  • More iOS shortcuts and widgets
  • Chinese language support (Traditional and Simplified)
  • Additional language translations
  • Ability to edit or delete active sessions
  • Action button integration for quick focus mode activation

In-app purchases

2 purchases

SandBud

Subscriptions2
  • TimeBack Premium (Monthly)7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • TimeBack Premium (Yearly)7 Days trial$59.991 Year
5 purchases

Atten

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Plan$2.997 Days
  • Monthly Plan3 Days trial2 variants$2.991 Month
  • Yearly Plan3 Days trial2 variants$19.991 Year
One-time2
  • Atten Pro | Lifetime$39.99
  • Atten Pro | Lifetime (Family)$44.99

Questions

Is SandBud free?
SandBud is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Atten free?
Atten is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SandBud or Atten?
SandBud is rated higher. SandBud averages 4.9 out of 5 from 30 ratings, while Atten averages 4.7 from 157 ratings.
Do SandBud or Atten have ads?
Neither SandBud nor Atten shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SandBud or Atten?
SandBud ships an update weekly, and Atten weekly. Most recently, SandBud was updated on November 5, 2026 and Atten on November 4, 2026.

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