Comparison

SandBud vs touch grass

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

touch grass

This app helps you break free from mindless scrolling by blocking distracting applications. It requires you to verify that you've touched real grass before allowing access, encouraging you to connect with nature and reduce screen time.

Highlights
  • Block apps until grass is touched
  • Computer vision for grass detection
  • Track screen time progress
  • Flexible unblock durations
  • Block unlimited apps (premium)
  • View screen time history (premium)
Features
Read full description

touch grass block your apps until you literally touch grass. tired of mindless scrolling? touch grass helps you reclaim your time by blocking your most distracting apps until you connect with nature. key features: - block distracting apps until you verify touching grass - smart grass detection using computer vision - track your screen time progress - flexible unblock durations for your lifestyle - monthly free skip when you need it premium features: - block unlimited apps and categories - view your screen time history - deeper insights into your usage patterns impact: 50% of all skip purchase profits support uk rewilding projects. reduce your screen time while helping restore natural habitats. how it works: 1. choose apps to block 2. when you want to use them, take a photo of grass 3. enjoy your apps, knowing you've stepped outside perfect for: - breaking phone addiction - building healthier habits - finding balance with technology - reconnecting with nature - mindful tech usage requirements: - iphone running ios 17 or later - a patch of grass (real ones only!) touch grass: end the screen addiction. terms of use: https://touchgrass.now/terms

Screenshots

SandBud4 screens
touch grass4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: touch grass at 3K against SandBud's 30. SandBud's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 76%) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, ads 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. SandBud sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and touch grass sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SandBud holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: touch grass has 3K ratings behind it against 30, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of SandBud's written reviews are positive against 76% of touch grass's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SandBud ships an update weekly, touch grass every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SandBud versus touch grass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSandBudtouch grass
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (30 ratings) — better4.7 (3K ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better76.3% of reviews
Number of ratings303K — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size281 MB80 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSean Kuannery Media, LLCRhys Kentish

Customer experience

SandBud

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

touch grass

All ratings2,994 ratings
Positive91.8%
Neutral4.0%
Negative4.2%
Written reviews283 reviews
Positive76.3%
Neutral12.0%
Negative11.7%

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

touch grass

From 3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great concept
  • 👍 Motivates users to go outside
  • 💡 Unique approach to reducing screen time
  • 🚀 Works well for most users
  • 👍 Simple and intuitive UI

Room to improve

  • 💰 Subscription model limits free features
  • 🐛 Issues with grass detection in certain conditions
  • 🔒 Ability to bypass restrictions with minimal effort
  • 🕰️ Time frame settings can be confusing
  • 🌱 Challenges for users in areas with limited greenery

Bugs and requests

SandBud

No bugs or feature requests surfaced in reviews.

touch grass

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Camera menu going black
  • Inconsistent app behavior after touching grass
  • Issues with app recognizing grass in certain conditions

Requested features

5 requests
  • More flexible scheduling options
  • Ability to block more than 2 apps in free version
  • Flashlight or low-light detection for night use
  • Expanded detection for different outdoor surfaces
  • Social features to share outdoor experiences

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
10 purchases

touch grass

Subscriptions6
  • touch grass pro monthly$2.991 Month
  • tg pro weekly$3.997 Days
  • touch grass pro monthly$5.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • tg pro monthly$8.991 Month
  • touch grass yearly$49.991 Year
  • touch grass yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time4
  • touch grass skip credit$0.99
  • 2 touch grass skip credits$1.99
  • 3 touch grass skip credits$2.99
Show 1 more
  • 5 touch grass skip credits$4.99

Questions

Is SandBud free?
SandBud is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is touch grass free?
touch grass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SandBud or touch grass?
SandBud is rated higher. SandBud averages 4.9 out of 5 from 30 ratings, while touch grass averages 4.7 from 3K ratings.
Do SandBud or touch grass have ads?
Neither SandBud nor touch grass shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SandBud or touch grass?
SandBud ships an update weekly, and touch grass every 3 weeks. Most recently, SandBud was updated on November 5, 2026 and touch grass on November 4, 2026.

Other comparisons