Grip vs TimeBack
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Grip
This app helps you regain control of your screen time by making distractions costly. It offers instant app blocks, daily limits, and scheduled focus sessions to combat doomscrolling and build better habits. The unique paywall mechanic encourages mindful usage of blocked applications.
- Instant app blocks
- Daily screen time limits
- Scheduled focus sessions
- Paid unblocks for controlled access
- Customizable unlock limits
- Automatic block scheduling
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The first app to make distractions costly ($4.99 to access Instagram or TikTok)—get a grip on your life with instant blocks, daily limits, and scheduled focus sessions. As the ultimate screen time control app, Grip helps you block apps, limit screen time, and build better habits. Successful people don't have stronger willpower, they use tools that aggressively protect their time and energy. Grip is that ironclad app blocker for anyone who: - Feels the drain of doomscrolling and excessive screen time - Tried other tools like basic blockers but bypassed them too easily - Wants a system to stop their smartphone from stealing focus Grip turns distractions into a real cost, so you treat your time like it's worth something. Rated 5 stars by users: "Finally, an app that works!" KEY FEATURES: 1. Power Grip: Instant App Blocks: Block distracting apps like Instagram or TikTok immediately for a set duration. Schedule automatic blocks—e.g., no social media for the first 30 minutes after waking up. Perfect for screen time control and daily focus. 2. Iron Grip: Indefinite Blocking with Limits: Apps stay blocked until you choose to unlock. Set custom limits on unlocks per app (frequency) and duration per session, giving you total control over usage. 3. Releases: Paid Unblocks for Controlled Access: Need a quick check? Use Releases—an in-app paid feature—to temporarily access blocked apps. Get 3 free emergency Releases per month with your subscription. This paywall mechanic ensures mindful decisions, unlike easy overrides in other focus apps. Download now and start your free trial! Subscription Terms: Grip offers a 3-day free trial, then $4.99/month or $59.99/year. Cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. LEGAL INFORMATION Terms of Use: https://joingrip.io/terms Privacy Policy: https://joingrip.io/privacy
TimeBack
This app helps you reduce screen time and avoid distractions by blocking addictive applications. It offers customizable blocking schedules, a 'Hard Mode' for complete phone lockdown, and an accountability feature that notifies friends when you override a block.
- App Blocking with custom schedules
- Ad-hoc timers
- Hard Mode for complete lockdown
- Accountability notifications for friends
- Block override options
- Tracking of schedules and goals
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TimeBack helps you cut screen time and avoid doomscrolling with scheduled or ad-hoc blocking. When you slip, friends are automatically notified to keep you accountable. Features: - App Blocking: Block distracting apps with custom schedules or ad-hoc timers. - Hard Mode: Block all apps at once to completely lock down your phone. - Block Overrides: Override a block for 5–60 minutes or until the end of day. - Accountability: If you override a block, your friends can be notified so excuses don’t go unnoticed. - Tracking: Track your schedules, goals, and overrides. Friends can see your progress and weakness moments, keeping you accountable while inspiring them to join. TimeBack simplifies reducing screen time by combining your focus intentions with social incentives. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: TimeBack at free with in-app purchases against Grip's subscription. On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. Grip sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and TimeBack sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Grip against 5.0 for TimeBack. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 30 and 36 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Grip ships an update every 2 weeks, TimeBack weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and August 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Grip | TimeBack |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (30 ratings) | 5.0 (36 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 30 | 36 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Subscription | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 37 MB | 42 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Joingrip LLC | Nicholas Camson |
Customer experience
Grip
TimeBack
In-app purchases
Grip
- Grip: Screen Time Control3 Days trial$4.991 Month
- Grip: Screen Time Control3 Days trial$59.991 Year
- 1 Release$4.99
TimeBack
- TimeBack Premium Weekly3 Days trial$1.997 Days
- TimeBack Premium Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
- TimeBack Premium Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
- TimeBack Premium$0.99
- 100 TimeBack Points$0.99
- 500 TimeBack Points$4.99
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- 1000 TimeBack Points$9.99
- 2500 TimeBack Points$19.99









