Comparison

Grip vs TimeBack

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Instant app blocks
  • Daily screen time limits
  • Scheduled focus sessions
  • Paid unblocks for controlled access
  • Customizable unlock limits
  • Automatic block scheduling
Features
Read full description

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

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Grip4 screens
TimeBack4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Grip ships an update every 2 weeks, TimeBack weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and August 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Grip versus TimeBack: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGripTimeBack
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (30 ratings)5.0 (36 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3036 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB42 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperJoingrip LLCNicholas Camson

Customer experience

Grip

All ratings22 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

TimeBack

All ratings36 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Grip

Subscriptions2
  • Grip: Screen Time Control3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Grip: Screen Time Control3 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • 1 Release$4.99
8 purchases

TimeBack

Subscriptions3
  • TimeBack Premium Weekly3 Days trial$1.997 Days
  • TimeBack Premium Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • TimeBack Premium Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time5
  • TimeBack Premium$0.99
  • 100 TimeBack Points$0.99
  • 500 TimeBack Points$4.99
Show 2 more
  • 1000 TimeBack Points$9.99
  • 2500 TimeBack Points$19.99

Questions

Is Grip free?
Grip is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TimeBack free?
TimeBack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Grip or TimeBack?
Grip and TimeBack are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 30 and 36 ratings respectively.
Do Grip or TimeBack have ads?
Neither Grip nor TimeBack shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Grip or TimeBack?
Grip ships an update every 2 weeks, and TimeBack weekly. Most recently, Grip was updated on September 18, 2026 and TimeBack on August 29, 2026.

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