# Grip vs TimeBack

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Grip | TimeBack |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (30 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grip-screen-time-control/id6744878853/reviews) | [5.0 (36 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timeback-block-addictive-apps/id6748564790/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 30 | **36** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 37 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.6** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Joingrip LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1809720479) | [Nicholas Camson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1695630069) |

## What reviewers say

### Grip

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grip-screen-time-control/id6744878853)

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:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Grip: Screen Time Control | $4.99 | per month |
| Grip: Screen Time Control | $59.99 | per year |
| 1 Release | $4.99 | one-time |


### TimeBack

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timeback-block-addictive-apps/id6748564790)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TimeBack Premium Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| TimeBack Premium Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| TimeBack Premium Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| TimeBack Premium | $0.99 | one-time |
| 100 TimeBack Points | $0.99 | one-time |
| 500 TimeBack Points | $4.99 | one-time |
| 1000 TimeBack Points | $9.99 | one-time |
| 2500 TimeBack Points | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Best Screen Time Control App
- 👍 Great Tool
- 👍 Great way to reduce screen time
- 👍 Smooth
- 👍 Productivity increased working from home


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