Comparison

Breaktime vs Useless

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

Head to head
About

Breaktime

This app helps you regain control over your screen time by blocking distracting applications. It requires you to set a duration for app usage and start a timed break before accessing blocked apps, ensuring accountability and promoting digital wellbeing.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps 24/7
  • Timed breaks for app access
  • Customizable delay for reconsideration
  • Strict Mode with no bypasses
  • Travel Mode for automatic unblocking
  • Scheduled recurring blocking
  • Daily limit goals and streaks
Features
Read full description

How it works: - Block apps permanently or set a schedule - Friction before EVERY unlock with 14+ different modes - Set a time limit on how long you'll unlock for - When your time's up your apps are automatically reblocked Other features designed for focus: - 14+ friction modes to help you reconsider: pushups, eye contact, tap to unlock, typing a quote or a breathing cycle and more. - Strict Mode, where no breaks or bypasses are allowed. - Travel Mode, automatically unblock apps when you're away from home. - Scheduling: Setup automatic recurring blocking. - Set a daily limit goal and stay motivated with streaks. - Advanced customisations to suit your focus needs. - No collection of your phone usage or personal data. - Minimal UI designed as simple as possible to be less stimulating and distracting. - Lightning-fast setup. You’re ready to go in 30 seconds. In a world where apps do everything they can now to keep you scrolling, Breaktime is designed to give you back control. It takes a different approach, believing that being intentional with your downtime and deciding how long you want to spend on an app beforehand is essential to digital wellbeing. It’s built for the people who value their focus, productivity, and time away from your phone. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy policy: https://breaktimeapp.github.io/privacy-policy

About

Useless

This app leverages social accountability to help users reduce screen time. Instead of relying solely on personal willpower, friends control access to apps when daily limits are reached, fostering a collaborative approach to digital well-being.

Highlights
  • Friend accountability for app usage
  • Set daily app time limits
  • No snooze button on limits
  • Friends vote on time extension requests
  • Public 'Walk of Shame' for requests
  • Weekly leaderboards and progress tracking
Features
Read full description

Your friends are better than any app blocker. 4+ hours a day. That's what the average person hands their phone. useLess helps you take it back. Set rules for the apps that distract you, like a daily time limit or a focus schedule. When a rule kicks in, the app blocks. The catch that makes it work: other apps run on your willpower. useLess runs on your friends. Reclaim 2+ hours every day. You try harder when your friends are watching. Other apps give you a snooze button. useLess is different. Instead of white-knuckling it alone, your friends hold you accountable. When you get blocked and want more time, you'll have to ask them. HOW IT WORKS 1. Set rules for the apps you overuse: daily limits, focus schedules, whatever fits your life. 2. When a rule kicks in, the app blocks. 3. Need more time? Snap a photo explaining why, and send it to your friends. 4. Every request lands on the Walk of Shame, so your friends see exactly what you are begging for. FEATURES Ask a friend for time: When you are blocked, send a photo explaining why you need more time. Your friends keep you honest, and on stricter rules they decide if you get it. Walk of Shame: Every request is visible to the friends you choose. Watch them beg for "just 5 more minutes" of TikTok, and let them watch you. Weekly leaderboards: Compete on streaks, focus hours, and time spent on the apps that hook you. Daily limits: Give each app a daily time budget that resets every morning. Focus schedules: Block a set of apps on a schedule, like work hours or bedtime. Hardcore mode: Lock yourself out for real. Some rules only get stricter, and turning them off takes a friend's approval, or a 24-hour wait. WHY IT WORKS Other blockers fold the second you push back. useLess puts real people in the loop. Cutting back stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like a game. Real friends don't let friends doomscroll. WHAT PEOPLE SAY "Finally broke my 2-hour Instagram habit" - ThePampf "I've tried a bunch of screen time apps, but always found a way around them. This is the first app that actually works." - Marc "This was a life changer. My screen time has dropped by 5 hours." - N1coo PRICING useLess is free to start: set your rules, get blocked, and ask your friends to unlock you. The whole social loop is free. useLess Pro unlocks unlimited rules, Hardcore mode, the full leaderboard, and deeper stats. New users get a free 7-day trial. You can also earn free Pro: invite a friend and you both get a month free, and inviting 25 friends unlocks Pro for life. PRIVACY useLess uses Apple's Screen Time API. We never see which apps you use, what you view, or any personal content. Your screen time stays on your device. Only the requests you send are shared with the friends you choose. GET STARTED Download useLess. Add your friends. Set your rules. And finally get your time back. Stop scrolling. Start living. Questions or feedback? Reach us at https://dadama.app/ or email hello@dadama.app. Subscription: useLess Pro is an auto-renewing subscription with a free trial for new users. Cancel anytime in your Apple account settings. Privacy Policy: https://dadama.app/privacy Terms (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Breaktime4 screens
Useless4 screens

Verdict

The call

Breaktime and Useless both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 76% of Breaktime's written reviews are positive against 34% of Useless's. Breaktime also leads on monetization model (freemium vs subscription) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 10 days). Useless's advantage is ratings volume (287 vs 69). 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. Breaktime sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Useless sells 15 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 — 4.6 for Breaktime against 4.5 for Useless. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 69 and 287 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 76% of Breaktime's written reviews are positive against 34% of Useless's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Breaktime ships an update every 5 days, Useless every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Breaktime versus Useless: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBreaktimeUseless
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (69 ratings) — better4.5 (287 ratings)
Positive reviews76.5% of reviews — better34.5% of reviews
Number of ratings69287 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 10 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better18
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB131 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperNathan ChanDaDaMa Ug (haftungsbeschränkt)

Customer experience

Breaktime

All ratings69 ratings
Positive88.4%
Neutral5.8%
Negative5.8%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive76.5%
Neutral11.8%
Negative11.8%

Useless

All ratings287 ratings
Positive88.5%
Neutral3.1%
Negative8.4%
Written reviews58 reviews
Positive34.5%
Neutral3.4%
Negative62.1%

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Breaktime

Subscriptions6
  • Breaktime Premium7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Breaktime Premium7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Breaktime Premium - Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Breaktime Premium7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Breaktime Premium7 Days trial$34.991 Year
  • Breaktime Premium - Annually7 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Promo$24.99
15 purchases

Useless

Subscriptions13
  • Weekly$2.997 Days
  • Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Monthly1 Month trial$5.991 Month
Show 10 more
  • Monthly Sub7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Monthly1 Month trial$9.991 Month
  • Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Monthly7 Days trial$11.991 Month
  • Monthly1 Month trial$11.991 Month
  • Yearly1 Month trial$24.991 Year
  • Yearly7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Yearly1 Month trial$34.991 Year
  • Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Yearly1 Month trial$49.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime$69.99
  • Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is Breaktime free?
Breaktime is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Useless free?
Useless is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Breaktime or Useless?
Breaktime is rated higher. Breaktime averages 4.6 out of 5 from 69 ratings, while Useless averages 4.5 from 287 ratings.
Do Breaktime or Useless have ads?
Neither Breaktime nor Useless shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Breaktime or Useless?
Breaktime ships an update every 5 days, and Useless every 10 days. Most recently, Breaktime was updated on October 15, 2026 and Useless on October 10, 2026.

Other comparisons