Comparison

GRDN vs Nudger

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

Head to head
About

GRDN

Enhance focus and build positive habits with a productivity app that integrates GTD, Pomodoro, and deep work principles. Block distractions, track your time, and stay accountable with friends.

Highlights
  • GTD task organization
  • Customizable Pomodoro timers
  • App blocking during focus sessions
  • Time tracking and analytics
  • Habit building with gamification
  • Social accountability features
  • Gratitude journaling
Features
Read full description

Real focus needs real blocking. GRDN locks the apps that steal your attention — for a session or all day — and gives the hours back to your projects: focus sessions, tasks, tracked time, and friends who cheer you on. The mindful part is real, too. When you need back into a blocked app, GRDN doesn't fight you: breathe through a short countdown, write one thing you're grateful for, and get ten honest minutes. Then it locks again. — BLOCK THE NOISE — • Real app blocking, not reminders: Instagram, TikTok, X stay locked • Session blocking while you focus, or scheduled all-day blocking • The Gate Pause: need back in? Breathe through a short countdown, write one gratitude, and get 10 honest minutes. Then it re-locks automatically. — DO THE WORK — • Pomodoro focus timer with lock-screen Live Activities — sessions that also hard-block your apps • Tasks and projects: priorities, recurring tasks, today planning, and two-way Google Calendar sync • Time tracking built for independent workers: focus sessions land on projects automatically — tracked, billable, exportable to CSV • Friends see your focus sessions and cheer the streak • Your garden grows as you focus — every session levels it up — WHY ONE APP? — Blockers win you the hour, then abandon it. To-do apps organize the hour, but can't protect it. GRDN is the only app that does both: every blocked distraction becomes an hour you can see — planned, timed, tracked, and witnessed. — FREE TIER — Pomodoro timer, tasks, projects, and basic time tracking. Free forever. No card required. — PREMIUM — Real app blocking, the Gate Pause, scheduled all-day blocking, friends and social, lock-screen Live Activities, Google Calendar sync, extended insights and history. $3.99/month or $34.99/year with a 30-day free trial. Cancel anytime in Settings. Opal charges $99/year for similar Screen Time blocking — GRDN is one-third the price. — FOR PEOPLE WHO'VE TRIED EVERYTHING — If you've installed Forest, Freedom, Opal, Todoist, or Toggl and still can't focus, GRDN is built for you. Structure will take you where willpower can't. Terms of Use: https://www.irons.design/grdn Privacy Policy: https://www.irons.design/grdn

About

Nudger

This app adapts to your energy levels and available time to create personalized focus sessions. It offers gentle check-ins to maintain presence and allows you to log your work for progress tracking. The goal is sustainable, flexible focus.

Highlights
  • Adaptive focus session design
  • Energy level integration
  • Gentle in-session check-ins
  • Work logging with NudgLog
  • Progress tracking
  • Flexible session structuring
Features
Read full description

The problem was never willpower. It's that focusing alone is hard. Nudger is the focus app that actually keeps you company. Start a session and it checks in like a friend would — warm, judgment-free nudges that keep you moving instead of guilt-tripping you. Whether you're studying, working, or just trying to begin, Nudger's got your back. WHAT YOU GET Focus sessions that fit you Set your own time, hit start, stay locked in. Your timer keeps perfect time even when your screen sleeps. Gentle check-ins Drifting off? Nudger pings you with a friendly "still with it?" and helps you reset — no shame spiral. Study & focus rooms Join a private room with a code and focus alongside others working toward their goals. Different goals, same focus. "I need a nudge" mode Can't get started? Nudger eases you in with just 5 minutes. Small steps beat blank screens. Daily focus cards Every session reveals patterns in how you work best — discover your focus archetype and watch your streak grow. Your focus journey Look back on everything you've done, saved day by day. Real progress you can actually see. WHO IT'S FOR Students, procrastinators, deep workers — anyone who's tried every timer app and still couldn't make focus stick. Because the missing piece was never another timer. It was someone in your corner. You're here. That's all that matters. Let's get the first 5 minutes done — together.

Screenshots

GRDN4 screens
Nudger4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Nudger at none against GRDN's 2. Nudger also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). 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. GRDN sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Nudger asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for GRDN against 5.0 for Nudger. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on August 6, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
GRDN versus Nudger: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGRDNNudger
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size96 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJeremy IronsSUCHETA ATUL DAMBALKAR

Customer experience

GRDN

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Nudger

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

GRDN

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Access$3.991 Month
  • Annual Access$34.991 Year
None

Nudger

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GRDN free?
GRDN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Nudger free?
Nudger is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, GRDN or Nudger?
GRDN and Nudger are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do GRDN or Nudger have ads?
Neither GRDN nor Nudger shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GRDN or Nudger?
GRDN ships an update every 2 months, and Nudger every 2 months. Most recently, GRDN was updated on August 6, 2026 and Nudger on September 19, 2026.

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