Comparison

ScreenBuddy vs PushUp Time

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

Head to head
About

ScreenBuddy

This app helps reduce screen time by introducing friction before accessing selected apps. It offers personalized daily limits and a pause before unlocking to break unconscious phone usage habits and combat digital addiction.

Highlights
  • Block selected apps 24/7
  • Pause before unlocking apps
  • Personalized daily screen time limits
  • Breaks unconscious phone use habits
  • Reduces digital addiction
  • Focus enhancement for work and study
Features
Read full description

ScreenBuddy uses friction to cut your screen time in half. Pick the apps that distract you most, and ScreenBuddy makes you wait 25 seconds before you can open them. Set a daily usage limit, and when it's gone, it's gone. HOW IT WORKS: - Select apps you want to limit. They are blocked 24/7 - Pause before you scroll. Wait before each unlock to break unconscious phone use - Personalized limits. Set a daily screen time limit you can commit to. Use it all at once or spread it out. Once it's gone, it's gone. WHY IT WORKS: Most app blockers are easy to bypass. You hit a limit, tap "ignore," and keep scrolling. ScreenBuddy works differently. Your apps are locked from the start, and the 25-second pause gives you time to reconsider before you open them. Over time, the phone habit fades because you keep interrupting it. ScreenBuddy helps you stop phone addiction without a full digital detox or dopamine detox. Just enough friction to stop doomscrolling and start living phone free. PERFECT FOR: - People who pick up their phone and don't remember why - Anyone trying to cut back on social media and brain rot content - Professionals who need distraction-free focus during work hours - Students struggling to stay on task - Parents who want to model better phone habits SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS: ScreenBuddy requires a premium subscription for full functionality. Choose monthly ($3.99), annual ($39.99 - 2 months free), or lifetime ($99.99) billing through your Apple ID. Your subscription automatically renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage your subscription anytime in your Apple ID account settings. PRIVACY: https://www.screenbuddyapp.com/privacy-policy TERMS: https://www.screenbuddyapp.com/terms-of-service

About

PushUp Time

Transform screen time into workout time by doing exercises to unlock distracting apps. On-device AI accurately counts your reps for push-ups, squats, and sit-ups. Choose your unlock duration and make mindless scrolling a thing of the past.

Highlights
  • AI rep counting on-device
  • Block distracting apps
  • Customizable unlock windows
  • Unlock single or multiple apps
  • Offline functionality
  • Supports push-ups, squats, sit-ups
Features
Read full description

Turn screen time into workout time. Do push-ups, squats, or sit-ups to unlock distracting apps. On-device AI counts your reps. HOW IT WORKS Try opening TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or X -> You'll need to do reps first -> Finish your set -> Get timed access (15-120 minutes). Transform mindless scrolling into active movement. FEATURES - AI counts your reps on-device – Push-ups, squats, sit-ups - Block the apps that distract you most - Choose your unlock window – 15, 30, 60, or 120 minutes - Unlock one app or all at once - No internet needed - Works on iPhone and iPad BUILD BETTER HABITS Every time you reach for social media, you'll do something good for your body instead. Great for anyone trying to cut down on phone time while staying active. PREMIUM PLANS Monthly: $12.99/month Yearly: $29.99/year Auto-renews unless you cancel 24+ hours before the period ends. Manage in Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions. QUESTIONS? Email us: support@pushuptimeapp.com Terms: https://pushuptimeweb.vercel.app/terms Privacy: https://pushuptimeweb.vercel.app/privacy EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

ScreenBuddy4 screens
PushUp Time3 screens

Verdict

The call

ScreenBuddy and PushUp Time both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of ScreenBuddy's written reviews are positive against 45% of PushUp Time's. ScreenBuddy also leads on ads (none vs shown). PushUp Time's advantage is monetization model (freemium vs subscription) and ratings volume (12K vs 9). On price, rating, in-app purchases and device support 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. ScreenBuddy sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and PushUp Time sells 7 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 — 4.6 for ScreenBuddy against 4.7 for PushUp Time. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PushUp Time has 12K ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of ScreenBuddy's written reviews are positive against 45% of PushUp Time's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ScreenBuddy ships an update every 3 weeks, PushUp Time every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
ScreenBuddy versus PushUp Time: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenBuddyPushUp Time
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (9 ratings)4.7 (12K ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better45.0% of reviews
Number of ratings912K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 8 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFreemium — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.617 — better
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB131 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJohn GaffneyMutasim Ibrahim

Customer experience

ScreenBuddy

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

PushUp Time

All ratings11,553 ratings
Positive92.1%
Neutral3.2%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews471 reviews
Positive45.0%
Neutral3.6%
Negative51.4%

Bugs and requests

ScreenBuddy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

PushUp Time

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App stuck in a loop
  • Endless login loop
  • App doesn't work as advertised

Requested features

1 request
  • Make the app free to download

In-app purchases

3 purchases

ScreenBuddy

Subscriptions2
  • ScreenBuddy Pro Monthly3 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • ScreenBuddy Pro Annual3 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • ScreenBuddy Pro Lifetime$99.99
7 purchases

PushUp Time

Subscriptions7
  • Weekly Premium$1.997 Days
  • Weekly$7.997 Days
  • Yearly Limited Time Offer$14.991 Year
Show 4 more
  • Monthly Premium$14.991 Month
  • Yearly$24.991 Year
  • Yearly Premium$29.991 Year
  • Yearly+$59.991 Year

Questions

Is ScreenBuddy free?
ScreenBuddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PushUp Time free?
PushUp Time is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ScreenBuddy or PushUp Time?
PushUp Time is rated higher. ScreenBuddy averages 4.6 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while PushUp Time averages 4.7 from 12K ratings.
Do ScreenBuddy or PushUp Time have ads?
PushUp Time shows ads; ScreenBuddy does not.
Which is updated more often, ScreenBuddy or PushUp Time?
ScreenBuddy ships an update every 3 weeks, and PushUp Time every 8 days. Most recently, ScreenBuddy was updated on September 14, 2026 and PushUp Time on September 28, 2026.

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