Comparison

ScreenBuddy vs Blocus

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

Blocus

This app helps you break distraction habits and regain control of your time by blocking distracting apps and websites. It offers various enforcement modes, from gentle nudges to strict, irreversible blocks, and allows unlocking distractions only after completing specific tasks or challenges.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps and websites
  • Set daily limits and smart schedules
  • Extreme Mode for irreversible blocking
  • Unlock distractions via challenges or tasks
  • PIN Code Mode for external accountability
  • Integrates with system Screen Time
Read full description

Blocus – The Focus App That Actually Stops You From Cheating Blocus is a powerful focus and productivity app designed to help you break distraction habits and regain control of your time. Whether you need gentle nudges or absolute enforcement, Blocus adapts to your willpower — or replaces it when needed. Block distracting apps and websites using Blocklists or Allowlists, set daily limits, or automate focus with smart schedules. Blocus integrates seamlessly with Screen Time, ensuring reliable and system-level blocking you can trust. For moments when discipline isn't enough, Blocus offers strict enforcement modes: Extreme Mode A fully irreversible block. Once activated, it cannot be ended early — no tricks, no loopholes, no excuses. Challenges & Unlock Tasks Unlock distractions only after completing meaningful actions: • Steps or workout challenges • Push-ups, squats, planks • Pomodoro sessions • Sudoku or math challenges • Location-based unlocks PIN Code Mode A trusted friend receives a unique unlock code — so only someone else can free you. Perfect for real accountability. Advanced Control & Convenience • Smart schedules by time or day • Flexible or ultra-strict configurations Whether you're studying, working, training your focus, or fighting phone addiction — Blocus gives you the structure you need and the freedom you earn. Stop negotiating with distractions. Block them. Commit. Focus with Blocus. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.blocus-app.com/privacy

Screenshots

ScreenBuddy4 screens
Blocus4 screens

Verdict

The call

ScreenBuddy and Blocus both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of ScreenBuddy's written reviews are positive against 9% of Blocus's. Blocus's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks). 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. ScreenBuddy sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Blocus sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. 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 4.5 for Blocus. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Blocus has 226 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 9% of Blocus's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ScreenBuddy ships an update every 3 weeks, Blocus every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ScreenBuddy versus Blocus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenBuddyBlocus
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (9 ratings) — better4.5 (226 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better9.1% of reviews
Number of ratings9226 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB148 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJohn GaffneyDiyar Dirik

Customer experience

ScreenBuddy

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

Blocus

All ratings226 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral4.0%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive9.1%
Neutral18.2%
Negative72.7%

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
10 purchases

Blocus

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly plan$9.991 Month
  • Yearly plan$29.991 Year
  • Yearly$39.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly plan7 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time6
  • Unlock$0.99
  • Unlock$3.99
  • Unlock$8.99
Show 3 more
  • Unlock$17.99
  • Unlock$44.99
  • Unlock$89.99

Questions

Is ScreenBuddy free?
ScreenBuddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Blocus free?
Blocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ScreenBuddy or Blocus?
ScreenBuddy is rated higher. ScreenBuddy averages 4.6 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Blocus averages 4.5 from 226 ratings.
Do ScreenBuddy or Blocus have ads?
Neither ScreenBuddy nor Blocus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ScreenBuddy or Blocus?
ScreenBuddy ships an update every 3 weeks, and Blocus every 3 days. Most recently, ScreenBuddy was updated on September 14, 2026 and Blocus on September 13, 2026.

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