# ScreenBuddy vs Blocus

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | ScreenBuddy | Blocus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenbuddy-app-blocker/id6748612438/reviews)** | [4.5 (226 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blocus-earn-screen-time/id6758338291/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **226** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 9.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 25 MB | 148 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [John Gaffney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1826566834) | [Diyar Dirik](https://appshunter.io/developer/1849149412) |

## What reviewers say

### ScreenBuddy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenbuddy-app-blocker/id6748612438)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ScreenBuddy Pro Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| ScreenBuddy Pro Annual | $39.99 | per year |
| ScreenBuddy Pro Lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |


### Blocus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blocus-earn-screen-time/id6758338291)

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly plan | $9.99 | per month |
| Yearly plan | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly plan | $49.99 | per year |
| Unlock | $0.99 | one-time |
| Unlock | $3.99 | one-time |
| Unlock | $8.99 | one-time |
| Unlock | $17.99 | one-time |
| Unlock | $44.99 | one-time |
| Unlock | $89.99 | one-time |


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