Comparison

ScreenBuddy vs Facedown

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 makes distracting apps harder to open, on purpose. 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

Facedown

Features
Read full description

Your partner gets a push notification every time you open a blocked app. That's it. That's the whole app. Facedown is a screen time accountability app for couples. Both partners select apps they want to block. When either partner bypasses a block, the other is notified instantly. Both see each other's streak on their home screen widget. Why it works: Self-control apps fail because you're your own enforcer. Facedown works because someone you love is counting on you. FEATURES: • Block any app or category with Apple's native Screen Time framework • Instant push notification when your partner bypasses a block • Shared streaks — see how long you've both stayed clean • Home-screen widget showing your streak and theirs • Pair in seconds with a simple 6-character code FREE: • Full app blocking and shield • Personal streak tracking • Widget (your streak) PREMIUM ($9.99/month or $49.99/year): • Your first partner gets premium free • Your partner sees an alert the moment you bypass (when paired) • Streaks you build together, not alone • 7-day free trial on the yearly plan Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://facedown.app/privacy.html

Screenshots

ScreenBuddy4 screens
Facedown4 screens

Verdict

The call

ScreenBuddy and Facedown are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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 Facedown sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
ScreenBuddy versus Facedown: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenBuddyFacedown
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (10 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings10 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJohn GaffneySEN HUANG

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
2 purchases

Facedown

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is ScreenBuddy free?
ScreenBuddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Facedown free?
Facedown is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ScreenBuddy or Facedown have ads?
Neither ScreenBuddy nor Facedown shows ads.

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