Comparison

ScreenBuddy vs TimeBack

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

TimeBack

Features
Read full description

Every time you open Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat on autopilot, TimeBack gets in your way. On purpose. Instead of blocking apps outright, TimeBack puts a mindful pause between you and the endless feed. Take a breath, tap the monster away, or solve a quick puzzle. If you still want to scroll after that, you're in. But most of the time, the impulsive urge passes. That's how you reduce doomscrolling naturally. No pure willpower required. HOW TO TAME THE MONSTER TimeBack intercepts impulsive app opens with a short exercise, a breathing pattern, a math challenge, or a playful monster-tap mechanic. Complete it, and the app unlocks. Each pause is a small win over a bad habit. You set a daily budget. The app tracks your streak. And there are no loopholes—the system is designed to stay firm so you don't have to. WHAT YOU GET Mindful Unlock Exercises: Break the autopilot loop with breathing, puzzles, or a monster tap. Daily Budgets: Set specific time limits for your most distracting apps. Streak Tracking: Build long-term, healthy habits and see your progress. Broad Compatibility: Works seamlessly with Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and more. No Hard Blocks: Just intentional friction that makes you think twice. THE NUMBERS The average person spends 2+ hours a day doomscrolling. Cut that in half, and you get back more than 3 years over a lifetime. Reclaim your time tonight. NOT JUST ANOTHER BLOCKER Strict blockers create resentment, and you usually find a workaround in 10 minutes. TimeBack works differently. It builds awareness, not resistance. Over time, you stop reaching for your phone not because you can't, but because you don't want to. Break the habit. Starting now. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

ScreenBuddy4 screens
TimeBack4 screens

Verdict

The call

ScreenBuddy and TimeBack are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 TimeBack sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $19.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
ScreenBuddy versus TimeBack: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenBuddyTimeBack
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (9 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings9 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJohn GaffneySergey Mast

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
1 purchases

TimeBack

Subscriptions1
  • TimeBack Premium Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year

Questions

Is ScreenBuddy free?
ScreenBuddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TimeBack free?
TimeBack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ScreenBuddy or TimeBack have ads?
Neither ScreenBuddy nor TimeBack shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ScreenBuddy or TimeBack?
ScreenBuddy ships an update every 3 weeks, and TimeBack every 3 weeks. Most recently, ScreenBuddy was updated on September 14, 2026 and TimeBack on September 9, 2026.

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