Arc vs AD Background
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Arc
This app helps you regain control of your screen time by setting session limits and providing smart nudges for your to-do lists. It offers advanced analytics to understand your scrolling habits and offers AI-powered recommendations for improvement.
- Session limits for automatic breaks
- Smart nudges for to-do reminders
- Integrated to-do lists
- Advanced session analytics
- AI-powered recommendations
- Bedtime mode with sleep reminders
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THE ARC DIFFERENCE Arc doesn't just block apps - it redirects your attention with a powerful three-part system: - Session Limits: Automatic breaks when a session has reached the set limit. No more unintentional doomscroll sessions. Daily limits are not helpful when the problem is getting sucked into the scroll hole and not realizing it. That's why we built session limits! - Smart Nudges: Gentle reminders about your to-dos while you scroll - Integrated To-Do Lists: Track what really matters, all in one place - Advanced Analytics: Track every session with precision. See exactly when you close apps yourself (exits) vs. when the timer saves you (lockouts). Discover your most addicting apps through unblock tracking, identify your best and worst self-control patterns, and get AI-powered recommendations tailored to YOUR behavior. No more guessing where to improve, the data shows you exactly which apps need stricter limits, where you're building great habits, and actionable steps to reduce your screen time based on real patterns, not generic advice or behavior patterns. HOW IT WORKS Select your distracting apps (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, etc.) Add your daily tasks and goals Get Nudged with your to-do tasks when you're mindlessly scrolling Session Limits create automatic breaks after extended sessions Watch scrolling turn into productivity BUILT FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE Set your bedtime to switch from productivity Nudges to Sleep Reminders. Arc adapts to help you make better use of your time all day long. PERFECT FOR: People who unconsciously doomscroll and want to stop Professionals who lose focus to social media Students procrastinating on assignments Anyone who wants to build healthy daily habits Scroll Goblins People tired of feeling guilty after doomscrolling START SEEING RESULTS Reclaim hours of your day Complete the tasks you've been avoiding Track scrolling habits through intelligent insights Build habits that stick Rebuild a healthy relationship with social media Feel accomplished, not guilty Download Arc and turn scrolling into productivity. Your goals are waiting. Terms of Use (EULA): https://arcapp.io/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://arcapp.io/privacy-policy
AD Background
This app helps Assistant Directors manage background actor numbers on set. It allows for easy logging, tracking of booked and present individuals, and vehicle information storage. Collaboration features are available for shared projects.
- Log background numbers for projects/days
- Store vehicle details and driver info
- Track needed, booked, and present BG
- Manage call times for BG arrival
- iCloud sync for projects
- CloudKit collaboration for shared projects (Pro)
- Share daily BG numbers
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For Assistant Directors who want simplicity in viewing their Background numbers. AD Background is built by Assistant Directors, for Assistant Directors. A streamlined tool to help you view, track, and manage your Background numbers with ease. Whether you’re checking in BG or setting them, AD Background keeps you up to date with characters, vehicles and updated totals. No more need for carrying stacks of skins in your pocket that slowly deteriorate. Have all the updated numbers at your fingertips. Features: • Simple Formatting – Log BG for different Projects or Days with a few taps of your finger. • Vehicle Directory – Store Car Make, Model, Year, Color and Driver Info all in one place. Even call the driver from directly in the app. • All Numbers – Quickly see all the numbers of BG in one place. Such as how many are needed, how many casting booked and then how many actually showed up. • Call Time Management – See the order in which BG are arriving all on one screen. • iCloud Sync – Your Projects automatically sync between your devices. • CloudKit Collaboration (Pro) – Create shared projects so other ADs can collaborate with you in the cloud. • Share Days - Simply share daily Background numbers with other ADs who don't use the app by copying the day to your phones clipboard. • Scan Call Sheets - Scan your Call Sheet to use Apple Intelligence to import your BG info quickly, no more manually entering. • Designed for ADs – Simple, fast, and built to match real-world set needs. Whether you’re working on a short film or a full production, AD Background helps keep your crew connected, informed, and ready to roll. Take the stress out of background, so you can focus on setting. Subscriptions AD Background offers optional auto-renewing Pro subscriptions that unlock CloudKit sharing (creating collaborative shares): - Pro Monthly – $1.99 per month, with a 1-week free trial. - Pro Annually – $17.99 per year, with a 2-week free trial. Only the user who creates a CloudKit share needs Pro. Accepting and using a share is free. Subscription terms - Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. - Subscriptions automatically renew unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the current period ends. - Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the current period ends, at the price shown above. - Free trials automatically convert to a paid subscription unless cancelled before the trial ends. (Not all regions offered free trials) - You can manage or cancel your subscription at any time in your App Store account settings. - Prices may vary by region. Legal Terms & Conditions: https://byadsforads.wixsite.com/badfads/terms-and-conditions/ad-background-t-c Privacy Policy: https://byadsforads.wixsite.com/badfads/privacy-policy/ad-background-pp Apple Standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: AD Background at 5.0 against Arc's 4.3. AD Background also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 64%). Arc's advantage is ratings volume (27 vs 4) and iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Arc sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days and AD Background sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
AD Background holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Arc has 27 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Arc's written reviews are positive against 100% of AD Background's.
Arc ships an update every 2 weeks, AD Background every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Arc | AD Background |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (27 ratings) | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 63.6% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 27 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 45 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Arc Labs LLC (MT) | By ADs, For ADs LLC |
Customer experience
Arc
AD Background
In-app purchases
Arc
- Arc Pro (Weekly)$5.997 Days
- Arc Pro Monthly$8.991 Month
- Arc Pro (Annual)3 Days trial$49.991 Year
AD Background
- Pro Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
- Pro Annually14 Days trial$17.991 Year









