Onsen Tamago vs StayBack
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Onsen Tamago
This app encourages focused work sessions by gamifying phone usage. Users engage in a virtual onsen experience that progresses as they stay off their device for set periods. It aims to improve concentration and well-being through mindful breaks.
- Gamified focus timer
- Virtual onsen experience
- Encourages phone-free time
- Promotes well-being
- Progressive onsen growth
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Put your phone away and bath your mind in this Onsen. It takes 25 minutes to enjoy the full health benefit.
StayBack
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Ever wondered why it's so hard to put down your phone? Because it's right there. StayBack solves this with a simple but effective approach: complete a quick challenge to unlock your restricted apps and earn 15 minutes of screen time. Three unlock challenges to make you "snap out of it" before picking up your phone: PREFRONTAL ACTIVATION Complete 5 rounds of timed "subtract 7" mental math. This engages your prefrontal cortex and breaks the autopilot scrolling loop. After finishing, you may realize you didn't really need your phone. VOCABULARY CHALLENGE Learn 3 English words each time you unlock - memorize, then spell. Turn the urge to check your phone into a learning opportunity and build your vocabulary without even trying. DISTANCE UNLOCK Your iPhone and Apple Watch measure real-time distance via Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology. Walk at least 5 meters away to unlock. Physical separation works better than willpower. KEY FEATURES - Choose which apps or categories to restrict - Set daily time limits - Apps lock automatically when time runs out - Three unlock methods to choose from - Apple Watch real-time distance display (for distance unlock) - Runs entirely on-device, zero data uploaded PRIVACY StayBack collects no personal data. No accounts, no cloud, no analytics, no ads. Everything stays on your device. REQUIREMENTS - iPhone 11 or later (UWB required for distance unlock) - Apple Watch (for distance unlock) - iOS 17+ Free download. No in-app purchases. No ads. A small tool by an indie developer, hoping to help you reclaim a little time.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: StayBack at every 2 weeks against Onsen Tamago's every 2 months. Onsen Tamago's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Onsen Tamago ships an update every 2 months, StayBack every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Onsen Tamago | StayBack |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 229 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Troubadour Game Studio LLC | Shanghai Jiyou Information Technology Service Center |
In-app purchases
Onsen Tamago
No in-app purchases
StayBack
No in-app purchases
