Comparison

Tether vs LockBuddy

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Tether

This app helps you break free from excessive screen time by introducing friction to app usage. It allows you to block apps, websites, and categories with customizable difficulty levels for ending sessions, promoting stronger phone habits.

Highlights
  • App and website blocking
  • Customizable session difficulty
  • Focus modes (indefinite, countdown, Pomodoro)
  • Scheduled sessions
  • Reusable blocklists
  • Strict Mode to prevent loopholes
  • Live Activity and Dynamic Island integration
Features
Read full description

You open your phone for "just a second" and lose 45 minutes to scrolling. Tether is an app blocker built to break that loop with real friction. Block apps, websites, and categories, then choose how hard it should be to stop: tap out, scan an NFC tag, scan a QR code, or get approval from someone you trust. Focus modes for real life - Indefinite sessions when you just need to stay locked in - Countdown sessions for deep work, study, and sprints - Pomodoro sessions with built-in breaks - Scheduled sessions for work hours, bedtimes, and daily routines Why Tether works - Create reusable blocklists for work, study, sleep, and weekends - Use Allow Mode to block everything except what you need - Turn on Strict Mode to prevent easy loopholes mid-session - Keep emergency overrides for genuine exceptions - See your session with Live Activity and Dynamic Island - Sync across devices so your rules stay consistent Tether is for people who want less screen time, stronger phone habits, and a system that's harder to cheat. Make distractions harder to reach, make quitting harder to justify, and make focus easier to keep. Terms of Use: https://www.tetherto.me/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.tetherto.me/privacy

About

LockBuddy

This app helps you enforce your own Screen Time limits by locking distracting applications. It allows you to set daily limits, create strict lock days, and even designate a trusted person as a Guardian for added accountability. It's designed for adults seeking fewer loopholes in managing their digital habits.

Highlights
  • Per-app daily limits
  • Strict lock for no-change days
  • Local Guardian Code for protected edits
  • Break passes for emergencies
  • Shareable unlock request messages
  • Local event log
Features
Read full description

LockBuddy helps you protect your own Screen Time rules when willpower is not enough. Choose distracting apps, set daily limits, and let iPhone shield those apps when their time is up. For stronger accountability, add a trusted person as your Guardian and let them hold the local Guardian Code for sensitive changes. LockBuddy is built for adults who want fewer loopholes: - Per-app daily limits - Strict Lock for no-change days - Local Guardian Code for protected edits - Break passes for limited emergencies - Shareable unlock request messages - Shareable local event log - No account required - No backend required LockBuddy uses Apple's Screen Time frameworks. App selections are private system tokens, and your settings stay on your device.

Screenshots

Tether4 screens
LockBuddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tether at 5.0 against LockBuddy's 2.0. Tether also leads on ratings volume (8 vs 1). LockBuddy's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Tether sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $5.49 per month. LockBuddy asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tether holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tether has 8 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Tether versus LockBuddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTetherLockBuddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (8 ratings) — better2.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 10 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size44 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUndrift LLCKRISHNA PINNAMANENI

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Tether

Subscriptions5
  • Tether Pro Monthly Member$5.491 Month
  • Tether Pro Free Trial3 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Tether Pro Monthly$6.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Tether Pro Yearly Member$24.491 Year
  • Tether Pro Yearly$34.991 Year
One-time2
  • Tether Pro Lifetime Member$79.99
  • Tether Pro Lifetime$99.99
None

LockBuddy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tether free?
Tether is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LockBuddy free?
LockBuddy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Tether or LockBuddy?
Tether is rated higher. Tether averages 5.0 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while LockBuddy averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Tether or LockBuddy have ads?
Neither Tether nor LockBuddy shows ads.

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