Comparison

Face Down vs Ticking

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

Head to head
About

Face Down

Features
Read full description

Face Down helps you reclaim focus and manage screen time with two powerful modes. FOCUS MODE — Digital Wellbeing Place your phone face-down and lock it to stay focused on what truly matters. Perfect for deep work, studying, meals with family, or simply disconnecting. • Automatic session tracking when phone is face-down • Daily streak counter to build healthy habits • Session history to visualize your progress • Achievement system to celebrate milestones • Gentle reminders to maintain your focus routine CHILD LOCK MODE — Screen Time Control Set a timer to lock your device for a specific duration. A simple, effective tool for managing kids' screen time during homework, bedtime, or family time. • Manual timer lock with custom durations • PIN-protected unlocking • Face-up detection with gentle reminders • Emergency override for safety • Vibration and sound alerts SAFETY FIRST Face Down is built with comprehensive safety features: • Emergency call access always available (999/112/911) • Incoming call exception handling • Low battery auto-termination (below 5%) • Thermal safety monitoring • Accessibility support for VoiceOver/TalkBack users • Malicious use disclaimer and safeguards PRO FEATURES (Optional One-Time Purchase) • Custom session timers for both modes • Multiple alarm sound options • Text-to-speech announcements (child-friendly messages) • Vibrate-only mode • Detailed session summaries NO SUBSCRIPTIONS Pro features are unlocked with a single one-time purchase. No recurring fees, no hidden costs. DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE Whether you're a student fighting distractions, a professional seeking deep work, a parent managing screen time, or simply someone wanting to build healthier phone habits — Face Down meets you where you are. Your phone can be a tool, not a tyrant. Take control with Face Down. --- Face down = Focus up.

About

Ticking

This app helps you focus by blocking distracting applications on a set schedule. It introduces increasing delays for breaks, making it harder to interrupt your focused time. The interface is minimal and customizable, designed to stay out of your way.

Highlights
  • Scheduled app blocking
  • Progressive friction on breaks
  • Customizable color and icon
  • Minimal, native iOS design
  • Block apps by hours and days
Features
Read full description

The clock is Ticking: it's time to focus. Willpower is overrated. Routines work better. Ticking lets you block distracting apps on a schedule: Pick the hours, pick the days, and let the rules do the hard work for you. Need a break? Fine. But every pause makes the next one take longer. First it's 5 seconds. Then 10. Then 30. By the fifth attempt you're staring at a timer wondering if you really need to check social media again. Spoiler: you don't. The app itself stays out of your way. Minimal, native, no visual clutter. Pick a color, pick an icon, and get back to whatever actually matters. Features: - Block apps for specific hours and days - Progressive friction on breaks (they get harder to take) - Clean, native iOS design Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://ticking.co/privacy-policy/

Screenshots

Face Down4 screens
Ticking4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Ticking at fortnightly against Face Down's every 5 months. Face Down's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Face Down sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Ticking sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Face Down ships an update every 5 months, Ticking fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Face Down versus Ticking: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFace DownTicking
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB41 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperGARY ANDREW WINSTONETicking

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Face Down

One-time1
  • Pro Features$1.99
2 purchases

Ticking

Subscriptions2
  • Ticking Pro (Monthly)7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Ticking Pro (Annual)7 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Face Down free?
Face Down is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ticking free?
Ticking is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Face Down or Ticking have ads?
Neither Face Down nor Ticking shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Face Down or Ticking?
Face Down ships an update every 5 months, and Ticking fortnightly. Most recently, Face Down was updated on October 16, 2026 and Ticking on October 12, 2026.

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