Useless vs Anchor App Blocker
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Useless
This app leverages social accountability to help users reduce screen time. Instead of relying solely on personal willpower, friends control access to apps when daily limits are reached, fostering a collaborative approach to digital well-being.
- Friend accountability for app usage
- Set daily app time limits
- No snooze button on limits
- Friends vote on time extension requests
- Public 'Walk of Shame' for requests
- Weekly leaderboards and progress tracking
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Your friends are better than any app blocker. 4+ hours a day. That's what the average person hands their phone. useLess helps you take it back. Set rules for the apps that distract you, like a daily time limit or a focus schedule. When a rule kicks in, the app blocks. The catch that makes it work: other apps run on your willpower. useLess runs on your friends. Reclaim 2+ hours every day. You try harder when your friends are watching. Other apps give you a snooze button. useLess is different. Instead of white-knuckling it alone, your friends hold you accountable. When you get blocked and want more time, you'll have to ask them. HOW IT WORKS 1. Set rules for the apps you overuse: daily limits, focus schedules, whatever fits your life. 2. When a rule kicks in, the app blocks. 3. Need more time? Snap a photo explaining why, and send it to your friends. 4. Every request lands on the Walk of Shame, so your friends see exactly what you are begging for. FEATURES Ask a friend for time: When you are blocked, send a photo explaining why you need more time. Your friends keep you honest, and on stricter rules they decide if you get it. Walk of Shame: Every request is visible to the friends you choose. Watch them beg for "just 5 more minutes" of TikTok, and let them watch you. Weekly leaderboards: Compete on streaks, focus hours, and time spent on the apps that hook you. Daily limits: Give each app a daily time budget that resets every morning. Focus schedules: Block a set of apps on a schedule, like work hours or bedtime. Hardcore mode: Lock yourself out for real. Some rules only get stricter, and turning them off takes a friend's approval, or a 24-hour wait. WHY IT WORKS Other blockers fold the second you push back. useLess puts real people in the loop. Cutting back stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like a game. Real friends don't let friends doomscroll. WHAT PEOPLE SAY "Finally broke my 2-hour Instagram habit" - ThePampf "I've tried a bunch of screen time apps, but always found a way around them. This is the first app that actually works." - Marc "This was a life changer. My screen time has dropped by 5 hours." - N1coo PRICING useLess is free to start: set your rules, get blocked, and ask your friends to unlock you. The whole social loop is free. useLess Pro unlocks unlimited rules, Hardcore mode, the full leaderboard, and deeper stats. New users get a free 7-day trial. You can also earn free Pro: invite a friend and you both get a month free, and inviting 25 friends unlocks Pro for life. PRIVACY useLess uses Apple's Screen Time API. We never see which apps you use, what you view, or any personal content. Your screen time stays on your device. Only the requests you send are shared with the friends you choose. GET STARTED Download useLess. Add your friends. Set your rules. And finally get your time back. Stop scrolling. Start living. Questions or feedback? Reach us at https://dadama.app/ or email hello@dadama.app. Subscription: useLess Pro is an auto-renewing subscription with a free trial for new users. Cancel anytime in your Apple account settings. Privacy Policy: https://dadama.app/privacy Terms (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Anchor App Blocker
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Make focus automatic with reusable Focus Plans that block selected apps and websites through Apple's Screen Time controls. Start a Focus Run now or let a schedule protect the hours that matter. BUILD RULES THAT HOLD - Choose the apps, categories, and websites each Focus Plan protects. - Preview a plan before it starts and see whether enforcement is healthy. - Pick the right level of friction: Nudge, Friction, Challenge, Timed Lock, Hard Lock, or Combo Lock. - Resolve schedule conflicts and use safe recovery when Screen Time needs attention. - Review blocked attempts, turn-back rate, focused time, and recent patterns. - Check status from widgets and start eligible plans with Shortcuts. FREE - One Focus Plan. - Nudge, Friction, and Challenge enforcement. - One accountability partner. - Seven days of activity history. ANCHOR PRO - Unlimited Focus Plans and accountability partners. - Repeating schedules and automatic routines. - Timed Lock, Hard Lock, and Combo Lock. - Custom unlock challenges and 30-day patterns. PRIVACY AND CONTROL Anchor uses Apple's Family Controls, Managed Settings, and Device Activity frameworks. Your plan data and focus history stay on your device. Anchor cannot see the content inside blocked apps. Screen Time authorization is requested only when you set up protection. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled in your Apple ID settings. Restore an existing purchase from Settings > Restore Purchases. Features shown as Pro require an active Anchor entitlement; previously purchased lifetime access remains honored. Anchor is a focus aid, not a parental-control guarantee or emergency service. TERMS OF USE Product Terms of Use: https://www.uncommonweather.com/legal/apps/anchor-terms.html Apple Standard Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Useless at every 10 days against Anchor App Blocker's every 3 weeks. 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. Useless sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Anchor App Blocker sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Useless ships an update every 10 days, Anchor App Blocker every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Useless | Anchor App Blocker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (287 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 34.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 287 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Subscription | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 18 | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 131 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | DaDaMa Ug (haftungsbeschränkt) | Ryan Tinklepaugh |
In-app purchases
Useless
- Weekly$2.997 Days
- Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
- Monthly1 Month trial$5.991 Month
Show 10 moreShow fewer
- Monthly Sub7 Days trial$6.991 Month
- Monthly1 Month trial$9.991 Month
- Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Monthly7 Days trial$11.991 Month
- Monthly1 Month trial$11.991 Month
- Yearly1 Month trial$24.991 Year
- Yearly7 Days trial$24.991 Year
- Yearly1 Month trial$34.991 Year
- Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Yearly1 Month trial$49.991 Year
- Lifetime$69.99
- Lifetime$99.99
Anchor App Blocker
- Anchor Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
- Anchor Pro Yearly$19.991 Year
- Anchor Pro Lifetime$39.99









