Comparison

Aura vs Budli

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

Head to head
About

Aura

This app helps you limit screen time, block distracting applications, and build focus habits through rewarding features like mascot evolution and focus sessions. It offers tools for sleep schedules and a hardcore mode for maximum discipline.

Highlights
  • Limit screen time
  • Block distracting apps
  • Focus sessions
  • Mascot evolution for motivation
  • Sleep schedules
  • Hardcore Mode for strict control
  • Streak tracking
Features
Read full description

Aura: Screen Time Control Aura: Screen Time Control is a powerful screen time control app designed to help you limit screen time, block distracting apps, and build real focus habits—without guilt, pressure, or punishment. If you struggle with phone addiction, doom scrolling, or staying focused, Aura: Screen Time Control gives you a modern way to take control of your screen time. With built-in app blocker tools, focus sessions, and visual progress through mascot evolution, Aura makes screen time control feel motivating and personal. This is screen time control built for real life. Screen Time Control That Feels Rewarding Most screen time control apps rely on boring charts, strict limits, or shame-based reminders. Aura: Screen Time Control takes a different approach. Your mascot evolves as your screen time control improves. As you: Limit screen time Avoid doom scrolling Complete focus sessions Maintain focus streaks Use the app blocker consistently Your mascot becomes stronger and more confident. Poor screen time control causes visible setbacks—giving you instant feedback without guilt. Aura turns screen time control into something you can see, feel, and stick to. Focus Sessions With App Blocker Aura: Screen Time Control helps you enter deep focus using structured focus sessions. Each focus session allows you to: Block distracting apps with an app blocker Limit screen time during work or study Eliminate interruptions Build daily focus streaks Strengthen long-term screen time control Unlike traditional screen time control apps, Aura makes focus sessions feel rewarding instead of restrictive. Streaks That Reinforce Screen Time Control Consistency is the foundation of effective screen time control. Aura tracks: Focus streaks Low-distraction days Consistent screen time control habits Every completed streak reinforces better focus and helps you limit screen time naturally. Aura is built for long-term screen time control—not short bursts of motivation. Sleep Schedules for Better Screen Time Control Late-night scrolling makes screen time control harder. Aura: Screen Time Control includes sleep schedules to help you: Reduce screen time before bed Block apps at night Build healthier nighttime habits Better sleep leads to better focus—and stronger screen time control. Hardcore Mode for Screen Time Control For users who want maximum discipline, Aura: Screen Time Control includes Hardcore Mode. Hardcore Mode: Locks apps during focus sessions Prevents skipping or exiting early Enforces strict screen time control Works as a powerful app blocker Ideal for students and professionals who want to limit screen time completely. Aura Pro – Advanced Screen Time Control Aura Pro unlocks advanced screen time control tools. With Aura Pro, you get: Unlimited focus sessions Advanced sleep schedules Hardcore Mode app blocker Built for users who want reliable, long-term screen time control. Screen Time Control Without Stress Aura: Screen Time Control helps you limit screen time without anxiety or burnout. Unlike harsh app blocker tools, Aura uses focus sessions, streaks, and visual feedback to guide better screen time control naturally Who Should Use Aura: Screen Time Control? Aura: Screen Time Control is perfect for: People struggling with phone addiction or doom scrolling Students who need better focus Professionals who want distraction-free work Anyone looking to limit screen time with an app blocker Why Aura: Screen Time Control Works Visual mascot evolution instead of boring stats Powerful app blocker and focus sessions Clean design that reduces overstimulation Built specifically for long-term screen time control Aura: Screen Time Control isn’t just about limiting screen time—it’s about changing how you use your phone. Download Aura: Screen Time Control today and start building better screen time control—one focus session at a time. EULA terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Budli

This app helps you reduce screen time by gamifying app blocking. A virtual pet thrives when you stay off distracting apps, evolving as you reclaim your time. It offers gentle reminders and focus sessions, designed for distractible minds.

Highlights
  • Gamified app blocking with a virtual pet
  • Pet evolves based on time saved
  • Focus sessions for deep work
  • Gentle 'are you sure?' prompts
  • Personalized daily rituals
  • App blocking built on Apple Screen Time
Features
Read full description

Meet your Budli - a tiny pet that thrives when you stay off the apps that eat your day. Less doomscrolling, more life. No white-knuckle willpower required. WHY CARE WORKS WHEN GUILT DOESN'T Most blockers say "stop" - but your phone is right there, and one tap later you're back. Budli gives you a reason instead: a little creature that grows on the time you win back. You're not breaking a rule, you're looking after someone. That tiny shift is what makes it stick. HOW IT WORKS - Pick your trap apps - the ones you open without thinking - Stay under your daily limit and your Budli grows, evolves, and cheers you on - Go over and you lose XP - the next evolution stalls until you're back under - Open a trap app anyway and your Budli steps in with a soft "are you sure?" - a pause, not a wall of shame WHAT'S INSIDE - Real app blocking, built on Apple Screen Time - not another reminder you swipe away - One pet, seven forms - it evolves on the hours you win back, and stalls when the scroll wins - Deep Focus sessions for when you need to be unreachable - Honest stats that show where your hours really go - judged by no one - Tiny daily rituals - stretch, sunlight, a mindful break - for you and your pet - Emergency passes, because some days life actually needs your phone MADE FOR DISTRACTIBLE BRAINS If you've ever tapped "15 more minutes" and meant it every single time, Budli was built for you. Gentle structure, visible progress, zero shame - friendly to ADHD brains and anyone whose thumb has a mind of its own. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your Screen Time data never leaves your device. No accounts, no tracking, no selling your attention back to you. What would you do with two extra hours a day? Your Budli can't wait to find out. BUDLI PLUS Budli requires a subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account; subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in Settings - no hoops, no dark patterns. Terms of Use: https://budliapp.netlify.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://budliapp.netlify.app/privacy

Screenshots

Aura4 screens
Budli4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Aura at freemium against Budli's subscription. Budli's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 10 days). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Aura sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Budli sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Aura against 5.0 for Budli. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Aura ships an update every 10 days, Budli every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Aura versus Budli: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAuraBudli
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size191 MB278 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHusein HakimJohn Uschold

Customer experience

Aura

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Budli

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Aura

Subscriptions5
  • Aura Pro Weekly3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Aura Pro Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Aura Pro Annual$24.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Aura Pro Annual1 Month trial$24.991 Year
  • Auro Pro Annual7 Days trial$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Aura Lifetime$34.99
7 purchases

Budli

Subscriptions6
  • Budli Plus: App Blocker Weekly$6.997 Days
  • Budli Plus Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Budli Plus: Screen Time Coach$19.991 Year
Show 3 more
  • Budli Plus: Screen Time Coach$29.991 Year
  • Budli Plus: Focus Pet Annual$39.991 Year
  • Budli Plus: Focus Pet Annual$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • Budli Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is Aura free?
Aura is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Budli free?
Budli is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Aura or Budli?
Aura and Budli are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Aura or Budli have ads?
Neither Aura nor Budli shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Aura or Budli?
Aura ships an update every 10 days, and Budli every 4 days. Most recently, Aura was updated on November 5, 2026 and Budli on October 31, 2026.

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