Comparison

TimeBack vs SignalBreak

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

Head to head
About

TimeBack

Features
Read full description

Take your time back. TimeBack helps you cut screen time with real, enforceable blocks — not just gentle reminders. Built on Apple's Screen Time technology, it stays out of your way until the moment you need willpower most. BLOCK YOUR WAY • Daily Limits — give any app a per-day allowance; when it's spent, the app is blocked for the rest of the day • Forced Breaks — auto-pause after continuous use, so marathon sessions get a breather • Schedules — block apps during focus hours, dinner time or bedtime, on the weekdays you choose • Location Blocks — apps lock automatically when you arrive somewhere (library, office, classroom) • Your words on the wall — customize the block screen's title, message and buttons STAY HONEST • Face ID lock protects your settings • Optional guardian passcode — hand the key to someone you trust, so quitting is never one tap away • Prevent App Deletion — stops the impulsive "just delete the blocker" move (iOS applies this to all apps on the device while enabled) SEE PROGRESS • Today's usage and distraction counts at a glance • Weekly Review — a quiet Sunday summary of the time you took back PRIVATE BY DESIGN Everything stays on your device. No account, no analytics, no server. TimeBack asks for Screen Time permission to block apps — that is its only required permission. Location is requested only if you use Location Blocks. Built by an indie developer. If TimeBack helps you, you can buy me a coffee in Settings.

About

SignalBreak

Features
Read full description

Screen Discipline · SignalBreak A little space for your eyes. A clearer rhythm for your day. FREE EVERYDAY PROTECTION Set an eye-rest reminder for continuous screen use. Start a guided 20-second pause, then return to your day. Use temporary pauses for meetings or navigation, with a visible reason and automatic recovery. Desktop and Lock Screen widgets keep protection close at hand. MAKE YOUR DAY MEANINGFUL The morning report reviews yesterday's complete 00:00–24:00 day and helps you choose a goal for today. The evening report reviews today's available records and encourages a gentle wind-down. Record five personal feelings with simple sliders. Share a report or achievement with a friend. PERSONAL INSIGHTS · OPTIONAL SUBSCRIPTION See hourly patterns, five dayparts and weekly trends. Find your busy hours, understand recorded rest outcomes and choose a manageable habit change. Your data gains context: when to pause, what to notice and what to try next. PARENT INSIGHTS · OPTIONAL SUBSCRIPTION Includes Personal Insights. Add two-week comparisons, screen-use/rest/eye-comfort trends, age-stage guidance and a seven-day family action plan with a review. Discuss this device's habits together and notice small achievements. Detailed hourly and per-app reports are available only when supported by Apple's system, region and your authorization. Aggregate reports remain useful when detailed access is unavailable. This is not remote monitoring of another person's phone. YOUR CHOICE, YOUR DATA Core eye-rest protection, basic summaries and local records remain free. Personal and Parent plans offer monthly or annual billing in one subscription group. Select the level you need; Parent includes Personal. Apple shows the local price and renewal terms before purchase and manages subscriptions, upgrades and cancellation. Restore purchases in the app. Records stay on this device. Missing data is shown as missing. Self-ratings describe feelings, not a diagnosis, a vision measurement or proof of improvement. SignalBreak supports everyday habits and does not diagnose or treat eye conditions. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Support: https://h2me.tech/signalbreak/support/en/

Screenshots

TimeBack4 screens
SignalBreak4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: TimeBack at every 3 days against SignalBreak's fortnightly. SignalBreak's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.2). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. TimeBack sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and SignalBreak sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TimeBack ships an update every 3 days, SignalBreak fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
TimeBack versus SignalBreak: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTimeBackSignalBreak
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.217.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerthomas kiangHuahuijian (tianjin) Technology Co., Ltd.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

TimeBack

One-time1
  • Buy the Developer a Coffee$3.99
4 purchases

SignalBreak

Subscriptions4
  • Personal Insights Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Parent Insights Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Personal Insights Annual$12.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Parent Insights Annual$29.991 Year

Questions

Is TimeBack free?
TimeBack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SignalBreak free?
SignalBreak is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do TimeBack or SignalBreak have ads?
Neither TimeBack nor SignalBreak shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TimeBack or SignalBreak?
TimeBack ships an update every 3 days, and SignalBreak fortnightly. Most recently, TimeBack was updated on October 25, 2026 and SignalBreak on October 25, 2026.

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