Comparison

Downtime vs Taskly

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

Head to head
About

Downtime

This app helps you block distracting apps and websites based on your schedule. Create custom rules for work, study, or sleep to automatically shield you from interruptions. It offers a strict mode for added focus and privacy.

Highlights
  • Scheduled blocking
  • App and website blocking
  • Customizable rules
  • Strict Mode for enhanced focus
  • Automatic enforcement
  • Privacy-focused design
Features
Read full description

Block distracting apps and websites automatically when it's time to focus, study, work, or sleep. Downtime is a focus app blocker built around your schedule. Choose what gets blocked, decide when each rule runs, and let Downtime shield distractions automatically—even when the app is closed. Use Downtime as an app lock during study sessions, a website blocker for focused work, or a screen time blocker for evenings and bedtime. Turn on Strict Mode when you need an extra barrier against impulsive changes. HOW IT WORKS 1. Create a rule and choose its days, start time, and end time. 2. Select apps, app categories, and websites using Apple's built-in picker. 3. Enable the rule and let Downtime handle blocking automatically. FOR WORK, STUDY, AND BEDTIME - Protect deep-work sessions from distracting apps and websites - Create study periods for revision, reading, or learning a new skill - Reduce social media use during evenings and bedtime - Build different schedules for weekdays, weekends, and overnight routines KEY FEATURES - Scheduled blocking: Set start and end times for every focus period - Choose what to block: Pick specific apps, whole categories, or websites - Per-day rules: Decide which days of the week each schedule runs - Overnight support: Create schedules that span midnight, such as 10 PM to 6 AM - Automatic enforcement: Blocking starts and ends on schedule without keeping Downtime open - Strict Mode: Prevent active rules from being switched off immediately - Essentials Mode: Keep only your chosen apps available for a simpler, distraction-free phone - Shield screens: Show a customizable shield instead of opening a blocked app STRICT MODE Strict Mode adds a cooling-off period when willpower dips. Active rules cannot be disabled immediately. If you decide to turn Strict Mode off, a one-hour delay begins, giving you time to reconsider without permanently locking you out. SIMPLE AND PRIVATE Downtime uses Apple's official Screen Time APIs to manage access. Your app and website selections, schedules, and rule names stay on your device. Optional pseudonymous product analytics and crash diagnostics start only if you choose to share. There is no account, advertising, or cross-app tracking. FAIR PRICING Downtime is free to use with one blocking rule. Choose flexible monthly access or a one-time lifetime purchase to create multiple rules and use Essentials Mode, Strict Mode, and backup tools. Private and ad-free. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Taskly

Features
Read full description

Taskly is a simple and powerful to-do app designed to help you organize your day and stay focused on what matters. PLAN YOUR DAY Create tasks quickly and keep your daily responsibilities in one organized place. See what needs to be done today and what is coming next. SMART REMINDERS Set a date and time for your tasks and receive a local notification when it’s time to get them done. STAY ORGANIZED Organize tasks with categories and priorities so you can quickly understand what needs your attention. BREAK TASKS INTO STEPS Turn bigger tasks into smaller subtasks and track your progress as you complete each step. RECURRING TASKS Create daily, weekly, or monthly recurring tasks for routines and responsibilities you don't want to forget. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS See your completed tasks and daily progress at a glance, helping you stay consistent throughout the day. SEARCH AND FILTER Quickly find tasks and switch between views such as today, upcoming, and completed tasks. DARK MODE Use Taskly comfortably at night with a dedicated dark appearance designed for a more comfortable viewing experience. KEY FEATURES • Quick task creation • Due dates and times • Local reminders • Priorities • Categories • Subtasks • Daily, weekly, and monthly recurrence • Search • Upcoming tasks • Completed tasks • Light, dark, and system appearance • Full support for English and Arabic Taskly keeps your tasks simple, organized, and easy to manage — so you can spend less time managing your list and more time getting things done.

Screenshots

Downtime4 screens
Taskly4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Taskly at none against Downtime's 1. Downtime's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.2). On price, update cadence, ads 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. Downtime sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Taskly asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Downtime ships an update every 2 days, Taskly every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Downtime versus Taskly: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDowntimeTaskly
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAri AparikyanJARAH MAYAL

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Downtime

One-time1
  • Downtime Pro$9.99
None

Taskly

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Downtime free?
Downtime is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Taskly free?
Taskly is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Downtime or Taskly have ads?
Neither Downtime nor Taskly shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Downtime or Taskly?
Downtime ships an update every 2 days, and Taskly every 4 days. Most recently, Downtime was updated on November 5, 2026 and Taskly on October 31, 2026.

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