Comparison

BrainMaxx vs Screen Time Buddy

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

Head to head
About

BrainMaxx

This app helps you complete tasks and habits before you can access your phone's apps. Earn screen time by finishing your to-do list and keep a virtual pet happy with your progress. Build discipline and a healthier relationship with your device.

Highlights
  • Task and habit completion
  • App blocking
  • Earn screen time
  • Virtual pet companion
  • Progress tracking
  • Routine building
Features
Read full description

Get your time, focus, and attention span back with BrainMaxx, the screen time app with a cute brain that rots as you doomscroll and heals when you live your life. Block the apps that eat your day, set schedules, and let the brain nudge you to put the phone down. Save about 2 hours a day, think clearer, sleep better, and actually get things done. What you get: - A brain that rots as you doom scroll, so you see the damage before it's done - App blocking with schedules for mornings, work hours, bedtime and custom times - Unrots: quick habits that heal your brain, like walking, reading, touching grass, and push-ups - A brain that talks you out of scrolling the moment you open a blocked app - Mindful breaks you choose on purpose, without the guilt or shame - Clear insights into your screen time, pickups, and worst hours - Daily streaks that unlock new worlds for your brain PRIVATE & SECURE BrainMaxx uses Apple's Screen Time API. All monitoring, blocking, and your brain health score stay entirely on your device. Your app usage never leaves your phone. Stop scrolling. Unrot your brain. *All features described above require a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://www.brainmaxxapp.com/privacy Terms of Service: https://www.brainmaxxapp.com/terms Support: support@doerpal.com

About

Screen Time Buddy

Read full description

Screen Time Buddy turns focus into something you actually want to do. Block distracting apps, run study timers, and grow a calm underwater world that thrives when you stay off your phone. At the center see your small companion who's genuinely happy when you put the phone down. TRACK YOUR SCREEN TIME See exactly where your hours go with a simple daily breakdown. BLOCK DISTRACTIONS Lock away the apps that pull you in. Set app limits, block by category, or put hard stops on the ones you keep reopening without thinking. FOCUS TIMER & POMODORO Run 25-minute Pomodoro sessions or set your own length. LOCATION-BASED FOCUS Arrive at the library, and Screen Time Buddy knows. Focus mode starts automatically at the places where you need it most. SCHEDULE YOUR DAY Plan focus blocks on a clean daily calendar. Study sessions, deep work, practice time, schedule it once and let the app hold you to it. EARN FISHES Every completed focus session earns fishes which you can use to buy accessories for your screen time buddy and customise it's environment. BUILD YOUR SEA WORLD Kelp, coral, starfish, new friends for your seal. Your underwater world grows a little every time you choose focus over scrolling. LEARN NEW PRACTICES Learn practical techniques for building focus and breaking the scroll loop. Terms & Conditions: https://sealfocus.app/terms-and-conditions Privacy: https://sealfocus.app/privacy-policy Contact: https://sealfocus.app/contact

Screenshots

BrainMaxx4 screens
Screen Time Buddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Screen Time Buddy at every 3 days against BrainMaxx's weekly. 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. BrainMaxx sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days and Screen Time Buddy sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 3 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BrainMaxx ships an update weekly, Screen Time Buddy every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
BrainMaxx versus Screen Time Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrainMaxxScreen Time Buddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (176 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews92.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings176 — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 3 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size126 MB85 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperJuan Vizoso PradoAraneus MB

In-app purchases

9 purchases

BrainMaxx

Subscriptions9
  • Pro Weekly$9.997 Days
  • Weekly Subscription$12.997 Days
  • Pro Yearly Offer$29.991 Year
Show 6 more
  • Full Access3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Full Access$34.991 Year
  • Yearly Subscription$44.991 Year
  • Yearly Subscription$59.991 Year
  • Yearly Subscription3 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Full Access$69.991 Year
6 purchases

Screen Time Buddy

Subscriptions2
  • Seal Focus Pro Quarterly$7.993 Months
  • Seal Focus Pro Yearly14 Days trial$14.991 Year
One-time4
  • Fish Pouch$1.99
  • Fish Bucket$4.99
  • Fish Barrel$9.99
Show 1 more
  • Seal Focus Pro Lifetime$29.99

Questions

Is BrainMaxx free?
BrainMaxx is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Screen Time Buddy free?
Screen Time Buddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do BrainMaxx or Screen Time Buddy have ads?
Both BrainMaxx and Screen Time Buddy show ads.
Which is updated more often, BrainMaxx or Screen Time Buddy?
BrainMaxx ships an update weekly, and Screen Time Buddy every 3 days. Most recently, BrainMaxx was updated on October 17, 2026 and Screen Time Buddy on October 5, 2026.

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