BugMe vs Ontime
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BugMe
This app provides persistent, escalating reminders designed to help users complete tasks. It features smart timing, quiet hours, and an AI breakdown for vague tasks, making it ideal for those with ADHD or anyone struggling with their to-do list.
- Escalating reminder tiers
- Smart timing for notifications
- AI task breakdown
- Calendar and streak heatmap
- Time blindness widget
- Pick-For-Me mode
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Most reminder apps ping you once and shrug. BugMe doesn't. BugMe is the persistent, escalating reminder app built for ADHD brains — and anyone whose to-do list keeps losing the fight. Notifications start gentle, then get progressively harder to ignore, so the thing actually gets done. Reasonable. Relentless. On your side. WHY IT WORKS • Escalating nudges — five tiers from a friendly tap to "okay we need to talk" • Smart timing — nudges land when you can act, not while you're asleep • Quiet hours — set your boundaries; BugMe respects them • AI breakdown — paste a vague task, get clear next steps • Calendar + 90-day heatmap to see your week and your streak • Mascots, themes, and a dashboard built to feel like a friend, not a manager BUILT FOR ADHD, USEFUL FOR EVERYONE • Time blindness widget so "later" stops being a black hole • Pick-For-Me mode for when you can't decide where to start • Streak tracking that celebrates progress without punishing slip-ups FREE FOREVER • Up to 5 reminders, push notifications, three escalation tiers, AI breakdown (limited) PRO — $7.99/MONTH • Unlimited reminders, all five tiers • Daily morning + evening digests • Random nudges, custom categories, themes • Priority support PRIVACY FIRST Your reminders are yours. No ads, no data sales, encryption for everything sensitive. Built by PileUp Digital. Questions or feedback? contact@trybugme.com SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS BugMe Pro is an auto-renewing subscription that unlocks all Pro features. - BugMe Pro (Monthly): $7.99 per month - BugMe Pro (Annual): $59.99 per year (equivalent to $5.00 per month) Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple Account settings after purchase. Terms of Use (EULA): https://trybugme.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://trybugme.com/privacy
Ontime
This app acts as an external clock for individuals with ADHD or time blindness. It helps you plan your routines backward from a deadline, providing precise start times and alerts to ensure you leave on time without stress.
- Backward planning from deadlines
- Start-now alarm for exact start times
- Step-by-step routine guidance
- Live Activity countdown on Lock Screen
- Apple Watch glanceable time pressure
- Home Screen widgets for quick status
- Routine insights and buffer adjustments
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If you have ADHD or time blindness, you know the feeling. You had plenty of time. Then somehow you're late again, apologizing, watching someone's face fall. It's not that you don't care — your brain just doesn't track time the way clocks do. Ontime is the external clock your brain is missing. Tell it when you need to be out the door and what your routine looks like. It does the backward math and tells you the exact minute to start — no guessing, no "one more minute." HOW IT WORKS • Backward planning: enter your deadline; Ontime stacks your routine steps and finds your true start time • Start-now alarm: one loud, unmissable alert at the exact minute to begin — not a vague reminder • Step-by-step mode: while you get ready, see what to do now and whether you're ahead or behind • Built-in buffer: pads for the transitions your brain skips MADE FOR ADHD BRAINS • Live Activity: the countdown lives on your Lock Screen, always in sight • Apple Watch: glanceable time pressure without picking up your phone • Widgets: "start in 23 min" right on your Home Screen • Insights: see which routines run over and which weekdays need more buffer • No streaks, no guilt. Just out the door on time. ONTIME PRO Ontime requires an Ontime Pro subscription — monthly or annual, auto-renewing. The annual plan starts with a free trial: nothing is charged until it ends, and you can cancel anytime in Settings. Prices are shown in the app before you subscribe. Terms of Use: https://on-time-ios.web.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://on-time-ios.web.app/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: BugMe at freemium against Ontime's subscription. BugMe also leads on ratings volume (8 vs 1). Ontime's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. BugMe sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Ontime sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Ontime holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BugMe has 8 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
BugMe ships an update every 6 weeks, Ontime weekly. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.
| Parameter | BugMe | Ontime |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (8 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | PileUp Digital LLC | ADESH PANDEY |
Customer experience
BugMe
Ontime
In-app purchases
BugMe
- BugMe Pro3 Days trial$7.991 Month
- BugMe Pro Annual3 Days trial$59.991 Year
Ontime
- Ontime Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
- Ontime Pro Annual$29.991 Year









