Comparison

TimeBack vs Chess Shield

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

Every time you open Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat on autopilot, TimeBack gets in your way. On purpose. Instead of blocking apps outright, TimeBack puts a mindful pause between you and the endless feed. Take a breath, tap the monster away, or solve a quick puzzle. If you still want to scroll after that, you're in. But most of the time, the impulsive urge passes. That's how you reduce doomscrolling naturally. No pure willpower required. HOW TO TAME THE MONSTER TimeBack intercepts impulsive app opens with a short exercise, a breathing pattern, a math challenge, or a playful monster-tap mechanic. Complete it, and the app unlocks. Each pause is a small win over a bad habit. You set a daily budget. The app tracks your streak. And there are no loopholes—the system is designed to stay firm so you don't have to. WHAT YOU GET Mindful Unlock Exercises: Break the autopilot loop with breathing, puzzles, or a monster tap. Daily Budgets: Set specific time limits for your most distracting apps. Streak Tracking: Build long-term, healthy habits and see your progress. Broad Compatibility: Works seamlessly with Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and more. No Hard Blocks: Just intentional friction that makes you think twice. THE NUMBERS The average person spends 2+ hours a day doomscrolling. Cut that in half, and you get back more than 3 years over a lifetime. Reclaim your time tonight. NOT JUST ANOTHER BLOCKER Strict blockers create resentment, and you usually find a workaround in 10 minutes. TimeBack works differently. It builds awareness, not resistance. Over time, you stop reaching for your phone not because you can't, but because you don't want to. Break the habit. Starting now. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Chess Shield

This app helps chess players improve by blocking distracting apps and replacing them with chess puzzles. Solve puzzles to advance your ELO and identify tactical weaknesses. It offers a free tier with basic features and a Pro version for advanced tactics and unlimited app blocking.

Highlights
  • Blocks distracting apps
  • Replaces app opens with chess puzzles
  • Puzzles matched to ELO
  • Tracks ELO in real-time
  • Tactical insights
  • Unlimited puzzles (Free)
  • Block multiple apps (Pro)
Features
Read full description

For chess players who want to actually get better. Endless scrolling steals the hours you'd rather spend improving. Chess Shield blocks the apps that eat your chess time. Try to open one, and a puzzle takes over the screen. Solve it to get past. Every solve moves your ELO. HOW IT WORKS Pick the apps you reach for when you meant to study. Instagram, TikTok, X, whatever's eating you. When you try to open them, a puzzle takes over. Solve it to unlock the app for a few minutes. The puzzles match your level. Type your chess.com or Lichess ELO and we'll start there. Or skip the input and we'll test you with three puzzles. From then on, every puzzle is challenging enough to make you think, solvable enough that you'll get there. Insights show you which tactics keep tripping you up. Your ELO moves in real time on every solve. FREE INCLUDES – Unlimited puzzles, matched to your ELO – 6 starter tactics: Fork, Pin, Skewer, Mate-in-1, Mate-in-2, Back-rank – 1 shielded app – Full ELO tracking – Insights into what you solve and what you miss PRO UNLOCKS – All 52 advanced tactics. Mate-in-3, Discovered Attack, Zwischenzug, endgames. The full library, not just the starters. – See every blind spot. Insights unlocks every theme. Your full weakness map, no locked tiles. – Block every app you want, not just one. Plenty to start on Free. Pro is where you stop guessing what to study. 7-day free trial on the yearly plan. $4.99/month or $39.99/year. WHY IT'S DIFFERENT Most focus apps are guilt machines. Most chess apps want your scroll. Chess Shield does both jobs at once. Every minute in here is measurable progress, not just dopamine. If you've ever wished the time you waste scrolling could be real chess time, this is it. PRIVACY We don't collect anything. No accounts, no analytics, no backend. The apps you block are opaque tokens iOS hands us. We literally can't see them. Everything stays on your device. ——— Subscription details Chess Shield Pro is offered as a monthly ($4.99/month) or yearly ($39.99/year) auto-renewing subscription. The yearly plan includes a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation. The subscription auto-renews unless turned off at least 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel anytime in iPhone Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions. Privacy Policy: https://chessshield.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://chessshield.com/terms

Screenshots

TimeBack4 screens
Chess Shield4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Chess Shield at weekly against TimeBack's every 3 weeks. Chess Shield also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). 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 in-app purchase, starting at $19.99 per year and Chess Shield sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TimeBack ships an update every 3 weeks, Chess Shield weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
TimeBack versus Chess Shield: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTimeBackChess Shield
PriceFreeFree
Rating—3.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB53 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSergey MastAlejandro Trevino Saldana

In-app purchases

1 purchases

TimeBack

Subscriptions1
  • TimeBack Premium Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year
2 purchases

Chess Shield

Subscriptions2
  • Chess Shield Pro7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Chess Shield Pro$39.991 Year

Questions

Is TimeBack free?
TimeBack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Chess Shield free?
Chess Shield is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do TimeBack or Chess Shield have ads?
Neither TimeBack nor Chess Shield shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TimeBack or Chess Shield?
TimeBack ships an update every 3 weeks, and Chess Shield weekly. Most recently, TimeBack was updated on September 9, 2026 and Chess Shield on September 20, 2026.

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