# StepGate vs Pushbuddy

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: StepGate at none against Pushbuddy's 1. Pushbuddy's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 9 days). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pushbuddy sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. StepGate asks for nothing beyond the download.

StepGate ships an update every 9 days, Pushbuddy every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 16, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | StepGate | Pushbuddy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | **Every 4 days** |
| Size | 19 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kush Daga](https://appshunter.io/developer/6777928390) | [Dhruwang Jariwala](https://appshunter.io/developer/6790741170) |

## What reviewers say

### StepGate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepgate-screen-time-control/id6789857070)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Pushbuddy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pushbuddy-pushup-app-blocker/id6806745916)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Digital Detox Lifetime | $6.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is StepGate free?

StepGate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Pushbuddy free?

Pushbuddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do StepGate or Pushbuddy have ads?

Neither StepGate nor Pushbuddy shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, StepGate or Pushbuddy?

StepGate ships an update every 9 days, and Pushbuddy every 4 days. Most recently, StepGate was updated on October 16, 2026 and Pushbuddy on October 16, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*