Comparison

AppLock vs Do Instead

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

Head to head
About

AppLock

Enhance focus and safeguard privacy by instantly locking, blocking, and managing access to any application. Organize apps into custom groups for better control over distractions and sensitive data, with options to prevent installations or accidental deletions.

Highlights
  • Instantly lock and block apps
  • Create personalized lock groups
  • Organize apps by activity
  • Prevent app installation/deletion
  • One-tap management and reminders
  • Secure on-device data storage
Features
Read full description

AppLock - Screen Time Control helps you boost productivity and protect your privacy by instantly locking, blocking, and managing access to any app. Organize apps and activities—social, games, work, finance, and more—into custom lock groups, giving you control over distractions and sensitive data. Effortlessly toggle locks, manage app access, and use advanced options to block installation, prevent accidental deletions, or disable in-app purchases. Key Features: • Instantly lock and block apps of your choice • Create personalized lock groups for focus and privacy • Organize apps by activity or category • Prevent app installation, deletion, and purchases • Easy one-tap management and reminders • Modern interface for streamlined control • All data remains private, stored securely on your device AppLock is perfect for anyone seeking better focus, screen time balance, or keeping personal info secure. Take charge of your digital life—download AppLock - Screen Time Control today!

About

Do Instead

Features
Read full description

Block distracting apps. Put your real tasks back in view. Do Instead helps you step away from social scrolling and return to something you chose to do. Set allowed times for distracting apps and websites, then see a next task from Apple Reminders or Todoist when you reach for a blocked app. YOUR TASKS AT THE MOMENT YOU NEED THEM Connect Apple Reminders to bring your existing tasks into view. Today's commitments come first, followed by overdue work, with priority helping you choose. Connect Todoist with Pro. Keep your next task nearby with Home and Lock Screen widgets. SEPARATE SOCIAL BREAKS FROM WORK HOURS Give Social and Work their own apps, websites, and allowed times. Schedule a social break at lunch and keep work messages within working hours. Choose optional reminders five minutes before your allowed times start or end. Scheduled blocking requires Do Instead Pro and Screen Time permission. GIVE AN IMPULSE TIME TO PASS Turning off the guard or widening your allowed times takes ten minutes to apply. Tightening protection applies immediately. After repeated blocked opens, pause and write down what you came for before choosing your next step. CHOOSE SOMETHING TO DO INSTEAD Return to a task, take a minute for guided box breathing, or try a short desk workout with a 3D coach. You choose what to do with the pause. WHAT'S FREE AND WHAT'S PRO Free: Apple Reminders, Home and Lock Screen widgets, breathing, desk workouts, and the gentler Shortcuts route. The Shortcuts route requires setting up an automation to open Do Instead when you open a chosen app. Pro: scheduled blocking, allowed windows, the ten-minute cooldown, and Todoist integration. Subscription prices and available trials are shown in the app for your region before purchase. HOW BLOCKING WORKS Strict mode uses Apple's Screen Time features. Website coverage depends on your browser and iOS version. You can add website addresses or import a browser history export to choose domains; imported domains stay on your device. Manually added website restrictions can show Apple's restriction page instead of the task shield. On iOS 26.5 and later, open your task manager from the shield through Do Instead. Earlier versions offer a notification shortcut when notifications are enabled. Or choose Take a break to step away without starting a task. Completing a task does not unlock blocked apps; your allowed times determine access. PRIVATE BY DESIGN No Do Instead account, ads, analytics, or tracking. Task integrations connect to the services you choose. Transfer settings between devices with a QR code. Your intention notes stay on your phone. BUILT FROM A PERSONAL JOURNEY My weekly Social-category time went from 12h 36m to 6h 17m, then 2h 37m across three complete weeks. That personal experience inspired how I build Do Instead. It is not a promise of your results. — Arkadiy, creator of Do Instead Make room for what you'd rather do. Privacy Policy: https://groei.dev/do-instead/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

AppLock4 screens
Do Instead4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: AppLock at none against Do Instead's 2. AppLock also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). Do Instead's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price and update cadence 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. Do Instead sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. AppLock asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AppLock ships an update every 9 days, Do Instead every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
AppLock versus Do Instead: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAppLockDo Instead
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size57 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIdentiq InfotechGroei BV

In-app purchases

None

AppLock

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Do Instead

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Weekly$1.997 Days
  • Pro7 Days trial$19.991 Year

Questions

Is AppLock free?
AppLock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Do Instead free?
Do Instead is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do AppLock or Do Instead have ads?
AppLock shows ads; Do Instead does not.
Which is updated more often, AppLock or Do Instead?
AppLock ships an update every 9 days, and Do Instead every 5 days. Most recently, AppLock was updated on October 1, 2026 and Do Instead on October 19, 2026.

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