# Freedom vs Focus Lock

Freedom and Focus Lock both sit at 4.4 stars, but that hides the real split: 64% of Freedom's written reviews are positive against 23% of Focus Lock's. Freedom also leads on ratings volume (6K vs 290) and chart position (#191 vs unranked). Focus Lock's advantage is monetization model (freemium vs subscription). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Freedom sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and Focus Lock sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Freedom against 4.3 for Focus Lock. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Freedom has 6K ratings behind it against 290, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of Freedom's written reviews are positive against 23% of Focus Lock's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Freedom | Focus Lock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freedom-screen-time-control/id1269788228/reviews)** | [4.3 (290 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-lock-screen-time-limit/id1494966346/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **6K** | 290 |
| Positive reviews | **64.1% of reviews** | 22.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Freemium** |
| Best chart rank | **#191** | — |
| Size | 94 MB | 67 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.1 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Eighty Percent Solutions](https://appshunter.io/developer/960372430) | [Flipd Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/1719329275) |

## What reviewers say

### Freedom

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freedom-screen-time-control/id1269788228)

**Currently charting:** #191 Top Grossing · Productivity (US App Store)

This app helps you block distracting apps and websites to improve focus and productivity. Schedule blocking sessions across all your devices to build better screen time habits and reclaim productive hours.

**Highlights:** Block distracting apps and websites, Schedule blocking sessions, Sync across all devices, Block the internet, Locked Mode for habit commitment, Focus sounds

**Features:** Safari Extension, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $8.99 | per month |
| Freedom Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Freedom Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Freedom Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Freedom Forever | $199.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Effective at blocking distractions
- 👍 Customizable blocklists
- 🔒 Locked mode prevents bypassing
- 💡 Cross-device sync
- 👍 Helpful for productivity and focus

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent blocking, doesn't always work as expected
- 🐛 Scheduled sessions don't always start automatically
- 🐛 Buggy, crashes frequently
- 🔒 Easy to bypass by disabling VPN or deleting app
- 👎 Limited app blocking on iOS

**Reported bugs**

- Blocks unintended apps/websites
- Fails to block certain apps like Facebook, Instagram
- Doesn't work in low power mode on iOS

**Requested features**

- Allow specific app whitelisting
- Add time limit/usage tracking features
- Improve scheduling options (e.g. by day, not just time)
- Better integration with mobile OS features (e.g. iOS Screen Time)


### Focus Lock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-lock-screen-time-limit/id1494966346)

This app helps you limit screen time and block distracting applications to improve focus and productivity. It allows you to set schedules, block specific apps, and track your progress towards reducing digital distractions.

**Highlights:** Block distracting apps, Limit screen time, Set automatic schedules, Digital detox without deleting apps, Track weekly progress, Save session shortcuts

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly subscription | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly subscription | $9.99 | per month |
| The Success Bundle | $12.49 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $24.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription - 7 days free | $49.99 | per year |
| Yearly subscription | $49.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription - 3 days free | $59.99 | per year |
| The Success Bundle | $87.99 | per year |
| Focus Lock Premium Lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Helps with focus and productivity
- 🔒 Effective at blocking distracting apps
- 👍 Useful for studying and work
- 💡 Customizable lock durations

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Apps don't return to original order
- 🐛 Inconsistent app locking functionality
- 🐛 Resets notification settings
- 💰 Expensive subscription model

**Reported bugs**

- Apps not returning after lock duration
- Inability to unlock or reactivate apps
- Frequent crashes or glitches

**Requested features**

- Allow selective app locking
- Provide scheduling options for automatic locks
- Improve app organization after lock ends


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Freedom free?

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

### Is Focus Lock free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Freedom or Focus Lock?

Freedom is rated higher. Freedom averages 4.4 out of 5 from 6K ratings, while Focus Lock averages 4.3 from 290 ratings.

### Do Freedom or Focus Lock have ads?

Neither Freedom nor Focus Lock shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Freedom or Focus Lock?

Freedom ships an update every 2 weeks, and Focus Lock every 2 weeks. Most recently, Freedom was updated on October 19, 2026 and Focus Lock on October 18, 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.*