# Circle Parental Controls App vs Parental Control App：PatLock

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Parental Control App：PatLock at 100% against Circle Parental Controls App's 10%. Parental Control App：PatLock also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.2) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). Circle Parental Controls App's advantage is ratings volume (13K vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.4). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Circle Parental Controls App sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Parental Control App：PatLock sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Parental Control App：PatLock holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Circle Parental Controls App has 13K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 10% of Circle Parental Controls App's written reviews are positive against 100% of Parental Control App：PatLock's.

Circle Parental Controls App ships an update every 6 weeks, Parental Control App：PatLock every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Circle Parental Controls App | Parental Control App：PatLock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (13K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circle-parental-controls-app/id1440668949/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parental-control-apppatlock/id6746723218/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **13K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 10.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 144 MB | 38 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 18.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Circle Media Incorporated](https://appshunter.io/developer/950202222) | [飞 江](https://appshunter.io/developer/1815739763) |

## What reviewers say

### Circle Parental Controls App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circle-parental-controls-app/id1440668949)

This app helps parents manage their children's online activity and screen time. It allows for content filtering, setting time limits, pausing internet access, and monitoring usage across devices. Parents can also set bedtimes, reward good behavior, and schedule focus time for schoolwork.

**Highlights:** Content filtering by age, Set daily screen time limits, Pause internet access, Monitor browsing history and usage, Set device bedtimes, Reward extra online time, Schedule focus time

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $89.99 | per year |
| Annual | $89.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Effective at blocking content
- ⏱️ Helpful for setting time limits
- 👍 Allows monitoring of device usage

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐢 Slows down internet speed
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with monitoring
- 🔍 Lack of control/customization
- 🤬 Causes family conflict
- 💔 Damages parent-child relationship

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent behavior
- Connectivity issues
- Difficulty setting up and managing

**Requested features**

- More flexible time/content controls
- Ability to whitelist/blacklist apps/sites
- Better notification system
- Improved performance and reliability


### Parental Control App：PatLock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/parental-control-apppatlock/id6746723218)

Remotely manage your child's phone with app locking, screen time limits, and geofencing. Control usage from your own device without needing direct access to theirs. Features include scheduled locks and customizable rules for weekdays and weekends.

**Highlights:** Remote app locking and unlocking, Set daily screen time limits, Geofencing for location-based restrictions, Scheduled auto-locks for specific times, Pure iCloud remote control, Optional virtual pet task assignment

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Parental Control Pro (Monthly) | $2.99 | per month |
| Parental Control Pro (Yearly) | $12.99 | per year |
| Parental Control Pro - Half Price | $19.99 | one-time |
| Parental Control Pro(Lifetime) | $39.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Circle Parental Controls App free?

Circle Parental Controls App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Parental Control App：PatLock free?

Parental Control App：PatLock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Circle Parental Controls App or Parental Control App：PatLock?

Parental Control App：PatLock is rated higher. Circle Parental Controls App averages 4.2 out of 5 from 13K ratings, while Parental Control App：PatLock averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Circle Parental Controls App or Parental Control App：PatLock have ads?

Neither Circle Parental Controls App nor Parental Control App：PatLock shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Circle Parental Controls App or Parental Control App：PatLock?

Circle Parental Controls App ships an update every 6 weeks, and Parental Control App：PatLock every 3 weeks. Most recently, Circle Parental Controls App was updated on November 4, 2026 and Parental Control App：PatLock on October 30, 2026.

---

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