# Engage WorkSpace vs Barrier

The clearest difference is ads: Engage WorkSpace at none against Barrier's shown. Engage WorkSpace also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). Barrier's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Engage WorkSpace ships an update every 4 months, Barrier fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Engage WorkSpace | Barrier |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.7 (345 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barrier-screen-time-for-focus/id6448244443/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **345** |
| Positive reviews | — | 80.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | — | Ad-supported |
| Size | 16 MB | 66 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [eFlair](https://appshunter.io/developer/1369739601) | [Haplo, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1476210690) |

## What reviewers say

### Engage WorkSpace

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/engage-workspace/id1459940985)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Barrier

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barrier-screen-time-for-focus/id6448244443)

This app helps you break free from social media distractions by limiting access to chosen applications. It introduces intentional delays or ad viewing to discourage mindless scrolling, promoting healthier digital habits and increased productivity.

**Highlights:** Social media app blocking, Intentional delays for app access, Ad-based access incentive, Digital wellness assistant, Promotes healthier digital habits, Reduces mindless scrolling

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Highly effective at reducing screen time
- 💰 Free to use with valuable features
- 😂 Funny and smart methods (Goblin Mode)
- 💡 Creates resistance to mindless scrolling
- 🚀 Simple and easy to use interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches causing unreliability
- 🐛 Blocking not always consistent
- 🐛 Custom schedules not working correctly
- 🐛 Ads can be long and annoying
- 🐛 Violent ads in some cases

**Reported bugs**

- Blocking does not work at correct times or remains blocked at incorrect times
- Blocking stops working after a while
- Apps remain unlocked after unlocking
- Streak keeps breaking for no reason
- Custom schedule does not unlock when it's supposed to

**Requested features**

- Ability to set different apps to lock during different times
- More flexibility in setting multiple check-in times
- Option to customize the duration after watching an ad
- Fix for custom schedule not working for overnight blocking
- Option to have a daily time limit per app


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Engage WorkSpace free?

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

### Is Barrier free?

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

### Do Engage WorkSpace or Barrier have ads?

Barrier shows ads; Engage WorkSpace does not.

### Which is updated more often, Engage WorkSpace or Barrier?

Engage WorkSpace ships an update every 4 months, and Barrier fortnightly. Most recently, Engage WorkSpace was updated on October 26, 2026 and Barrier on November 4, 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.*