AppBlock vs BookGate
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AppBlock
This app helps you regain control of your digital life by blocking distracting applications and websites. It offers customizable schedules and strict modes to reduce screen time, improve focus, and support healthier digital habits.
- Block distracting apps
- Block time-wasting websites
- Control screen time
- Customizable blocking schedules
- Strict mode to prevent bypassing restrictions
- Detailed statistics on screen time usage
- Focus sessions for work and study
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► 15,000,000+ satisfied users ► 63% less screen time in the first week ► Save up to 3 hours every day AppBlock is the ultimate app blocker that helps you block apps, reduce screen time, and manage social media distractions so you can focus on what truly matters. Our app creates a positive impact on your digital wellbeing. Whether you need a productivity boost, want to unplug in your free time, or looking for a focused study environment, AppBlock gives you full control of your digital habits. ► CONTROL YOUR SCREEN TIME Cut down on wasted time and build a healthier relationship with your devices. Use custom templates to block the apps that distract you most during the day, stop doomscrolling on social media, and reduce your screen time. Our users reported 63% less screen time in just two weeks. Yes, it’s true! Try it yourself and thank us later. ► WHY APPBLOCK? – Block Apps: Cut access to social media, games, or anything that pulls you away from your goals. – Website Blocker: Restrict time-wasting websites or unwanted content. – Screen Time Control: Monitor and limit app usage to maintain a balanced life. – Customizable Blocking Schedules: Automatically block apps based on time, location, or Wi-Fi. – App Open Limits: Decide how long you can use certain apps to stay in control. – Strict Mode: Stay committed by preventing yourself from bypassing restrictions. – Allowlist: Keep essential apps available while blocking distractions. – Quick Block: Need instant focus? Tap once to block apps and websites right away. ► STAY PRODUCTIVE & FOCUSED AppBlock helps you manage your screen time and remove digital distractions so you can focus on what really matters. – Improve Sleep: Reduce late-night phone use for better rest. – Support Mental Health: Stay calm and mindful with fewer interruptions. – Boost Productivity: Block time-wasting apps and websites to stay on task. – Study Better: Encourage a distraction-free learning environment. – Unplug in Free Time: Enjoy hobbies, family, and friends without constant notifications. ► ADVANCED TOOLS & INSIGHTS – Detailed Statistics: Discover where your screen time goes and identify what distracts you most. – Focus Sessions: Automatically silence notifications and block apps during key work or study periods. – Time Management: Create daily structure for balanced digital use. – AppBlock for Desktop: Stay productive on PC or Mac with browser extensions that block distracting sites. – Get the extension: https://appblock.app/extensions ► #1 BLOCKER – SAFE BROWSING Create a secure and distraction-free experience by using AppBlock. With one tap, block apps, websites for safer and more mindful screen use. ► FREE TO USE – START TODAY AppBlock is free to download and packed with everything you need to build healthier digital habits and reclaim your time in just a few taps. Discover why our app blocker has over 15,000,000 success stories. ► PRIVACY FIRST Your privacy is our top priority. AppBlock uses Apple’s Screen Time API for secure content blocking. Your personal data stays private and is never shared. ► CONTACT & SUPPORT Email — support@appblock.app Website — www.appblock.app ► TERMS & PRIVACY Terms of Use — https://appblock.app/terms-of-use-app-store Privacy Policy — https://appblock.app/privacy-policy-app-store
BookGate
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Turn screen time into reading time. BookGate helps you stop reaching for distracting apps and actually open the book you keep meaning to read. Set a reading time, choose the apps that distract you, and when it is time to read, BookGate helps you begin. Show your book to start your session, then the apps you selected stay blocked while you read. A simple reading ritual that makes it easier to start, stay focused, and keep coming back to your book. HOW BOOKGATE WORKS • Set your reading time - Choose when you want to read and let BookGate bring the moment to you, on the nights you pick, at the hour you pick. • Block distracting apps while you read - Choose whole categories or only the apps that tend to pull you away from your book. • Show your book to start - A quick book check creates a small moment of commitment before your reading session begins. • Read without the noise - Once your session starts, the apps you selected stay out of the way while you read. Sessions run from five minutes to an hour, and you can change tonight's length whenever you like. • Record what you want to remember - When you finish, leave a short takeaway in your own voice and keep it with the book. Play them back a whole book at a time. • See the habit you are actually building - Look back at your reading sessions, books and consistency over time without turning reading into a numbers game. FIVE MINUTES IS ENOUGH TO START BookGate starts you at five minutes, because five minutes is the one you will actually do tonight. Once that has been easy for a week, BookGate offers you ten, and you decide whether to take it. The habit grows at the pace you set. BUILT FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO READ — BUT KEEP SCROLLING BookGate is for the book sitting on your nightstand, the novel you bought months ago, and the reading habit you keep planning to start. Instead of simply telling you to use your phone less, BookGate gives that time somewhere better to go. Your phone becomes quieter. Your book gets opened. Reading actually happens. MADE FOR THE BOOK IN YOUR HANDS BookGate is built around paper. Photograph the cover to put a book on your shelf, show it to the camera to open a session, and keep your reading photos and voice takeaways with it as the book goes on. WHAT YOU WILL NEED • Screen Time permission, granted once during setup, so BookGate can block the apps you choose while you read. • The camera, to show your book at the start of a session. You can always start without it. • The microphone, if you would like to record a takeaway. It is optional. YOUR READING STAYS ON YOUR IPHONE There is no account and no sign-up. Your books, reading photos, recordings and history are kept on your device. SUBSCRIPTION BookGate is an auto-renewable subscription. Eligible new subscribers can start with a 3-day free trial. Two plans are available, BookGate Yearly and BookGate Monthly, and the price of each is shown in your own currency in the app before you subscribe. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically at the same price unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel it any time in Settings › Apple Account › Subscriptions. Any unused portion of the free trial is forfeited when you purchase a subscription. BookGate Terms: https://bookgate.app/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://bookgate.app/privacy/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: BookGate at none against AppBlock's shown. AppBlock's advantage is chart position (#175 vs unranked) and update cadence (weekly vs every 2 weeks). On price and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. AppBlock sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and BookGate sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
AppBlock ships an update weekly, BookGate every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AppBlock | BookGate |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (6.9K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 54.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 6.9K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | #175 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 195 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | MobileSoft s.r.o. | Collin Arumai Harinath Mendons Jeyaseelan |
Bugs and requests
AppBlock
Reported bugs
3 issues- Scheduled blocks not always activating properly
- App crashing or becoming unresponsive
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between modes
Requested features
5 requests- Add ability to block Safari and other browsers
- Implement syncing across devices
- Provide more granular control over blocking schedules
- Show remaining time for app limits
- Make strict mode truly unbreakable
BookGate
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
AppBlock
- Premium Monthly$4.991 Month
- Premium Monthly$11.991 Month
- Premium Monthly$14.991 Month
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- Premium Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Premium Yearly1 Year trial5 variants$29.991 Year
- AppBlock Premium14 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Premium Yearly7 Days trial$44.991 Year
- Premium Yearly1 Year trial$49.991 Year
- Premium Yearly7 Days trial$59.991 Year
- Premium Lifetime$89.99
BookGate
- Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
- Yearly3 Days trial$29.991 Year









