Comparison

Counter vs Lockin Focus

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

Head to head
About

Counter

Create and manage custom counters with ease. Track progress with daily counters and access them via widgets or watch complications. Synchronize your counters across all your Apple devices.

Highlights
  • Customizable counters
  • Quick value editing
  • iCloud synchronization
  • Custom step and unit
  • Daily progress tracking
  • Widgets and watch complications
Features
Read full description

Counter let you create customizable counters with quick access to edit their value easily. The counters are automatically synchronized between all your device using iCloud You can set a custom step, values up to 9 decimals, and a custom unit, even and emoji Daily counters let you track your progress on a counter Widgets are available (as well as complications for your watch!) You can request a new feature in app reviews Available on iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad and Mac

About

Lockin Focus

This app helps you build focus routines by automatically locking distracting apps during scheduled times. It encourages mindful pauses before impulsive usage and provides insights into your focus habits. The app offers features like temporary access, strict unlocking methods, and social comparisons to support your digital detox goals.

Highlights
  • Schedule-based app locking
  • Whitelist approach for allowed apps
  • Temporary app access
  • Focus score and weekly reports
  • Friend rankings for focus comparison
  • Strict mode for difficult unlocks
  • Home screen widget for focus score
Features
Read full description

Set your schedule. The rest is automatic. From 9am to 6pm on weekdays, social media and video apps are locked. Instead of opening an app during focus time, you pause and think. Lockin Focus is not a forced app blocker. It is a focus routine helper that makes you think twice before your hands move on impulse. Key Features Schedule-Based App Lock Set days and times, and focus mode turns on and off automatically. Whitelist Approach Choose which apps to allow and everything else is blocked. Calls, messages, and maps always stay open. Temporary Allow Need to open an app for a moment? Allow it for 5 minutes. It is always logged. Focus Score and Weekly Report See how focused you were today and review your weekly patterns at a glance. Friend Rankings Compare focus scores with friends who are also focusing. Strict Mode To unlock, type a long sentence and re-authenticate with Face ID. Designed to be too inconvenient to quit. Home Screen Widget Check today's focus score right from your lock screen. Manual Focus Mode Start a focus session right now, without setting a schedule. Who It Is For Anyone whose hand keeps reaching for their phone while studying or working Anyone who wants to reduce social media time Anyone who wants to make digital detox a habit No ads. No subscriptions. No tracking. All data is stored on your device and your iCloud only. No external servers. Requires iOS Screen Time permission to function.

Screenshots

Counter4 screens
Lockin Focus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Lockin Focus at 100% against Counter's 25%. Lockin Focus also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 months). Counter's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $1.99). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Counter costs $0.99 and Lockin Focus $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Counter ships an update every 3 months, Lockin Focus every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 5 level
Counter versus Lockin Focus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCounterLockin Focus
Price$0.99 โ€” better$1.99
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews โ€” better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 5 days โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch โ€” betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.616.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size2 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGuillaume Claveriekyeongju Moon

Customer experience

Counter

Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

Lockin Focus

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Counter

No in-app purchases

None

Lockin Focus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Counter free?
Counter costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lockin Focus free?
Lockin Focus costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Counter or Lockin Focus have ads?
Neither Counter nor Lockin Focus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Counter or Lockin Focus?
Counter ships an update every 3 months, and Lockin Focus every 5 days. Most recently, Counter was updated on October 18, 2026 and Lockin Focus on October 31, 2026.

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