# Blank Spaces Launcher vs Chess Shield

The clearest difference is rating: Blank Spaces Launcher at 4.6 against Chess Shield's 3.5. Blank Spaces Launcher also leads on ratings volume (8.6K vs 4) and chart position (#113 vs unranked). Chess Shield's advantage is monetization model (freemium vs subscription) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Blank Spaces Launcher sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and Chess Shield sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Blank Spaces Launcher holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Blank Spaces Launcher has 8.6K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 27% of Blank Spaces Launcher's written reviews are positive against 33% of Chess Shield's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Blank Spaces Launcher ships an update every 2 weeks, Chess Shield every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Blank Spaces Launcher | Chess Shield |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (8.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blank-spaces-launcher/id1570856853/reviews)** | [3.5 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-shield/id6772290132/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **8.6K** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 27.2% of reviews | **33.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Freemium** |
| Best chart rank | **#113** | — |
| Size | 164 MB | 54 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ecstasis LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1543620595) | [Alejandro Trevino Saldana](https://appshunter.io/developer/6772290134) |

## What reviewers say

### Blank Spaces Launcher

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blank-spaces-launcher/id1570856853)

**Currently charting:** #113 Top Grossing · Productivity, #135 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

This app transforms your smartphone into a minimalist tool by decluttering your home screen. It removes distracting badges and icons, allowing you to focus on essential apps and regain control of your attention. Designed for simplicity and privacy, it helps you use your phone intentionally.

**Highlights:** Simplified home screen widget, Mutes badges and app icons, Focus on essential apps, Intuitive and easy to use, Privacy-focused design, 7-day free trial

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

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Week | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| 1 Month | $3.99 | per month |
| 1 Month | $3.99 | per month |
| 1 Month | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly Plan | $7.99 | per month |
| 12 Months | $17.99 | per year |
| Special Offer (1 Year) | $18.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $19.99 | per year |
| Yearly Plan | $24.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Subscription (Reward) | Free | one-time |
| Blank Lifetime Subscription | $11.99 | one-time |
| Blank Lifetime Subscription | $23.99 | one-time |
| Blank Lifetime Subscription | $24.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Plan | $29.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Plan | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Reduced screen time and digital distractions
- 👍 Minimalist and clean home screen design
- 🔒 Helps with digital detox and focus
- 💡 Useful for college students and those with ADHD
- 👍 Customizable widgets and backgrounds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy performance and glitches
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🤔 Confusing setup process
- 🔍 Limited app support and integration
- 🕰️ Slow app opening times

**Reported bugs**

- Widgets not showing up or disappearing
- Inconsistent behavior when adding/removing apps
- Shortcuts not working as expected
- Wallpaper customization issues
- App crashing or freezing during setup

**Requested features**

- Add more supported apps, including default iOS apps
- Allow custom shortcuts without going through Shortcuts app
- Improve widget customization options
- Provide a free or one-time purchase version
- Add ability to rename app labels in widgets


### Chess Shield

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-shield/id6772290132)

This app helps chess players improve by blocking distracting apps and replacing them with chess puzzles. Solve puzzles to advance your ELO and identify tactical weaknesses. It offers a free tier with basic features and a Pro version for advanced tactics and unlimited app blocking.

**Highlights:** Blocks distracting apps, Replaces app opens with chess puzzles, Puzzles matched to ELO, Tracks ELO in real-time, Tactical insights, Unlimited puzzles (Free), Block multiple apps (Pro)

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Chess Shield Pro | $4.99 | per month |
| Chess Shield Pro | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Blank Spaces Launcher free?

Blank Spaces Launcher is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Chess Shield free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Blank Spaces Launcher or Chess Shield?

Blank Spaces Launcher is rated higher. Blank Spaces Launcher averages 4.6 out of 5 from 8.6K ratings, while Chess Shield averages 3.5 from 4 ratings.

### Do Blank Spaces Launcher or Chess Shield have ads?

Neither Blank Spaces Launcher nor Chess Shield shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Blank Spaces Launcher or Chess Shield?

Blank Spaces Launcher ships an update every 2 weeks, and Chess Shield every 9 days. Most recently, Blank Spaces Launcher was updated on October 30, 2026 and Chess Shield on October 24, 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.*