# ntfy vs Odd Lock

The clearest difference is price: ntfy at Free against Odd Lock's $4.99. ntfy also leads on ratings volume (474 vs 3) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.5). Odd Lock's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

ntfy is free to download; Odd Lock costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Odd Lock holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ntfy has 474 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

ntfy ships an update fortnightly, Odd Lock every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ntfy | Odd Lock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $4.99 |
| Rating | [4.8 (474 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ntfy/id1625396347/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/odd-lock-app-blocker/id6762550956/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **474** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 78.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Size | 3 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 26.5 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Philipp Heckel](https://appshunter.io/developer/1625396349) | [Abstract Syntax LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1879479511) |

## What reviewers say

### ntfy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ntfy/id1625396347)

This app allows you to send push notifications to your phone from scripts or other applications using simple HTTP requests. It acts as a client for a free, open-source pub-sub service, enabling you to receive alerts and updates directly on your device.

**Highlights:** Send notifications via REST API, Subscribe to topics, Publish messages via HTTP, Integrates with Bash/PowerShell, Free and open source client

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Simple and easy to use
- 🔒 Great for self-hosting
- 👍 Reliable and works as expected
- 🚀 Quick and easy to set up
- 🚀 Lightweight and functional

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Notification issues on iOS
- 🔍 Limited features compared to other platforms
- 🔍 Lacks customization options
- 🐛 Occasional crashes or delivery issues

**Reported bugs**

- Notifications not working on iOS
- Broken click URLs in notifications
- Compatibility issues with iOS notification summarizing

**Requested features**

- Ability to change notification sounds
- Support for Apple Watch
- Customizable topic names/aliases
- Improved iOS notification handling
- All topics view and read/unread indicators


### Odd Lock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/odd-lock-app-blocker/id6762550956)

This utility app helps you regain control over your device usage by restricting access to chosen applications. It requires completing a simple task, like speaking a phrase or walking, before apps become available for a set duration.

**Highlights:** App access restriction, Task-based unlocking, User-defined access periods, On-device processing, No account required, No personal data collection

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ntfy free?

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

### Is Odd Lock free?

Odd Lock costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, ntfy or Odd Lock?

Odd Lock is rated higher. ntfy averages 4.8 out of 5 from 474 ratings, while Odd Lock averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do ntfy or Odd Lock have ads?

Neither ntfy nor Odd Lock shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ntfy or Odd Lock?

ntfy ships an update fortnightly, and Odd Lock every 2 weeks. Most recently, ntfy was updated on October 25, 2026 and Odd Lock on October 21, 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.*