Comparison

Screen Freedom vs LockPact

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

Head to head
About

Screen Freedom

This app helps you reduce phone usage by partnering with a friend for accountability. Set screen time goals for specific apps, and they'll automatically block when you reach your limit. Your friend is notified if you try to break the goal, offering support or even the ability to deny your request.

Highlights
  • Partner accountability for screen time
  • Set app-specific time limits
  • Automatic app blocking
  • Friend notifications for goal breaks
  • Friend can deny requests to exceed limits
  • Track individual and partner streaks
  • View historical goal achievement data
Read full description

Have you ever tried to spend less time on your phone? There are so many solutions out there, but they all seem to rely on your discipline in one way or another. Although that can work for some, here at Screen Freedom we have an alternative solution: accountability! Screen Freedom allows you to partner with a friend and hold each other accountable for how much time you spend on your phones. Simply set a screen time goal, selecting the apps of your choice and choosing a daily time limit. Next, use those apps until you reach your limit, at which point they block. At this point, you can either go on living your life, adding a successful day to your screen time streak, or you can unblock your apps, at which point your friend will be notified of your decision and given the chance to reach out to you to offer support. You can also optionally give your friend the ability to deny your request to go over your goal! With Screen Freedom, you are no longer alone in your battle against the tech attempting to control your attention. Unlock the power of accountability and be amazed at how many hours you save! Key Features: - Partner with a friend, holding each other accountable for your screen time usage - Select a screen time goal, choosing what apps to track and your time limit on them - Automatically block your chosen apps when you reach your daily time limit - Notify your friend if you choose to break your daily screen time goal - Turn on accountability lock to allow your friend to accept or deny your request to exceed your screen time goal - Build your individual goal-achieved streak, as well as your cumulative streak with your partner - View your own and your partner's historical data of goal-achievement - Track your feelings at the time of breaking your screen time goal - Set downtime windows when your chosen apps are blocked regardless of how much time you have spent on them - Select apps that are always blocked regardless of whether you have reached your goal or not Note: Although data concerning whether you successfully achieved your goal is saved in the cloud to share with your partner, all specific app-usage data remains securely on your device. We take privacy very seriously and would not risk sensitive data such as this. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

LockPact

This app pairs you with a trusted partner for mutual screen time accountability. You both select apps to lock on your own devices, and only your partner can approve unlocking them. It's designed to help users reduce phone usage through shared responsibility.

Highlights
  • Mutual app locking with a partner
  • Unlock requests require partner approval
  • Bypass notifications sent to partner
  • Private screen time data processing
  • Solo lock timer for practice
  • Pairing via 6-digit code
Read full description

Your partner holds the key. LockPact is a free iPhone app for mutual screen time accountability: you and a friend, partner, or roommate each lock apps on your own phone, and only the other person can approve an unlock. No account needed to start. HOW IT WORKS Pair with a friend, partner, or roommate using a 6-digit code Each of you selects which apps to lock on your own device When you need access, send an unlock request — your partner approves or declines That's it. No subscriptions, no surveillance, no complicated setup. WHY IT WORKS Willpower runs out. Accountability doesn't. Every solo app blocker eventually fails — because you're the one who can turn it off. LockPact is different: your locked apps need your partner's approval to open. That one moment of friction changes everything. And yes — bypass is still possible. Apple makes bulletproof locking impossible on iOS. We're honest about that. But when you bypass LockPact, your partner gets notified. Bypassing isn't silent anymore. It's embarrassing. That's the point. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT • Mutual — you each hold the key to the other's lock • Honest — no false promises about "bulletproof" blocking • Actually free — core accountability features cost nothing, forever • Private — your screen time data never leaves your device Most app blockers are you vs. yourself. LockPact makes screen time a pact between two people. WHAT'S FREE Everything that matters for accountability: • Pair with a partner via 6-digit invite code • Select apps to lock on your own device • Send and receive unlock requests • Get notified when your partner bypasses • Solo lock timer (for solo practice before pairing) • Schedules — set a recurring lock window once and it locks and unlocks on its own No subscription. No paywall on core features. A short ad plays before an unlock request is sent — that friction is the whole product. PRIVACY Your screen time data never leaves your device. LockPact only syncs lock status and unlock requests — never which apps you use, when you use them, or how long. Built for adults who want to spend less time on their phones — together.

Screenshots

Screen Freedom4 screens
LockPact4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Screen Freedom at 5.0 against LockPact's 4.3. Screen Freedom also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (100% vs 67%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Screen Freedom sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and LockPact sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Screen Freedom holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 7 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Screen Freedom's written reviews are positive against 67% of LockPact's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Screen Freedom versus LockPact: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreen FreedomLockPact
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (6 ratings) — better4.3 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings67 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 6 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB29 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperEmancipas, LLCRotate, LLC.

Customer experience

Screen Freedom

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

LockPact

All ratings7 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Screen Freedom

Subscriptions2
  • Premium - Monthly14 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Premium - Yearly14 Days trial$9.991 Year
4 purchases

LockPact

One-time4
  • Spark$2.99
  • Steady$6.99
  • Willpower Waiver$9.99
Show 1 more
  • Torch$14.99

Questions

Is Screen Freedom free?
Screen Freedom is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LockPact free?
LockPact is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Screen Freedom or LockPact?
Screen Freedom is rated higher. Screen Freedom averages 5.0 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while LockPact averages 4.3 from 7 ratings.
Do Screen Freedom or LockPact have ads?
LockPact shows ads; Screen Freedom does not.
Which is updated more often, Screen Freedom or LockPact?
Screen Freedom ships an update every 6 weeks, and LockPact every 6 weeks. Most recently, Screen Freedom was updated on October 24, 2026 and LockPact on October 24, 2026.

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