Refocus vs App Lock
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Refocus
This app helps you regain control of your digital life by blocking distracting apps and websites. It offers various methods to limit screen time, set schedules, and track your usage, promoting better focus and productivity.
- Block any app or website
- Strict Mode with multiple unblocking challenges
- Set app timers and time limits
- Schedule blocking for specific times
- Location-based blocking
- Screen time analytics
- macOS app available
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Refocus is an app blocker & website blocker that helps you limit screen time on apps! Refocus is easy to use, yet has powerful screen time control features: ▶ Various ways to restrict or lock apps and block websites. Choose what helps you focus! Block any app or site — from social media and games to messaging and news. ▶ "Strict Mode" feature prevents you from unblocking. Set a passcode, or use an NFC tag, or wait a duration (ex. 30 seconds), or do a copy text challenge, or utilize Pomodoro (limit unblocking to 5 times per day, for 25 minutes each, with a 5-minute cooldown between each unblock). ▶ Block for a specific duration (ex. app timer for 30 minutes). ▶ Block at specific times (ex. every weekday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). ▶ Set app limits (ex. after 10 minutes of using Instagram, block it). Set an app time limit! ▶ Hide Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts in Safari. ▶ Block at the location you pick — whether it be home, work or school. ▶ View your daily, weekly and monthly Screen Time analytics. Use Refocus as a screen time tracker! ▶ Mac app that also lets you block apps and websites on macOS. ▶ And more! --- Visit www.refocusapp.co for more information. Terms of Use: - https://refocusapp.co/terms-of-use
App Lock
Secure your sensitive applications and personal data with this privacy tool. Easily lock any app to prevent unauthorized access and keep your information out of sight from prying eyes. Enjoy enhanced device security and peace of mind.
- Lock any application
- Hide sensitive apps
- Block websites
- Intuitive interface
- Prevent unauthorized access
- Enhance device privacy
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App Lock is a privacy app designed to help keep your sensitive apps private and secure on your device. With App Lock, you can easily block any app you want, ensuring that you remain private and out of sight from prying eyes. The app features an intuitive and user-friendly interface that allows you to quickly and easily select the apps you want to lock. Once an app has been locked, nobody will be able to access your private data. App Lock is the perfect solution for anyone looking to ensure more privacy and security on your device. * In order to use App Lock you need to purchase the Lilucat Pro which is an annual service that costs 29.99$. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase and auto-renews at the same price unless disabled in iTunes Account Settings at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your subscription can be managed in your iTunes Account Settings. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Links Terms of Service: https://applock.lilucat.com/legal/terms Privacy: https://applock.lilucat.com/legal/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Refocus at free with in-app purchases against App Lock's subscription. Refocus also leads on review sentiment (93% vs 58%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Refocus sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and App Lock sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Refocus holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12K and 5.2K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 93% of Refocus's written reviews are positive against 58% of App Lock's.
Refocus ships an update weekly, App Lock fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Refocus | App Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (12K ratings) — better | 4.5 (5.2K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 93.0% of reviews — better | 57.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 12K — better | 5.2K |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Fortnightly |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 43 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Labi, LLC | Lilucat |
Customer experience
Refocus
App Lock
User reviews
Refocus
From 12K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to set up and use
- 🚀 Effective at blocking distractions
- 💡 Customizable blocking schedules
- 🔒 Prevents mindless scrolling
- 🚀 Improved productivity and focus
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
- 🔓 Too easy to bypass the blocking
- 💰 Some features require paid subscription
- 🔓 Ability to delete app and remove restrictions
App Lock
From 5.2K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Helpful app
- 🔒 Provides app security
- 🔒 Locks apps with Face ID/Touch ID/PIN
- 👍 Great for keeping private information secure
- 👍 Useful for parents to restrict child access
Room to improve
- 🐛 Home screen layout gets scrambled when app is turned off
- 🐛 App Blocker resets widget stacks
- 💰 Aggressive subscription push
- 🔒 Locked apps only unlocked for a limited time
- 🐛 Doesn't persist app blocking across phone restarts
Bugs and requests
Refocus
Reported bugs
3 issues- Blocking issues after phone restart
- Inconsistent behavior when pausing/unpausing sessions
- Crashing when trying to block apps in certain categories
Requested features
5 requests- Passcode or biometric lock to prevent bypassing
- More advanced blocking options (e.g., math problems to unblock)
- Ability to purchase a one-time license instead of subscription
- Notification warnings before blocking sessions end
- Search function to find apps to block more easily
App Lock
Reported bugs
3 issues- Buttons at the bottom of the screen are inaccessible on some devices
- Prompts are not legible with larger font settings
- Locked apps can still be accessed by restarting the phone
Requested features
4 requests- Allow concealing the app locker
- Add scheduling/time-based locking
- Provide separate unlock code from phone passcode
- Improve usability when Dynamic Island is in use
In-app purchases
Refocus
- Refocus Pro3 Days trial2 variants$7.991 Month
- Refocus Pro3 Days trial$8.991 Month
- Refocus Pro3 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- Refocus Pro (Family)7 Days trial$12.991 Month
- Refocus Pro$49.991 Year
- Refocus Pro1 Month trial2 variants$49.991 Year
- Refocus Pro7 Days trial2 variants$49.991 Year
- Refocus Pro1 Year trial$49.991 Year
- Refocus Pro7 Days trial$59.991 Year
- Reset Strict Mode$1.00
- Reset Strict Mode$5.00
- Reset Strict Mode$10.00
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Reset Strict Mode$50.00
App Lock
- App Lock$4.991 Month
- App Lock3 Days trial$7.997 Days
- App Lock2 variants$9.991 Month
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- App Lock$14.991 Year
- App Locker for iPhone$29.991 Year
- App Lock$59.99
