Comparison

FocusPal vs App Lock

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

Head to head
About

FocusPal

This app helps you regain control of your screen time by blocking distracting applications and setting usage limits. It offers features like app whitelisting, hiding sensitive apps, and preventing accidental deletions or unwanted downloads. Enhance your focus and productivity with customizable controls.

Highlights
  • Focus Mode to block distractions
  • App allowlisting
  • Hide sensitive apps
  • Prevent accidental app deletion
  • Prevent unwanted app downloads
  • Set time limits for games and videos
Read full description

FocusCat is a screen time blocker app designed to help you: ◎ Focus Mode: Lock distracting apps to stay focused on one task ◎ App Allowlist: Block all apps except those on your whitelist ◎ Hide Apps: Perfectly hide apps you don’t want others to see, giving you control and peace of mind ◎ App Deletion Prevention: Prevent accidental deletions and data loss ◎ App Download Prevention: Avoid unwanted charges from kids downloading apps ◎ Set Limits: Control gaming and short video time to keep kids from overindulging --- We take privacy protection seriously. HidingCat does not actively track or collect any data, nor does it use any third-party SDKs or services. All data is stored locally and synchronized with iCloud. If you encounter any issues while using the app, please contact us through the "Feedback" section within the app. You can also reach us by email at leohuang.ux@gmail.com. We welcome your suggestions and feedback. --- FocusCat Premium Membership Auto-Renewable Subscription Details Once purchased and paid, the subscription will be automatically renewed through your iTunes account. The Apple iTunes account will be charged within 24 hours prior to the end of the current subscription period, and the subscription will be extended for one subscription period upon successful payment. To cancel the subscription, please manually disable the auto-renewal function in the iTunes/AppleID settings at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. The service can be cancelled at your discretion. If you choose not to cancel, the renewal service for the next billing cycle will be provided. Terms of Service: https://hidingcat.super.site/terms Privacy Policy: https://hidingcat.super.site/privacy-policy

About

App Lock

This app offers robust privacy and protection features for your device. Secure your applications with password or face unlock, prevent unwanted installations and deletions, and block in-app purchases. Customize restriction modes for different activities to manage screen time effectively.

Highlights
  • Password protection for apps
  • Prevent app installation
  • Prevent app deletion
  • Block in-app purchases
  • Customizable restriction modes
  • Face unlock support
Features
Read full description

Regardless of whether you're willing or not, electronic devices have become indispensable tools for children amidst the pandemic. At-home parenting has become reliant on electronic products, as they serve as productivity enhancers, but that doesn't mean parents can completely let go. To address this, we've introduced a powerful application aimed at providing comprehensive app protection and privacy management features. This application includes the following features: Password Protection: Users can set password protection for restricted applications, ensuring only authorized users can access them. Prevent Installation: This feature prevents the installation of new applications from the app store, effectively controlling the number and type of applications on the device. Prevent Deletion: Prevents accidental deletion of applications, particularly those containing important data like chat records, ensuring data security. In-App Purchase Blocking: Blocks in-app payments to prevent users from incurring additional costs unintentionally. Multiple Mode Switching and App Restriction Grouping: Users can customize app restriction modes for different scenarios such as learning, socializing, and gaming, and can also add custom groups to control screen time more flexibly. Set Application Password: Users can set a separate password for this application to protect its settings and features from unauthorized access. Face Unlock: In addition to passwords, users can use face unlock to quickly unlock applications, enhancing convenience and security. Subscription Services: Payment: Payments are deducted through the user's iTunes account immediately upon purchase confirmation, offering various subscription modes for users to choose from. Renewal: Apple iTunes accounts will be charged 24 hours before expiration, with the subscription period extending by 1 cycle upon successful payment. Cancel Subscription Renewal: To cancel subscription renewal, manually disable auto-renewal in Settings/Apple ID at least 24 hours before the current subscription expires.

Screenshots

FocusPal4 screens
App Lock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: FocusPal at 76% against App Lock's 33%. FocusPal also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (17 vs 5). App Lock's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.2) and update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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. FocusPal sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year and App Lock sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

App Lock holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17 and 5 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 76% of FocusPal's written reviews are positive against 33% of App Lock's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FocusPal ships an update fortnightly, App Lock weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
FocusPal versus App Lock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocusPalApp Lock
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (17 ratings)4.6 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.3% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings17 — better5
Update frequencyFortnightlyWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB53 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer威 黄小玲 黄

Customer experience

FocusPal

All ratings17 ratings
Positive82.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative17.6%
Written reviews38 reviews
Positive76.3%
Neutral7.9%
Negative15.8%

App Lock

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

FocusPal

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Yearly(Special Offer)7 Days trial$9.991 Year
  • HidingCat Pro Yearly7 Days trial$12.991 Year
One-time2
  • FocusPal - Lifetime$24.99
  • Lifetime Special Offer$24.99
1 purchases

App Lock

Subscriptions1
  • Pro3 Days trial$2.991 Month

Questions

Is FocusPal free?
FocusPal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is App Lock free?
App Lock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FocusPal or App Lock?
App Lock is rated higher. FocusPal averages 4.2 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while App Lock averages 4.6 from 5 ratings.
Do FocusPal or App Lock have ads?
App Lock shows ads; FocusPal does not.
Which is updated more often, FocusPal or App Lock?
FocusPal ships an update fortnightly, and App Lock weekly. Most recently, FocusPal was updated on October 21, 2026 and App Lock on October 24, 2026.

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