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 helps manage screen time for children and protect personal privacy. It allows parents to lock specific apps, create custom control rules, and secure private data like photos and contacts. It's designed for families and individuals needing digital control and security.

Highlights
  • Screen Time Management
  • Widget Activation
  • App Control
  • Private Vault
  • Privacy Protection Mode
  • Focus on Work
  • Custom Mode
Features
Read full description

App Lock is an application focused on family control, privacy protection, and personalized management. It aims to help parents effectively implement parental control while offering a range of powerful privacy protection features to ensure the security and manageability of the family's digital life. Have you ever encountered the following situations? · Children addicted to smartphones: Kids are addicted to smartphones, unable to pull away, and struggling with time management. · Receiving personal notifications at work: You receive personal notifications while using your smartphone at work, leading to embarrassing moments. · Constant interruptions from your phone: When you're focused on something, your phone keeps interrupting your attention. · Needing to lend your phone temporarily: You need to lend your phone to someone, but want to protect certain personal usage records. App Lock can solve these problems, offering the following features: Main Features: - Screen Time Management: During your child's study time, you can easily lock gaming apps to ensure they stay focused on learning. - Widget Activation: With the new widget feature, you can easily enable modes with one tap on the home screen, instantly protecting your privacy. - App Control: The app restriction feature prevents children from adding or deleting apps, ensuring that the apps on the device remain under your supervision. - Private Vault: Provides users with one-stop privacy protection, including private contacts, photo albums, and notebooks, ensuring that this personal information is not leaked under any circumstances, helping users safeguard important private data. - Privacy Protection: Designed specifically for temporary loan scenarios, the privacy protection mode allows users to quickly block or lock specific apps and personal content, ensuring that personal privacy remains intact even when the phone is lent to others. - Focus on Work: In a work environment, you can use the app blocking feature to prevent entertainment apps, helping you stay focused on completing your tasks. - Custom Mode: App Lock also offers a custom mode, allowing you to set specific family control and privacy protection rules according to your needs. - iPad Compatibility: Now optimized for iPad, offering a larger screen to ensure you can easily protect your apps and privacy on both iPhone and iPad. App Lock provides comprehensive family control and privacy protection features, while also offering personalized management options to meet various family and individual needs. The goal of this app is to provide families with a secure and manageable digital experience, allowing you to maintain control in all situations. Terms of Use: https://app.dingdot.cn/Terms_of_Use.html Privacy Policy: https://app.dingdot.cn/Privacy_Policy.html

Screenshots

FocusPal4 screens
App Lock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: FocusPal at none against App Lock's shown. FocusPal also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). App Lock's advantage is ratings volume (54 vs 17). On price, rating, review sentiment 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. FocusPal sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year and App Lock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for FocusPal against 4.2 for App Lock. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17 and 54 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 76% of FocusPal's written reviews are positive against 80% of App Lock's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FocusPal ships an update fortnightly, App Lock every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
FocusPal versus App Lock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocusPalApp Lock
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (17 ratings) — better4.2 (54 ratings)
Positive reviews76.3% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1754 — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 5 weeks
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 MB73 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer威 黄Dindot Network Technology (Huizhou) Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

FocusPal

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

App Lock

All ratings54 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral5.6%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative10.0%

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
3 purchases

App Lock

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly3 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • Yearly$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$14.99

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?
FocusPal is rated higher. FocusPal averages 4.2 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while App Lock averages 4.2 from 54 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 every 5 weeks. Most recently, FocusPal was updated on October 21, 2026 and App Lock on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons