Comparison

aLock vs Barrier

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

Head to head
About

aLock

Manage your screen time effectively by setting usage limits for apps and automatically restricting them when limits are reached. This app helps users, including children, focus better by blocking distractions and inappropriate content. A free trial is available for premium features.

Highlights
  • Set app usage limits
  • Automatic app restriction
  • Manual app restriction/restoration
  • Focus enhancement for children
  • Distraction blocking
  • Free trial for premium features
Features
Read full description

It is a very useful screen time management app that allows you to set usage limits for apps and automatically restrict apps when the limit is reached. Additionally, you can manually restrict or restore applications as needed. - Use of social media and games can be limited to help children focus better and block inappropriate content. - A time limit for the app can be set to help you not get distracted by the app. Start a free trial to access all premium features - You can subscribe for unlimited access to all premium features - Within 24 hours before the end of the free trial period, the change fee calculated according to the subscription plan will be automatically debited from your account - You can cancel the auto-renewal at any time, if the cancellation occurs at least 24 hours before the end of the current period Support: tinfineapp@outlook.com Privacy Policy: https://decisive-store-bd5.notion.site/Privacy-Policy-3930ce2f70bf41df93666e029f0a1d19 Terms of Use: https://decisive-store-bd5.notion.site/Terms-Conditions-7dcac12bf71f41edbee0e260df02c563

About

Barrier

This app helps you regain control over your phone usage by creating a physical barrier to accessing distracting applications. Instead of simply closing apps, it requires you to wait a set amount of time with your phone face down before granting temporary access, prompting reflection on your digital habits.

Highlights
  • Select apps to limit
  • Automatic app locking
  • Face-down phone wait for unlock
  • Temporary app access
  • Customizable wait times (5-60 seconds)
  • Unlimited apps with paid version
Features
Read full description

Most blockers simply close apps. One tap and you’re back to scrolling. This app works differently. To open social media, you have to put your phone face down and wait. From 5 to 60 seconds — you choose. There’s no “cancel” button. You just sit there, staring at the back of your phone. In those seconds, your brain snaps out of autopilot. You remember that you actually had things to do. And you realize — is this feed really worth a minute of your life? Most of the time — it’s not. This isn’t blocking. It’s a physical barrier that brings back control. How Barrier works: 1. Choose apps → Select the apps you want to limit 2.Auto-blocking → Apps are locked automatically 3.Unlock → Put your phone face down for a set time 4.Temporary access → Apps become available for a limited time Paid features: - Unlimited apps and category (Free: 5 apps or 1 category) Privacy Policy: https://sabellus.github.io/portal/privacybarrier.html Terms of Use: https://sabellus.github.io/portal/termsbarrier.html

Screenshots

aLock4 screens
Barrier4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: aLock at 4.7 against Barrier's 3.0. aLock also leads on ratings volume (32 vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads 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. aLock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Barrier sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

aLock holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: aLock has 32 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

aLock ships an update every 3 weeks, Barrier every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
aLock versus Barrier: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteraLockBarrier
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (32 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews44.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings32 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer裕涛 兰Savelii Veprev

Customer experience

aLock

All ratings32 ratings
Positive90.6%
Neutral3.1%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive44.4%
Neutral11.1%
Negative44.4%

Barrier

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

aLock

Subscriptions2
  • App Lock for 1 week3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • App Lock for 1 year3 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • App Lock Premium$19.99
3 purchases

Barrier

Subscriptions2
  • Premium for week$2.997 Days
  • Premium for month$4.991 Month
One-time1
  • Premium Forever$9.99

Questions

Is aLock free?
aLock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Barrier free?
Barrier is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, aLock or Barrier?
aLock is rated higher. aLock averages 4.7 out of 5 from 32 ratings, while Barrier averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do aLock or Barrier have ads?
Neither aLock nor Barrier shows ads.
Which is updated more often, aLock or Barrier?
aLock ships an update every 3 weeks, and Barrier every 2 weeks. Most recently, aLock was updated on November 3, 2026 and Barrier on October 30, 2026.

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