aLock vs Barrier
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Set app usage limits
- Automatic app restriction
- Manual app restriction/restoration
- Focus enhancement for children
- Distraction blocking
- Free trial for premium features
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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
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | aLock | Barrier |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (32 ratings) — better | 3.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 44.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 32 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 裕涛 兰 | Savelii Veprev |
Customer experience
aLock
Barrier
In-app purchases
aLock
- App Lock for 1 week3 Days trial$2.997 Days
- App Lock for 1 year3 Days trial$9.991 Year
- App Lock Premium$19.99
Barrier
- Premium for week$2.997 Days
- Premium for month$4.991 Month
- Premium Forever$9.99









