# Shadow vs LockMe

The clearest difference is monetization model: Shadow at free with in-app purchases against LockMe's subscription. Shadow also leads on review sentiment (64% vs 47%). LockMe's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Shadow sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and LockMe sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Shadow against 4.6 for LockMe. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 113 and 229 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of Shadow's written reviews are positive against 47% of LockMe's.

Shadow ships an update every 2 months, LockMe every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shadow | LockMe |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (113 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shadow-block-apps-and-focus/id1671650132/reviews)** | [4.6 (229 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lockme-applock-for-lock-apps/id6460862187/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 113 | **229** |
| Positive reviews | **63.6% of reviews** | 46.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 124 MB | 49 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.2 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Adish Padhani](https://appshunter.io/developer/992727409) | [Tyson Gill](https://appshunter.io/developer/1683191398) |

## What reviewers say

### Shadow

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shadow-block-apps-and-focus/id1671650132)

This app helps you block distracting applications on your iOS device to improve focus and productivity. It offers a "Safe Zone" for uninterrupted work and robust parental controls to manage children's screen time. Your settings are protected with Face ID and passcode.

**Highlights:** Block distracting iOS applications, Create a "Safe Zone" for focused work, Parental controls for screen time management, Face ID and passcode protection, Develop good habits

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Subscription Trial | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Monthly Subscription Trial | $3.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription Discount | $6.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription Discount | $9.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription Discount | $17.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $34.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription With Trial | $34.99 | per year |


### LockMe

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lockme-applock-for-lock-apps/id6460862187)

Control app usage on your device or for your children with time and location-based restrictions. Automate app blocking, minimize distractions, and protect sensitive information for a balanced digital life.

**Highlights:** Time-based app restrictions, Location-based app blocking, Automated app access control, Minimize distractions, Protect sensitive apps, App grouping management

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| App Lock Unlimited | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| LockMe Pro | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| App Lock Unlimited | $9.99 | per month |
| LockMe Pro | $12.99 | per month |
| App Lock Unlimited | $24.99 | per year |
| Lock Unlimited Apps | $49.99 | per year |
| LockMe Pro | $49.99 | per year |
| App Lock Unlimited | $79.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for protecting kids
- 👍 Useful for restricting apps
- 👍 Helps with homework focus
- 👍 Good for safeguarding children
- 👍 App ran smoothly (one instance)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App freezes frequently
- 🐛 App does not lock apps
- 🐛 Cannot access app after forgetting PIN
- 🐛 App requires premium for full functionality
- 🐛 Misleading promo for free lifetime premium

**Reported bugs**

- App does not lock apps
- App freezes during use
- App crashes when trying to turn on Face ID
- App is locked out after setting passcode
- App crashes when Face ID option is turned off

**Requested features**

- Option to reset PIN
- More free functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shadow free?

Shadow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is LockMe free?

LockMe is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Shadow or LockMe?

Shadow is rated higher. Shadow averages 4.7 out of 5 from 113 ratings, while LockMe averages 4.6 from 229 ratings.

### Do Shadow or LockMe have ads?

Shadow shows ads; LockMe does not.

### Which is updated more often, Shadow or LockMe?

Shadow ships an update every 2 months, and LockMe every 3 weeks. Most recently, Shadow was updated on September 21, 2026 and LockMe on September 19, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*