Comparison

GiveInstead vs BabyLock

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

Head to head
About

GiveInstead

This app facilitates charitable giving by allowing users to donate funds they would have otherwise spent on non-essential purchases. It offers a unique way for individuals to practice generosity and for charities to receive additional support.

Highlights
  • Redirect planned spending to charities
  • Support favorite charities
  • Track charitable giving
  • Ministry-focused giving
  • Simple donation process
Features
Read full description

GiveInstead helps givers give and charities receive in a new, unique way. Anecdotes are best. I'm on my way to work and plan to stop by for a froofy coffee on the way. I know I'm called to give as God has given so generously, and to be a good steward of what He's provided. So, I decide to pop open the GiveInstead app, type $5.87 into the amount field and - because my favorite charity is already defaulted - I just touch "Give", and I move on. I just gave ... instead of buying something I wanted but did not really need. What a concept! GiveInstead is a simple app for giving, helping generous people give in moments where they planned to spend money either way, but wish to choose giving over consuming. Imagine the result... hundreds or dollars (thousands?) given each month rather than buying stuff, "where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal" (Matt 6:19). And if you're one of the charities involved, imagine receiving more donations, on top of one-time gifts and monthly recurring giving. This app - in short - is a ministry intended to prime our collective pumps for GIVING as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gave so fully and sacrificially. GiveInstead is a ministry of HowGiving. Learn more at GiveInstead.app or HowGiving.org.

About

BabyLock

Read full description

BabyLock helps parents put the phone down and capture what matters. When you try to open a distracting app, BabyLock steps in and interrupts the scroll. Instead of falling back into the same habit, you come back to BabyLock and do something real: write a quick reflection, snap a photo, record a voice note, log a milestone, or do a fast mood check-in. The result is less screen time and a growing timeline of your child’s everyday moments. Use BabyLock to: - Become present parents - Block the apps that pull your attention away - Unlock your apps after completing a quick reflection or memory - Save photos, videos, voice notes, journal entries, milestones, and check-ins - Build streaks that keep you coming back to what matters - Track your progress over time - Keep private memories on your device by default - Export your data any time - Built for parents, BabyLock is designed to help you pause, be present, and keep the little moments that are easy to miss. Privacy comes first: - Your memories, notes, and check-ins stay on your device by default. BabyLock also includes privacy controls, data export, and optional diagnostic sharing. Terms: https://babylock.app/terms Privacy: https://babylock.app/privacy

Screenshots

GiveInstead3 screens
BabyLock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: GiveInstead at none against BabyLock's 4. BabyLock's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. BabyLock sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. GiveInstead asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GiveInstead ships an update every 3 months, BabyLock fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
GiveInstead versus BabyLock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGiveInsteadBabyLock
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB287 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHowGiving LLCCaldera, LLC

In-app purchases

None

GiveInstead

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

BabyLock

Subscriptions3
  • Pro$4.997 Days
  • Babylock Annual$39.991 Year
  • Babylock Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$89.99

Questions

Is GiveInstead free?
GiveInstead is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BabyLock free?
BabyLock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do GiveInstead or BabyLock have ads?
Neither GiveInstead nor BabyLock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GiveInstead or BabyLock?
GiveInstead ships an update every 3 months, and BabyLock fortnightly. Most recently, GiveInstead was updated on October 9, 2026 and BabyLock on October 31, 2026.

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