App Lock vs Photon Access
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
App Lock
Secure your sensitive applications and personal data with this privacy tool. Easily lock any app to prevent unauthorized access and keep your information out of sight from prying eyes. Enjoy enhanced device security and peace of mind.
- Lock any application
- Hide sensitive apps
- Block websites
- Intuitive interface
- Prevent unauthorized access
- Enhance device privacy
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App Lock is a privacy app designed to help keep your sensitive apps private and secure on your device. With App Lock, you can easily block any app you want, ensuring that you remain private and out of sight from prying eyes. The app features an intuitive and user-friendly interface that allows you to quickly and easily select the apps you want to lock. Once an app has been locked, nobody will be able to access your private data. App Lock is the perfect solution for anyone looking to ensure more privacy and security on your device. * In order to use App Lock you need to purchase the Lilucat Pro which is an annual service that costs 29.99$. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase and auto-renews at the same price unless disabled in iTunes Account Settings at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your subscription can be managed in your iTunes Account Settings. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Links Terms of Service: https://applock.lilucat.com/legal/terms Privacy: https://applock.lilucat.com/legal/privacy
Photon Access
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Photon Access turns your phone into the key for your building. Open the gate and the lift with a tap — or turn on touchless and let the door open as you walk up, without taking your phone out. EVERY DOOR YOU'RE ALLOWED, IN ONE PLACE Your buildings, and the doors you've been granted in each, on a single screen. Tap to open. If you're out of range, the app tells you plainly instead of leaving you guessing. WALK UP AND IT OPENS Turn on touchless and Photon Access notices when you arrive at your own doors and opens them for you. It stays off until you switch it on, it only ever watches for your own doors, and you can turn it off at any time. LET A VISITOR OR A COURIER IN Send one link. It opens your doors for a single visit and then expires, and it works even if they have never installed the app. Afterwards your history shows what actually happened at the door, so you know whether they got in. JOIN YOUR BUILDING IN SECONDS Invited by your building manager? Your access appears on its own. Invited by phone number? Enter the code you were sent. FOR BUILDING MANAGERS Set up access controllers, add and remove residents, issue and revoke cards, and manage units across every building you look after — from the same app. ENGLISH AND ARABIC Fully localised, including right-to-left layout. PRIVACY Photon Access uses Bluetooth to reach the controller at your door, and location only if you turn touchless on. Your location is never sold, shared, or used for advertising, and the app contains no tracking or advertising SDK. You can delete your account from Settings at any time. Photon Access works with Photon Smart access controllers installed in your building. If you are not sure whether yours are supported, ask your building manager.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Photon Access at none against App Lock's 7. Photon Access also leads on ads (none vs shown). App Lock's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price and device support 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. App Lock sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Photon Access asks for nothing beyond the download.
App Lock ships an update fortnightly, Photon Access every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | App Lock | Photon Access |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (5.2K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 57.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 5.2K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Subscription | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 43 MB | 41 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Lilucat | Mark Ragaee |
Bugs and requests
App Lock
Reported bugs
3 issues- Buttons at the bottom of the screen are inaccessible on some devices
- Prompts are not legible with larger font settings
- Locked apps can still be accessed by restarting the phone
Requested features
4 requests- Allow concealing the app locker
- Add scheduling/time-based locking
- Provide separate unlock code from phone passcode
- Improve usability when Dynamic Island is in use
Photon Access
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
App Lock
- App Lock$4.991 Month
- App Lock3 Days trial$7.997 Days
- App Lock2 variants$9.991 Month
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- App Lock$14.991 Year
- App Locker for iPhone$29.991 Year
- App Lock$59.99
Photon Access
No in-app purchases









