# App Lock vs Block Apps

The clearest difference is monetization model: Block Apps at freemium against App Lock's subscription. Block Apps also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (67% vs 58%). App Lock's advantage is ratings volume (5.2K vs 19) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). On price, rating, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. App Lock sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Block Apps sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for App Lock against 4.5 for Block Apps. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: App Lock has 5.2K ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 58% of App Lock's written reviews are positive against 67% of Block Apps's.

App Lock ships an update fortnightly, Block Apps every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | App Lock | Block Apps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (5.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/app-lock/id6448239603/reviews) | [4.5 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/block-apps-oltalox/id6449697057/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **5.2K** | 19 |
| Positive reviews | 57.9% of reviews | **66.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Freemium** |
| Size | 43 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lilucat](https://appshunter.io/developer/1676061700) | [FoxfortMobile](https://appshunter.io/developer/1544295696) |

## What reviewers say

### App Lock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/app-lock/id6448239603)

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.

**Highlights:** Lock any application, Hide sensitive apps, Block websites, Intuitive interface, Prevent unauthorized access, Enhance device privacy

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| App Lock | $4.99 | per month |
| App Lock | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| App Lock | $9.99 | per month |
| App Lock | $14.99 | per year |
| App Locker for iPhone | $29.99 | per year |
| App Lock | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful app
- 🔒 Provides app security
- 🔒 Locks apps with Face ID/Touch ID/PIN
- 👍 Great for keeping private information secure
- 👍 Useful for parents to restrict child access

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Home screen layout gets scrambled when app is turned off
- 🐛 App Blocker resets widget stacks
- 💰 Aggressive subscription push
- 🔒 Locked apps only unlocked for a limited time
- 🐛 Doesn't persist app blocking across phone restarts

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


### Block Apps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/block-apps-oltalox/id6449697057)

This app helps you stay focused by blocking distracting applications for set periods or times of day. Track your progress with weekly statistics and manage your digital well-being effectively.

**Highlights:** Block any app, Block multiple apps together, Block for specific durations, Block based on time of day, View weekly progress statistics, Unlock challenges

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Oltalox Premium Monthly | $3.00 | per month |
| Oltalox Premium Yearly | $20.00 | per year |
| Oltalox Premium Lifetime | $24.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is App Lock free?

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

### Is Block Apps free?

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

### Which has better reviews, App Lock or Block Apps?

App Lock and Block Apps are both rated 4.5 out of 5 on the App Store, from 5.2K and 19 ratings respectively.

### Do App Lock or Block Apps have ads?

App Lock shows ads; Block Apps does not.

### Which is updated more often, App Lock or Block Apps?

App Lock ships an update fortnightly, and Block Apps every 5 weeks. Most recently, App Lock was updated on October 20, 2026 and Block Apps on October 7, 2026.

---

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