# Barrier vs Screen Time Limit

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barrier at none against Screen Time Limit's 6. Barrier also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 58%) and ratings volume (343 vs 43). Screen Time Limit's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, update cadence and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Screen Time Limit sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Barrier asks for nothing beyond the download.

Barrier holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Barrier has 343 ratings behind it against 43, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Barrier's written reviews are positive against 58% of Screen Time Limit's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barrier | Screen Time Limit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (343 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barrier-screen-time-for-focus/id6448244443/reviews)** | [4.5 (43 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-limit-app-blocker/id6449219142/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **343** | 43 |
| Positive reviews | **80.3% of reviews** | 58.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 42 MB | 97 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Haplo, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1476210690) | [Salix Labs LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1807587134) |

## What reviewers say

### Barrier

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barrier-screen-time-for-focus/id6448244443)

This app helps you break free from social media distractions by blocking access to social apps. It encourages healthier digital habits by requiring users to watch an ad or wait before accessing them, promoting mindful usage and digital wellness.

**Highlights:** Block social media apps, Limit app access, Promote healthier digital habits, Incentivize reduced scrolling, Digital wellness assistant

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Highly effective at reducing screen time
- 💰 Free to use with valuable features
- 😂 Funny and smart methods (Goblin Mode)
- 💡 Creates resistance to mindless scrolling
- 🚀 Simple and easy to use interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches causing unreliability
- 🐛 Blocking not always consistent
- 🐛 Custom schedules not working correctly
- 🐛 Ads can be long and annoying
- 🐛 Violent ads in some cases

**Reported bugs**

- Blocking does not work at correct times or remains blocked at incorrect times
- Blocking stops working after a while
- Apps remain unlocked after unlocking
- Streak keeps breaking for no reason
- Custom schedule does not unlock when it's supposed to

**Requested features**

- Ability to set different apps to lock during different times
- More flexibility in setting multiple check-in times
- Option to customize the duration after watching an ad
- Fix for custom schedule not working for overnight blocking
- Option to have a daily time limit per app


### Screen Time Limit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-limit-app-blocker/id6449219142)

This app helps you improve focus and manage screen time by blocking distracting apps and websites. It offers features for self-control and parental monitoring to create a more productive digital environment.

**Highlights:** App blocking, Website blocking, Focus mode, Study timer, Parental controls, Screen time tracking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Parental Control Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium | $6.99 | per month |
| Parental Yearly Premium | $14.99 | per year |
| 50% Discount | $14.99 | per year |
| 20% Discount | $19.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $24.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barrier free?

Barrier is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Screen Time Limit free?

Screen Time Limit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Barrier or Screen Time Limit?

Barrier is rated higher. Barrier averages 4.7 out of 5 from 343 ratings, while Screen Time Limit averages 4.5 from 43 ratings.

### Do Barrier or Screen Time Limit have ads?

Barrier shows ads; Screen Time Limit does not.

### Which is updated more often, Barrier or Screen Time Limit?

Barrier ships an update fortnightly, and Screen Time Limit fortnightly. Most recently, Barrier was updated on October 27, 2026 and Screen Time Limit on October 27, 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.*