Barrier vs ONYX
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Barrier
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.
- Block social media apps
- Limit app access
- Promote healthier digital habits
- Incentivize reduced scrolling
- Digital wellness assistant
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Are you tired of wasting precious hours scrolling through social media apps? Do you want to break free from the cycle of constant distractions? Barrier is here to help. Our app acts as a blocker for social media apps, limiting your access and promoting healthier digital habits. With Barrier, you can only open your social media apps if you watch an ad or wait our 30 second load times, creating an incentive to reduce the amount of time you spend scrolling mindlessly. But Barrier is more than just a blocker. It's a digital wellness assistant, helping you take control of your digital life Don't let social media control your life. Take back control with Barrier!
ONYX
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Limit Your Screen Time and Boost Your Productivity with ONYX Are you tired of losing precious hours to endless scrolling? Meet ONYX, the ultimate app designed to help you take control of your screen time and supercharge your focus. With ONYX, you can easily set limits on app usage and create structured schedules tailored to your lifestyle. Key Features: App Limits Establish boundaries by setting daily limits on distracting apps. Whether it’s social media, games, or anything else that pulls your attention away, ONYX allows you to manage your usage effectively. Timetables Create personalized schedules to optimize your focus. Block access to distracting apps during work hours or study sessions, so you can stay productive and engaged when it matters most. Insights and Progress Tracking Gain valuable insights into your usage patterns with our Focus Report. Track your progress and see how much time you’re saving, helping you stay motivated and on track. Customizable Experience Tailor ONYX to fit your needs by adding or removing apps from your block list. Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, or any other distracting app, you decide what to restrict. Benefits of Using ONYX: Enhanced Focus: Experience fewer distractions and increased concentration. Improved Productivity: Get more done in less time by eliminating interruptions. Mindfulness: Develop healthier digital habits and reduce stress through mindful usage. Better Work-Life Balance: Create time for family, friends, and self-care by managing your screen time effectively. Mindfulness: Develop healthier digital habits and reduce stress through mindful usage. Terms and Conditions: https://www.aresapplications.com/onyx-terms-of-use Privacy Policy: https://www.aresapplications.com/onyx-privacy-policy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barrier at none against ONYX's 6. ONYX's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. ONYX sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.29 per 7 days. Barrier asks for nothing beyond the download.
Barrier ships an update fortnightly, ONYX every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.
| Parameter | Barrier | ONYX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (343 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 80.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 343 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 42 MB | 74 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Haplo, LLC | Aresapps Inc |
Bugs and requests
Barrier
Reported bugs
14 issues- 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
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- Last iOS release caused issues with re-locking after unlocking
- Timer resets but apps remain unlocked after unlocking
- Instagram and TikTok not always blocked
- App stops working after a few days, requires re-download
- Editing screen for blocked apps crashes sometimes
- Custom schedule setting does not work for overnight blocking (end time before start time)
- Does not unlock apps half the time after watching an ad
- Cannot make edits to timer or unlock time
- Cannot unlock apps without reinstalling after deleting the app before unlocking
Requested features
7 requests- 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
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- Ability to set a certain amount of time per day and then block apps
- Update to end the 10-minute screentime after the ad finishes
ONYX
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Barrier
No in-app purchases
ONYX
- Full Week Access$0.297 Days
- Full Monthly Access$9.991 Month
- Full Month Access3 Days trial$19.991 Month
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- Full Annual Access7 Days trial$49.991 Year
- Full Annual Access14 Days trial$99.991 Year
- Full Lifetime Access$99.99









