# Barrier vs Limit

The clearest difference is ads: Limit at none against Barrier's shown. Limit also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Barrier's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Barrier against 4.6 for Limit. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 308 and 245 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of Barrier's written reviews are positive against 78% of Limit's.

Barrier ships an update fortnightly, Limit every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on September 26, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barrier | Limit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (308 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barrier-screen-time-for-focus/id6448244443/reviews)** | [4.6 (245 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/limit-control-the-scroll/id6738286409/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **308** | 245 |
| Positive reviews | **80.3% of reviews** | 78.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 42 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Haplo, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1476210690) | [Eighty Percent Solutions](https://appshunter.io/developer/960372430) |

## 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


### Limit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/limit-control-the-scroll/id6738286409)

This app helps you regain control of your phone usage by setting daily time limits for distracting applications. It blocks apps by default, making each use a conscious decision and helping you improve focus and presence.

**Highlights:** Blocks distracting apps by default, Set daily time limits, Mindful app usage tracking, Behavioral science principles, Runs quietly in the background, Promotes focus and presence

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barrier free?

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

### Is Limit free?

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

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

Barrier is rated higher. Barrier averages 4.7 out of 5 from 308 ratings, while Limit averages 4.6 from 245 ratings.

### Do Barrier or Limit have ads?

Barrier shows ads; Limit does not.

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

Barrier ships an update fortnightly, and Limit every 6 weeks. Most recently, Barrier was updated on September 26, 2026 and Limit on September 26, 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.*