# Barrier vs Deen Time

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barrier at none against Deen Time's 5. Barrier also leads on ratings volume (341 vs 22). Deen Time's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). On price, monetization model, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Deen Time sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Barrier asks for nothing beyond the download.

Deen Time holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Barrier has 341 ratings behind it against 22, 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 100% of Deen Time's.

Barrier ships an update fortnightly, Deen Time weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barrier | Deen Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (341 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barrier-screen-time-for-focus/id6448244443/reviews) | **[5.0 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deen-time-screen-time-control/id6742126857/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **341** | 22 |
| Positive reviews | 80.3% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 42 MB | 161 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 17.5 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Haplo, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1476210690) | [Shayaan Khan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1796980699) |

## 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


### Deen Time

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deen-time-screen-time-control/id6742126857)

This app helps you build healthier digital habits by managing screen time, blocking distractions, and focusing on what matters. It offers tools for productivity, spiritual balance, and discipline during work or study, including prayer reminders.

**Highlights:** Screen time management, App blocking, Website restrictions, Focus modes, Prayer reminders, Qibla direction

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Deen Time Yearly Discounted | $19.99 | per year |
| Pro Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Deen Time | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barrier free?

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

### Is Deen Time free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Barrier or Deen Time?

Deen Time is rated higher. Barrier averages 4.6 out of 5 from 341 ratings, while Deen Time averages 5.0 from 22 ratings.

### Do Barrier or Deen Time have ads?

Barrier shows ads; Deen Time does not.

### Which is updated more often, Barrier or Deen Time?

Barrier ships an update fortnightly, and Deen Time weekly. Most recently, Barrier was updated on October 25, 2026 and Deen Time on October 24, 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.*