# Barrier vs Screen Time Limit

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barrier at none against Screen Time Limit's 5. Barrier also leads on ratings volume (346 vs 12). Screen Time Limit's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Screen Time Limit sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. Barrier asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Barrier against 4.7 for Screen Time Limit. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Barrier has 346 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Barrier ships an update fortnightly, Screen Time Limit every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barrier | Screen Time Limit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (346 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barrier-screen-time-for-focus/id6448244443/reviews) | **[4.7 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-limit-disconnect/id6744035362/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **346** | 12 |
| Positive reviews | 80.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Freemium |
| Size | 66 MB | 36 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Haplo, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1476210690) | [Thom Kamphuis](https://appshunter.io/developer/1805660875) |

## 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 limiting access to your favorite apps. It introduces intentional delays or ad-watching requirements before you can open them, encouraging healthier digital habits and increased productivity.

**Highlights:** Blocks social media apps, Introduces ad-watching or wait times, Promotes healthier digital habits, Digital wellness assistant, Reduces mindless scrolling, Increases productivity

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo 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-disconnect/id6744035362)

This app helps you regain control of your phone usage by setting clear boundaries. It combines app blocking, customizable schedules, and simple insights to minimize distractions during work, study, or relaxation. Take back your time and reduce impulse checking with this minimalist screen time companion.

**Highlights:** App blocking by category or individual app, Customizable focus sprints and longer blocks, Daily and weekly scheduling for routines, Insightful dashboard for usage patterns, Minimalist and simple user interface, Scheduled downtime for calmer evenings

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $34.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $59.99 | 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?

Screen Time Limit is rated higher. Barrier averages 4.7 out of 5 from 346 ratings, while Screen Time Limit averages 4.7 from 12 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 every 8 days. Most recently, Barrier was updated on November 7, 2026 and Screen Time Limit on October 30, 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.*