# Barrier vs TidyType

The clearest difference is ads: TidyType at none against Barrier's shown. TidyType also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Barrier's advantage is ratings volume (338 vs 5). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

TidyType holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Barrier has 338 ratings behind it against 5, 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 TidyType's.

Barrier ships an update fortnightly, TidyType every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barrier | TidyType |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (338 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barrier-screen-time-for-focus/id6448244443/reviews) | **[5.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tidytype/id6782207841/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **338** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | 80.3% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 42 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Haplo, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1476210690) | [0923Labs LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/6782109524) |

## 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


### TidyType

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tidytype/id6782207841)

This smart keyboard automatically corrects grammar, spelling, and phrasing as you type. It also offers instant translation between English, Korean, and Spanish, with adjustable formality levels. Use it across all your apps to refine your messages and emails.

**Highlights:** Grammar, spelling, and phrasing correction, English, Korean, and Spanish translation, Adjustable output formality, Works in any app, Highlight specific text for editing

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barrier free?

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

### Is TidyType free?

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

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

TidyType is rated higher. Barrier averages 4.6 out of 5 from 338 ratings, while TidyType averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.

### Do Barrier or TidyType have ads?

Barrier shows ads; TidyType does not.

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

Barrier ships an update fortnightly, and TidyType every 3 weeks. Most recently, Barrier was updated on October 21, 2026 and TidyType on October 6, 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.*