Comparison

Barrier vs Scroll Blocker

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Barrier

This app helps you break free from social media distractions by limiting access to chosen applications. It introduces intentional delays or ad viewing to discourage mindless scrolling, promoting healthier digital habits and increased productivity.

Highlights
  • Social media app blocking
  • Intentional delays for app access
  • Ad-based access incentive
  • Digital wellness assistant
  • Promotes healthier digital habits
  • Reduces mindless scrolling
Features
Read full description

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!

About

Scroll Blocker

Features
Read full description

Your phone gets picked up about 85 times a day. Doug is here to change that. Flip your phone face down and Doug starts digging. The longer you stay off your phone, the deeper he digs and the rarer the gems he brings back. Ready to make your scroll time earn its keep? Start your first focus session today. HOW DOUG WORKS Doug is a grumpy little digger who only works when you don't. Put your phone face down to start a focus session and he grabs his helmet and heads underground. Every distraction-free minute takes him deeper. Come back to gems, streaks, and a wall of rare finds. EARN YOUR SCROLL Doug flips the deal you have with your phone. Distracting apps stay locked until you put in focus time. The gems Doug digs up are your currency: spend them to unlock TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube for exactly as long as you choose. No willpower required, just a fair trade. BLOCK THE APPS THAT EAT YOUR TIME - Block distracting apps and whole categories with Apple's Screen Time framework - Build custom groups like Entertainment or Social and lock them together - Spend gems on 5, 15, or 30 minute breaks; every break relocks on its own - Bedtime keeps distracting apps locked overnight, from lights out to wake up STAY ON TRACK - Lock screen widget shows Doug digging in real time, so unlocking your phone means interrupting him - Anti-scroll notifications step in when a break is about to end - Streaks and milestones keep your progress visible - Emergency unlock for the moments that matter, three a month WHY IT WORKS Getting back on track after an interruption takes about 23 minutes. Doug adds just enough friction to make you pause before the tap, and just enough reward to make staying off feel like winning. No guilt, no shame. Just a small friend who digs while you live your life. PRIVATE & SECURE Doug runs on Apple's Screen Time framework. Your activity stays on your device and is never sold or shared. WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU Questions, ideas, or a bug to report? Reach us any time at info@strivexai.co. Doug reads everything, slowly, with a shovel in one paw. Privacy Policy: https://strivexai.co/privacy-policy/miner Terms of Use: https://strivexai.co/terms-conditions/miner

Screenshots

Barrier4 screens
Scroll Blocker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Barrier at none against Scroll Blocker's 3. On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Scroll Blocker sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Barrier asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Barrier versus Scroll Blocker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBarrierScroll Blocker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (345 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews80.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings345 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyFortnightly
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB109 MB
Age rating12++4
DeveloperHaplo, LLCStrivex Dijital Hizmetler Anonim Sirketi

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
Show 9 more
  • 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
Show 2 more
  • 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

Scroll Blocker

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Barrier

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Scroll Blocker

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Pro Access T3$9.997 Days
  • Yearly Pro Access T3$39.991 Year
  • 7D-FT Yearly Pro Access T37 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Barrier free?
Barrier is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Scroll Blocker free?
Scroll Blocker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Barrier or Scroll Blocker have ads?
Both Barrier and Scroll Blocker show ads.
Which is updated more often, Barrier or Scroll Blocker?
Barrier ships an update fortnightly, and Scroll Blocker fortnightly. Most recently, Barrier was updated on November 4, 2026 and Scroll Blocker on November 1, 2026.

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