Comparison

Security Camera vs App Lock

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

Head to head
About

Security Camera

Transform your old Apple devices into a powerful security camera system. Stream live video, capture snapshots, and receive motion detection alerts remotely. Footage is securely stored on your device or in your private iCloud.

Highlights
  • Live video feed
  • Video and snapshot recording
  • Time-lapse videos
  • Motion detection with notifications
  • Adjustable storage duration
  • Secure iCloud storage
Read full description

Watchful turns your iPhone, iPad, or Mac into a security camera. Your footage is securely stored on your device or in your private iCloud storage, allowing you to view it remotely on your other devices. No account setup is necessary if you already use iCloud. In addition to recording videos and taking snapshots at an adjustable interval, Watchful makes time-lapse videos to give you a convenient overview. There's also a live video feed that you can access from your other devices via iCloud. With motion detection, you can choose to record videos only when movement is detected and receive notifications on your other devices. You can configure how long you want to keep your security camera footage, according to your needs and available storage. You'll see an estimate of the storage you need so that you can stay within your limits or increase your available storage. Whether you want to use your devices as a home security camera, a nanny cam, a baby monitor, or a pet monitor, Watchful can cover all your surveillance needs. Key features - Live video feed - Video or snapshot mode - Time-lapse videos - Motion detection with notifications - Adjustable storage duration - Videos and photos securely saved in your private iCloud storage --- Privacy policy: watchful.cam/privacy Terms of use: apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

About

App Lock

This app offers robust privacy and protection features for your device. Secure your applications with password or face unlock, prevent unwanted installations and deletions, and block in-app purchases. Customize restriction modes for different activities to manage screen time effectively.

Highlights
  • Password protection for apps
  • Prevent app installation
  • Prevent app deletion
  • Block in-app purchases
  • Customizable restriction modes
  • Face unlock support
Features
Read full description

Regardless of whether you're willing or not, electronic devices have become indispensable tools for children amidst the pandemic. At-home parenting has become reliant on electronic products, as they serve as productivity enhancers, but that doesn't mean parents can completely let go. To address this, we've introduced a powerful application aimed at providing comprehensive app protection and privacy management features. This application includes the following features: Password Protection: Users can set password protection for restricted applications, ensuring only authorized users can access them. Prevent Installation: This feature prevents the installation of new applications from the app store, effectively controlling the number and type of applications on the device. Prevent Deletion: Prevents accidental deletion of applications, particularly those containing important data like chat records, ensuring data security. In-App Purchase Blocking: Blocks in-app payments to prevent users from incurring additional costs unintentionally. Multiple Mode Switching and App Restriction Grouping: Users can customize app restriction modes for different scenarios such as learning, socializing, and gaming, and can also add custom groups to control screen time more flexibly. Set Application Password: Users can set a separate password for this application to protect its settings and features from unauthorized access. Face Unlock: In addition to passwords, users can use face unlock to quickly unlock applications, enhancing convenience and security. Subscription Services: Payment: Payments are deducted through the user's iTunes account immediately upon purchase confirmation, offering various subscription modes for users to choose from. Renewal: Apple iTunes accounts will be charged 24 hours before expiration, with the subscription period extending by 1 cycle upon successful payment. Cancel Subscription Renewal: To cancel subscription renewal, manually disable auto-renewal in Settings/Apple ID at least 24 hours before the current subscription expires.

Screenshots

Security Camera4 screens
App Lock4 screens

Verdict

The call

Security Camera and App Lock both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 74% of Security Camera's written reviews are positive against 33% of App Lock's. Security Camera also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (159 vs 5). App Lock's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Security Camera sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and App Lock sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Security Camera against 4.6 for App Lock. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Security Camera has 159 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 74% of Security Camera's written reviews are positive against 33% of App Lock's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Security Camera ships an update every 2 months, App Lock weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Security Camera versus App Lock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSecurity CameraApp Lock
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (159 ratings)4.6 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews73.7% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings159 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB53 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAnthony R. DePasquale小玲 黄

Customer experience

Security Camera

All ratings156 ratings
Positive87.2%
Neutral4.5%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive73.7%
Neutral10.5%
Negative15.8%

App Lock

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Security Camera

Subscriptions2
  • Watchful Pro (monthly)$8.991 Month
  • Watchful Pro (annual)3 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Watchful Pro (lifetime)$99.99
1 purchases

App Lock

Subscriptions1
  • Pro3 Days trial$2.991 Month

Questions

Is Security Camera free?
Security Camera is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is App Lock free?
App Lock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Security Camera or App Lock?
App Lock is rated higher. Security Camera averages 4.5 out of 5 from 159 ratings, while App Lock averages 4.6 from 5 ratings.
Do Security Camera or App Lock have ads?
App Lock shows ads; Security Camera does not.
Which is updated more often, Security Camera or App Lock?
Security Camera ships an update every 2 months, and App Lock weekly. Most recently, Security Camera was updated on October 27, 2026 and App Lock on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons