# App Lock vs Screen time control

The clearest difference is rating: Screen time control at 5.0 against App Lock's 4.3. App Lock's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (183 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Screen time control sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. App Lock asks for nothing beyond the download.

Screen time control holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: App Lock has 183 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

App Lock ships an update every 3 weeks, Screen time control fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | App Lock | Screen time control |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (183 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/app-lock-lock-apps/id6458880741/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-control-screenza/id6759700381/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **183** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 77.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Freemium |
| Size | 29 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [碧 郑](https://appshunter.io/developer/1633389687) | [少杰 李](https://appshunter.io/developer/1795315824) |

## What reviewers say

### App Lock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/app-lock-lock-apps/id6458880741)

This tool helps parents manage children's smartphone usage, preventing social media and game addiction. It offers features to lock apps, set focus modes, and prevent unwanted deletions or installations, promoting responsible digital habits and privacy.

**Highlights:** Parental control for social media and games, App lock for private apps, Focus mode for concentration, Password protection for apps, Prevent app deletion, Limit app installations

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Screen time control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-control-screenza/id6759700381)

This app helps you manage your digital life by controlling screen time and blocking distracting applications. It offers features to improve productivity, build better habits, and protect privacy through app locking and usage tracking.

**Highlights:** App lock, Screen time limits, Focus mode, Usage insights, Custom schedules

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| screen time control - week | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| screen time control - 1st_week | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| screen time control - year | $9.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is App Lock free?

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

### Is Screen time control free?

Screen time control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, App Lock or Screen time control?

Screen time control is rated higher. App Lock averages 4.3 out of 5 from 183 ratings, while Screen time control averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do App Lock or Screen time control have ads?

Both App Lock and Screen time control show ads.

### Which is updated more often, App Lock or Screen time control?

App Lock ships an update every 3 weeks, and Screen time control fortnightly. Most recently, App Lock was updated on October 15, 2026 and Screen time control on September 20, 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.*