# AppLock vs Screen Time Control

The clearest difference is ads: Screen Time Control at none against AppLock's shown. Screen Time Control also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4). AppLock's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (205 vs 4). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. AppLock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days and Screen Time Control sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Screen Time Control holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AppLock has 205 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.

AppLock ships an update every 8 days, Screen Time Control every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AppLock | Screen Time Control |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (205 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/applock-hide-and-secure-apps/id6463155691/reviews) | **[4.8 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-control-anchor/id6587558179/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **205** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 76.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 71 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [俊涛 刘](https://appshunter.io/developer/1702439770) | [Stephen Fung](https://appshunter.io/developer/1505257864) |

## What reviewers say

### AppLock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/applock-hide-and-secure-apps/id6463155691)

Secure your mobile device by locking apps to protect privacy and prevent unauthorized access. Manage screen time with customizable schedules and usage limits to improve focus and well-being. Offers advanced security features and parental controls.

**Highlights:** Direct app locking, Scheduled app locking, Countdown and quota usage limits, Widget lock for home screen, Face ID and password dual lock, Prevent inappropriate app installs, Anti-deletion protection

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly Premium | $9.99 | per year |


### Screen Time Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screen-time-control-anchor/id6587558179)

This app helps you build better focus habits by scheduling app blocking and managing screen time. It offers scheduled blocking, manual focus sessions, and usage insights to eliminate distractions and improve productivity.

**Highlights:** Scheduled app blocking, Manual focus sessions, Smart notifications, Usage insights, Privacy-focused design, Apple Screen Time framework integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Lifetime | $29.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AppLock free?

AppLock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Screen Time Control free?

Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, AppLock or Screen Time Control?

Screen Time Control is rated higher. AppLock averages 4.4 out of 5 from 205 ratings, while Screen Time Control averages 4.8 from 4 ratings.

### Do AppLock or Screen Time Control have ads?

AppLock shows ads; Screen Time Control does not.

### Which is updated more often, AppLock or Screen Time Control?

AppLock ships an update every 8 days, and Screen Time Control every 5 months. Most recently, AppLock was updated on October 11, 2026 and Screen Time Control on October 1, 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.*