# AppLock vs App Guardian

The clearest difference is rating: App Guardian at 5.0 against AppLock's 4.4. App Guardian also leads on ads (none vs shown). AppLock's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ratings volume (241 vs 1). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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 App Guardian sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

App Guardian holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AppLock has 241 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

AppLock ships an update every 8 days, App Guardian weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AppLock | App Guardian |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (241 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/applock-hide-and-secure-apps/id6463155691/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/app-guardian-privacy-and-security/id6740409871/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **241** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 76.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 8 days | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 71 MB | 23 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [俊涛 刘](https://appshunter.io/developer/1702439770) | [青伟 刘](https://appshunter.io/developer/1254343646) |

## 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 |


### App Guardian

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/app-guardian-privacy-and-security/id6740409871)

Secure your device by locking apps, encrypting private media, and preventing accidental purchases. Manage children's screen time and app installations for a safer digital environment. Offers comprehensive protection for your privacy and information.

**Highlights:** App locking for social media and games, Secure vault for photos and videos, App usage statistics tracking, Uninstall prevention for important apps, Parental controls for screen time and installations, Payment locking for app stores, Accidental deletion and purchase prevention

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| App Guardian & Lock (Weekly) | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Annual Membership | $6.99 | per year |
| VIP Member | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AppLock free?

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

### Is App Guardian free?

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

### Which has better reviews, AppLock or App Guardian?

App Guardian is rated higher. AppLock averages 4.4 out of 5 from 241 ratings, while App Guardian averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do AppLock or App Guardian have ads?

AppLock shows ads; App Guardian does not.

### Which is updated more often, AppLock or App Guardian?

AppLock ships an update every 8 days, and App Guardian weekly. Most recently, AppLock was updated on October 30, 2026 and App Guardian on September 14, 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.*