Comparison

App Lock vs Black Box

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

Head to head
About

App Lock

Manage screen time and enhance privacy with customizable modes for work, personal use, and parental control. Set app restrictions, use geofencing, and secure apps with passwords or biometrics. Features include intruder alerts and app disguise for added security.

Highlights
  • Parental Control (Teen Mode)
  • Multiple Modes (Work, Personal, Beast)
  • App Restrictions & Time Limits
  • Geofencing for Location-Based Locks
  • Password & Biometric Protection
  • App Disguise & Intruder Alerts
  • Widget & Dynamic Island Quick Re-lock
Features
Read full description

This is a versatile screen time management tool that offers various modes to address different needs, whether it's for parental control to prevent children from getting addicted to games or to safeguard personal privacy. FEATURES - Parental Control: Activate the Teen Mode to effectively prevent children from indulging in social media and games. - Multiple Modes: Easily switch between Work Mode, Personal Mode, and Beast Mode, adapting to different scenarios flexibly. - App Restrictions: Set time limits for specific applications. - Geofencing: Automatically restrict app usage in specific locations. - Password Protection: Securely lock specific apps with a secret code. - Biometric Recognition: Supports Face ID & Touch ID for quick app unlocking. - App Disguise: Change app icon and unlock screen style for enhanced privacy. - Intruder Alert: Automatically detect and log suspicious failed unlock attempts. - Quick Re-lock: Supports Home Screen Widgets, Lock Screen Widgets, and Dynamic Island. Quickly re-lock unlocked apps by tapping on widget or Dynamic Island. - Additional Safeguards: Prevent app installations, app deletions, in-app purchases, enable quick unlocking, and automatically restore locks, among other protective measures. MULTIPLE MODES - Work Mode: Enhance productivity by focusing on work tasks with no distractions. - Teen Mode: Prevent teenagers from getting addicted to games and other entertainment apps, ensuring their healthy growth. - Personal Mode: Protect your personal privacy by preventing unauthorized access to your apps, giving you more control. - Beast Mode: Lock all apps to fully concentrate on tasks like studying or working out, unlocking your potential. SUBSCRIPTION TERM Confirm Subscription: Payment will be charged to your iTunes account upon confirmation. Manage Subscription: You can manage or cancel your subscription in your iTunes & App Store account settings. Auto-Renewal: Your subscription will automatically renew within 24 hours before the end of the current period. To cancel renewal, turn it off at least 24 hours before the period ends. Cancellation is not allowed during the active subscription period. Free Trial: After the trial ends, your subscription will auto-renew to the Premium plan. To avoid being charged, cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends. If you subscribe during the trial, the remaining trial period will end immediately. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://site.fastlanespace.com/app/Lock/PrivacyPolicy Give this app a try now! Prioritize privacy protection and reduce distractions, creating a healthy and secure online environment.

About

Black Box

Secure your phone by locking and restricting access to sensitive applications. Protect your private data with advanced password protection and prevent unauthorized app usage or in-app purchases. Enjoy comprehensive digital privacy with an easy-to-use interface.

Highlights
  • App locking with password protection
  • App disappearance for hidden access
  • App usage restrictions
  • Secure privacy with advanced passwords
  • Payment locking for in-app purchases
  • Intuitive interface
Features
Read full description

Black Box: Easily lock and restrict apps, protect your private data with one click. Secure your phone with a password. 100% safe and private! Don't want others to see your privacy? Use our lock and restrict features to keep your apps and data hidden from others. Try this most secure app lock and give your phone 100% privacy protection. 【Key Features】 App Locking: Set password protection for sensitive apps like social media, photo galleries, etc., protecting your privacy anytime, anywhere. App Disappearance: No one but you can find your apps unless you actively reveal them. App Restrictions: Limit app installation, deletion, in-app purchases, control app visibility everywhere, and lock app usage. Secure Privacy: The app lock features advanced security passwords, helping you lock apps and prevent others from casually viewing in-app data. Payment Locking: Lock App Store in-app purchases to avoid accidental payments or prevent your children from buying games. 【Why Choose Black Box?】 100% Safe and Reliable: Uses advanced encryption technology Easy to Use: Intuitive interface design, effortless to get started Comprehensive Protection: Guards your privacy from apps to files Continuous Updates: We constantly improve features to provide you with the best experience Download Black Box now and enjoy true digital privacy! Your encouragement drives our progress! Stay tuned for more powerful features coming soon. If you encounter any issues or have suggestions while using the app, please feel free to provide feedback within the app. blackbox@whohub.cn Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://blackbox.whohub.cn/policy/privacy Use the most reliable app lock to protect your privacy, easily safeguard your digital privacy. Use the app lock to lock apps or protect apps from being discovered, ensuring your security.

Screenshots

App Lock4 screens
Black Box4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Black Box at none against App Lock's 14. Black Box also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 weeks). App Lock's advantage is ratings volume (6.6K vs 37). On price, review sentiment, device support and iOS requirement 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. App Lock sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Black Box asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Black Box holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: App Lock has 6.6K ratings behind it against 37, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of App Lock's written reviews are positive against 67% of Black Box's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

App Lock ships an update every 2 weeks, Black Box every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and August 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
App Lock versus Black Box: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterApp LockBlack Box
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (6.6K ratings)4.8 (37 ratings) — better
Positive reviews73.4% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings6.6K — better37
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.116.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size108 MB68 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer友财 徐俊涛 刘

Customer experience

App Lock

All ratings6,551 ratings
Positive88.4%
Neutral3.6%
Negative8.0%
Written reviews497 reviews
Positive73.4%
Neutral5.4%
Negative21.1%

Black Box

All ratings37 ratings
Positive91.9%
Neutral5.4%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Bugs and requests

App Lock

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Locked apps sometimes become unlocked randomly
  • App deletion issues, unable to uninstall

Requested features

4 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Shortcut support for quick access
  • Ability to lock/unlock apps without opening the app
  • Improved notification handling for locked apps

Black Box

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

14 purchases

App Lock

Subscriptions10
  • Monthly Membership1 Month trial$3.991 Month
  • Monthly Membership$3.991 Month
  • Monthly Membership$5.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Monthly Membership$7.991 Month
  • Yearly Membership$9.991 Year
  • Yearly Membership$14.991 Year
  • Yearly Membership3 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Yearly Membership3 Days trial$16.991 Year
  • Yearly Membership$18.991 Year
  • Yearly Membership3 Days trial$18.991 Year
One-time4
  • Lifetime Membership$19.99
  • Lifetime Membership$21.99
  • Lifetime Membership$27.99
Show 1 more
  • Lifetime Membership$36.99
None

Black Box

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is App Lock free?
App Lock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Black Box free?
Black Box is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, App Lock or Black Box?
Black Box is rated higher. App Lock averages 4.6 out of 5 from 6.6K ratings, while Black Box averages 4.8 from 37 ratings.
Do App Lock or Black Box have ads?
App Lock shows ads; Black Box does not.
Which is updated more often, App Lock or Black Box?
App Lock ships an update every 2 weeks, and Black Box every 3 days. Most recently, App Lock was updated on September 26, 2026 and Black Box on August 28, 2026.

Other comparisons