Comparison

Padlock vs Fluid Focus App

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

Head to head
About

Padlock

This app locks distracting applications on your iPhone by requiring a physical device to be tapped against your phone. Once locked, apps remain inaccessible until the physical device is tapped again to unlock them.

Highlights
  • Lock distracting apps
  • Physical device integration
  • App access control
  • Phone distraction management
Read full description

Padlock will change the relationship you have with your phone. Tap it against your iPhone, stash the Padlock somewhere that's out of the way, and your distracting apps are locked up. If you need to unlock them, retrieve the padlock and tap it again. To use this app, a physical Padlock device is required.

About

Fluid Focus App

This app helps you manage screen time and boost productivity by blocking distractions and rewarding healthy digital habits. It offers customizable focus sessions, guided meditations, and smart app blocking features to help you stay present and achieve your goals.

Highlights
  • Rewards for healthier screen time
  • Customizable focus and rest sessions
  • Guided meditation suite
  • Smart app blocking with schedules and time limits
  • Walk to Unlock feature
  • Progress tracking and analytics
  • Community support
Features
Read full description

The world's favourite screen time and productivity rewards app! Take control of your screen time, sharpen your focus, and get rewarded for building healthier digital habits. Whether you're a student chasing better study sessions or a professional looking to eliminate distractions, Fluid Focus is your all-in-one productivity companion. Key Features Rewards for Healthier Screen Time Stay focused and earn Fluid Coins to redeem for: - Weekly wellness rewards (incl. £250 vouchers for your favorite wellness brands!) - Support our amazing partner charity, Mary's Meals — turn your better habits into tangible impact, supporting kids through their education — everybody wins in this virtuous cycle! Focus & Rest Sessions Boost productivity with customizable focus intervals inspired by the Pomodoro Technique, enhanced with science-backed focus music from global leaders in the space, Myndstream. Meditation Suite Recharge your mind with guided meditations from certified mindfulness coaches to reset and refocus between sessions. Smart App Blocking Take control with powerful, flexible rules and schedules that fit your lifestyle: - Schedules — Block distracting apps automatically on selected days and timeframes you set. - App Time — Set a daily time limit for any app; when it's up, the app is blocked. - Screen Time — Keep your overall screen time in check by capping total device usage. - Walk to Unlock — Turn movement into motivation. Set a daily step goal and block distracting apps until you hit it — a healthy habit that gets you moving before scrolling. Fluid Focus uses Apple Health to track your daily steps for the Walk to Unlock feature. Block distracting apps and silence notifications on your schedule and by your rules — so you can stay present, productive, and in control. Track Your Progress Visualize your journey with detailed analytics to measure your digital wellness and productivity habits. Community Support Join thousands of like-minded students and professionals working toward focus, productivity, and healthier screen habits. Why Choose Fluid Focus? Unlike other productivity apps, Fluid Focus combines powerful focus tools with a reward system that makes building better screen habits motivating and fun. Turn distraction into productivity. Reduce stress. Achieve more — and feel great while doing it. Download Fluid Focus today and start your journey toward a more focused, fulfilling life — for free. PRIVATE & SAFE We use Apple's Screen Time API in order to monitor and block apps you use. Installation is easy and takes a few seconds on your iPhone. Your screen time, health, and personal browsing data never leaves your device. TERMS, PRIVACY & CONDITIONS Read on https://www.fluidfocus.app/our-privacy-policy

Screenshots

Padlock4 screens
Fluid Focus App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Padlock at none against Fluid Focus App's 2. Padlock also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.6). Fluid Focus App's advantage is review sentiment (98% vs 87%). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. Fluid Focus App sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Padlock asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Padlock ships an update every 2 weeks, Fluid Focus App every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Padlock versus Fluid Focus App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPadlockFluid Focus App
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.8 (14 ratings) — better
Positive reviews86.7% of reviews97.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—14 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB100 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperPadlock Focus Technologies LTDFluid Focus Ltd

Customer experience

Padlock

Written reviews30 reviews
Positive86.7%
Neutral13.3%
Negative0.0%

Fluid Focus App

All ratings14 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews93 reviews
Positive97.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.2%

Bugs and requests

Padlock

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Fluid Focus App

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Coins not accruing properly
  • Countdown timer canceling unexpectedly

Requested features

2 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • More customization options for focus sessions

In-app purchases

None

Padlock

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Fluid Focus App

Subscriptions2
  • Fluid Focus Pro7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Fluid Focus Pro7 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is Padlock free?
Padlock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Fluid Focus App free?
Fluid Focus App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Padlock or Fluid Focus App have ads?
Neither Padlock nor Fluid Focus App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Padlock or Fluid Focus App?
Padlock ships an update every 2 weeks, and Fluid Focus App every 10 days. Most recently, Padlock was updated on October 14, 2026 and Fluid Focus App on October 15, 2026.

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