Comparison

Padlock vs Sprout

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

Sprout

This app helps individuals with ADHD manage tasks and reduce overwhelm using AI, gamification, and a virtual pet. It offers features like flexible streaks, gentle reminders, and AI-powered task breakdown to support executive dysfunction.

Highlights
  • AI-powered task management
  • Virtual pet companion that grows
  • Flexible streaks with 'Free Days'
  • Gentle reminders and calming themes
  • AI Brain Dump for scattered thoughts
  • Goal setting and progress tracking
  • Focus Timer and breathing exercises
Features
Read full description

Sprout is the ADHD task manager and planner with a virtual pet companion who grows with you! Turn overwhelming todo lists into calm, organized action with AI, gamification, and zero pressure. Features built through real input by ADHDers. PROBLEM: TRADITIONAL APPS FAIL ADHD BRAINS Harsh deadlines. Punishing streaks. Endless complexity. Apps built for neurotypical minds make ADHD worse SOLUTION: SPROUT WORKS WITH YOUR BRAIN Every feature is designed for how ADHD and neurodivergent minds actually work: • Purpose built, evidence based tools FOR ADHD. • Calming themes (choose your own ADHD-friendly color palette!) • Instant dopamine rewards and XP for every completed task • Flexible streaks with "Free Days" so you never feel guilty • Tasks auto-rollover so nothing disappears on you • Day Plan keeps you focused on just what matters right now • Simple View for distraction-free, pure focus • Gentle reminders, never nagging FEELING OVERWHELMED? BRAIN DUMP IT! ADHD brain racing with a million thoughts? Just dump everything out. Type it or speak it! Sprout's AI instantly: • Transforms scattered thoughts into organized tasks • Breaks big tasks & projects into manageable steps • Suggests priorities based on your energy level The perfect ADHD overwhelm tool for executive dysfunction moments. STRUGGLING WITH BIG GOALS? ADHD executive dysfunction makes goal setting feel impossible. Sprout makes it achievable! • Set goals across Health, Productivity, Learning, Creativity & Social • Link tasks to goals and watch your progress grow • Get AI-powered tips to stay motivated • Celebrate milestones with your pet companion CAN'T DECIDE WHAT TO DO NEXT? Decision fatigue is real for ADHD brains. Sprout helps! • AI Prioritize sorts tasks by energy and impact • "What's Next" picks the perfect task when you're stuck • Customizable priorities: Manual, Rule-based, or AI NEED HELP FOCUSING? • Focus Timer: Pomodoro sessions (5, 15, 25, 45 min) for ADHD focus • Take 5 Breathing: 4-7-8 guided technique for ADHD anxiety • Task Reader: Listen to tasks read aloud (great for auditory processors!) • Nag Mode: Fun animal-sound reminders for accountability YOUR VIRTUAL PET COMPANION Choose from 5 adorable companions who grow as you complete tasks! • Celebrates every win with you • Evolves through 3 life stages • Never dies or guilts you. Always supportive! EVERYTHING YOU GET FOR FREE • Unlimited tasks with smart keyboard shortcuts • Filters: All, Today, Tomorrow, Upcoming • One-tap task completion with instant dopamine rewards • 5 AI task breakdowns per week • 3 AI Brain Dump sessions per week (type or voice!) • 3 "What's Next" AI suggestions per day • 1 AI Prioritize per day • Focus Timer, Breathing, Task Reader, and Nag Mode • 1 pet companion, 3 categories, 5 subtasks per task • Daily streaks with 2 Free Days per week • Recurring tasks, daily planning, and shared patches UNLOCK PREMIUM FOR THE FULL EXPERIENCE • Unlimited AI task breakdowns • 20 Brain Dump sessions per day • Unlimited "What's Next" AI suggestions • 20 AI Prioritize per day • All 5 pet species (Red Panda, Fox, Otter, Bird + Sprout) • 5 active goals with unlimited tasks and AI goal tips • Enhanced Task Reader with category filters • 10 categories, unlimited subtasks, full task history • 5 Free Days per week + streak pause • 5 additional ADHD-friendly themes WHO IS SPROUT FOR? • Adults with ADHD seeking executive function support • ADHD students managing school, assignments, and life • Neurodivergent individuals overwhelmed by traditional planners • Anyone who wants a kinder, gamified approach to productivity Simpler than Habitica. More ADHD-focused than Todoist. More engaging than Forest. Download Sprout and finally experience the ADHD planner that works with your brain! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Padlock4 screens
Sprout4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Padlock at none against Sprout's 2. Sprout's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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. Sprout sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Padlock asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Padlock ships an update every 2 weeks, Sprout every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Padlock versus Sprout: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPadlockSprout
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.3 (26 ratings) — better
Positive reviews86.7% of reviews — better81.8% of reviews
Number of ratings—26 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB81 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPadlock Focus Technologies LTDJONATHAN DOUGLAS LAI

Customer experience

Padlock

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

Sprout

All ratings26 ratings
Positive84.6%
Neutral7.7%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive81.8%
Neutral9.1%
Negative9.1%

In-app purchases

None

Padlock

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Sprout

Subscriptions2
  • Sprout Premium Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Sprout Premium Annual$59.991 Year

Questions

Is Padlock free?
Padlock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sprout free?
Sprout is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Padlock or Sprout have ads?
Neither Padlock nor Sprout shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Padlock or Sprout?
Padlock ships an update every 2 weeks, and Sprout every 11 days. Most recently, Padlock was updated on October 14, 2026 and Sprout on October 11, 2026.

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