Comparison

App Lock vs Screen Time Control

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 your phone usage and protect your privacy with this app. It offers robust parental controls, allows you to lock specific applications, and helps you set time limits to combat phone addiction. Secure your data and control your digital well-being.

Highlights
  • Lock specific apps
  • Parental control features
  • Prevent app deletion
  • Secure unlock methods (Face ID, fingerprint, password)
  • Automatic app relocking
  • Customizable app modes
  • Set app usage time limits
Features
Read full description

App Lock is your top choice for parental control, screen time management, and privacy protection! It helps you achieve the goal of "Get Rid Of Phone Addiction", allowing you to better manage your phone usage. Key Features: - Lock Apps: Choose any app you want to lock. Automatically lock specific apps based on your schedule. - Parental Control: By prohibiting the installation of new apps and limiting in-app purchases, it assists you in better controlling your child's phone activities. - Prevent App Deletion: Prohibit the deletion of apps to protect important app data. - Secure Lock: Support Face ID unlock, fingerprint unlock, and password unlock. Multiple encryption methods enhance privacy and security. - Auto Lock: After unlocking an app, it auto restores the locking functionality, saving you time and effort. - Multiple Modes: Easily switch between built-in app modes (Reading, Focus, Work, Privacy) to meet various scenario needs. - App Restrictions: Set specific time limits for app usage, helping you get rid of phone addiction and achieve better time management. If you have any questions or suggestions while using the app, feel free to provide feedback within the app.

About

Screen Time Control

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
Read full description

Anchor: Work Smarter, Scroll Less Build better focus habits with scheduled app blocking and intentional screen time Stay Grounded Welcome to Anchor — a focused productivity tool built on Apple's Screen Time framework. Anchor helps you eliminate distractions by blocking apps on a schedule, so you can show up fully for work, study, and the moments that matter. Scheduled Blocking Set recurring focus schedules for any day of the week. Choose the apps and categories you want blocked, pick your hours, and let Anchor handle the rest — automatically, every day. Manual Focus Sessions Need to focus right now? Start an instant focus session in one tap. Select your distracting apps and lock them out for as long as you need. Smart Notifications Get reminded before a focus session starts and notified when it ends, so you can prepare, transition, and stay in control of your time. Usage Insights See a clear breakdown of your screen time, app usage, and pickups. Understand your habits so you can make smarter decisions about where your attention goes. Simple & Private Anchor is designed to be fast, clean, and easy to use. All blocking is powered by Apple's Screen Time API — your usage data never leaves your device. Unlock the complete AppShield experience with Anchor Pro. Choose from three convenient auto-renewable subscription options: - Weekly - Monthly - Lifetime Subscription Details: - Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at the time of purchase confirmation. - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period, identifying the cost of the renewal. - Manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal by going to your Account Settings after purchase. - Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited upon purchasing a subscription, where applicable. Privacy Policy: https://caseadri.com/appshield/privacypolicy.html Terms & Conditions: https://caseadri.com/appshield/termsandconditions.html Support: appshield-support@caseadri.com

Screenshots

App Lock4 screens
Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: App Lock at none against Screen Time Control's 3. App Lock also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (120 vs 4). Screen Time Control's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, 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. Screen Time Control sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. App Lock asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for App Lock against 4.8 for Screen Time Control. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: App Lock has 120 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

App Lock ships an update every 5 days, Screen Time Control every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
App Lock versus Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterApp LockScreen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (120 ratings)4.8 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews85.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings120 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 5 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer秀珍 黄Stephen Fung

Customer experience

App Lock

All ratings120 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral2.5%
Negative7.5%
Written reviews153 reviews
Positive85.6%
Neutral5.2%
Negative9.2%

Screen Time Control

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

App Lock

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Screen Time Control

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Monthly$9.991 Month
One-time1
  • Lifetime$29.99

Questions

Is App Lock free?
App Lock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Screen Time Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, App Lock or Screen Time Control?
Screen Time Control is rated higher. App Lock averages 4.6 out of 5 from 120 ratings, while Screen Time Control averages 4.8 from 4 ratings.
Do App Lock or Screen Time Control have ads?
App Lock shows ads; Screen Time Control does not.
Which is updated more often, App Lock or Screen Time Control?
App Lock ships an update every 5 days, and Screen Time Control every 5 months. Most recently, App Lock was updated on October 15, 2026 and Screen Time Control on October 1, 2026.

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