Comparison

Bloom vs Pagelock

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

Head to head
About

Bloom

This app helps you conquer screen time by requiring you to tap an NFC keycard to your phone to access distracting apps. Set schedules, manage breaks, and utilize strict mode to stay focused. It's a physical solution for digital detox and improved productivity.

Highlights
  • NFC keycard app blocking
  • Customizable distraction lists
  • Focus schedules
  • Break limits
  • Strict mode
  • Emergency exits
Read full description

Most screen time apps fail because they’re easy to bypass. Bloom was created to fix that. Bloom revolutionizes your productivity by requiring you to scan an NFC keycard to your phone to access distracting apps. **How It Works** - Choose Your Distractions: Select the apps or websites you find most distracting. - Block Your Distractions: Tap your Bloom card to your phone to block those apps. - Live Distraction-Free: Stay productive with your card out of reach. When ready, just tap your Bloom card to your phone to unblock your apps. **Features** - Schedules: Set personalized schedules for your focus periods, allowing them to start and end automatically. - Breaks: Use your apps mindfully by setting limits on the frequency and duration of your breaks. - Strict Mode: Disable your ability to delete the Bloom app while in focus mode (optional). - Emergency Exits: Unblock all of your apps without your bloom card up to three times. **Why Bloom** - Spend less time on your phone and more time doing things that actually matter. - Improve your work habits by blocking out distractions. - Our physical solution is the ultimate solution for digital detox and time management. With Bloom’s NFC keycard, you can leave the “key” to your distractions behind, ensuring you stay focused and productive. Find your Bloom today and enjoy life beyond your phone! (We prioritize your privacy—your screen time data stays securely on your device and is never shared or stored elsewhere). Learn more by visiting our website: bloom.inc

About

Pagelock

This app helps you build a reading habit by replacing mindless scrolling with engaging with a physical book. It requires you to read and answer a question about a scanned book page before you can access distracting apps, promoting focus and reducing screen time.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps until reading
  • Unlock phone through reading
  • Scan printed book pages
  • Complete reading checks
  • Timed reading sessions
  • Set daily reading goals
  • Track reading progress
Features
Read full description

Pagelock helps you read more and scroll less. A simple way to stop doomscrolling and build a real reading habit. When a distracting app calls for your attention, Pagelock puts something better in the way. A real book. Open a page. Read it. Scan it. Answer a quick question. Then decide if you still want to continue. That small pause changes the moment. Instead of falling straight into mindless scrolling, you stop, read, and come back with more focus and control. Pagelock is for people who want: • less doomscrolling and more real reading • a distraction blocker that actually helps you grow • a calmer, more mindful relationship with their phone • to reduce screen time without deleting apps What you can do with Pagelock: • block distracting apps until you read a real page • unlock your phone through reading, not willpower • scan a printed book page with your camera • complete a quick reading check to verify you read • run timed reading sessions and build a daily habit • set daily reading goals and track streaks • choose how unlocks work • track your reading progress and history over time Pagelock is not another screen time app that shames you into putting your phone down. It is a digital detox tool that replaces the scroll with something real. A book. Read to unlock. Build a reading habit. Take back your focus. *All features described above and shown in screenshots require a subscription* Terms of Use: https://pagelock.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://pagelock.app/privacy

Screenshots

Bloom4 screens
Pagelock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Bloom at 66% against Pagelock's 0%. Bloom also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). 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. Pagelock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Bloom asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Bloom holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bloom has 2.4K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of Bloom's written reviews are positive against 0% of Pagelock's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bloom ships an update fortnightly, Pagelock every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Bloom versus Pagelock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBloomPagelock
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2.4K ratings) — better3.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews65.5% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2.4K — better4
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 4 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFind Your Bloom LLCOmar Darwish

Customer experience

Bloom

All ratings2,129 ratings
Positive94.8%
Neutral1.8%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews415 reviews
Positive65.5%
Neutral10.4%
Negative24.1%

Pagelock

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

Bloom

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App crashes when selecting apps for blocklist
  • Settings fail to save consistently

Requested features

2 requests
  • More flexible session scheduling options
  • Thinner, more discreet physical card

Pagelock

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Bloom

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Pagelock

Subscriptions3
  • PageLock Pro Weekly$9.997 Days
  • PageLock Pro Annual$9.991 Year
  • PageLock Pro Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Bloom free?
Bloom is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pagelock free?
Pagelock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Bloom or Pagelock?
Bloom is rated higher. Bloom averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.4K ratings, while Pagelock averages 3.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Bloom or Pagelock have ads?
Neither Bloom nor Pagelock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bloom or Pagelock?
Bloom ships an update fortnightly, and Pagelock every 4 weeks. Most recently, Bloom was updated on October 15, 2026 and Pagelock on October 7, 2026.

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