Simply Things vs bar'd
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Simply Things
A clean, minimalist task management application designed for focus and simplicity. It offers seamless iCloud synchronization across Apple devices and emphasizes a distraction-free user experience. Early supporters receive lifetime access to all features.
- Clean, minimalist interface
- iCloud sync across iPhone, iPad, Mac
- Distraction-free task management
- Secure data storage
- Lifetime access for early supporters
Read full descriptionHide full description
Simply Things is a minimal todo list for people who want to capture tasks quickly, stay focused, and keep daily planning light. No project-management noise. No crowded dashboards. Just a clean place for the Things you need to do, with the Apple-platform details you expect. WHAT MAKES IT SIMPLE - Fast capture for tasks the moment they come to mind - A focused list that keeps today's work readable - Pin important Things so they stay at the top - Reorder and rename Things as your day changes - Widgets that show your pinned Thing and the rest of your list - iCloud sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac - Keyboard shortcuts for fast iPad and Mac workflows BUILT FOR FEWER DISTRACTIONS Simply Things is designed to stay out of the way. It gives you enough structure to keep your tasks clear without turning your personal todo list into another system to manage. If you like low-clutter planning, quick capture, and a task manager that feels native on Apple devices, Simply Things is built for you. EARLY BIRD ACCESS Simply Things is still growing. A subscription tier is planned for later, and current Early Bird users keep access to future Simply Things features. Have feedback or a feature request? I read every message: hello@simplythings.app
bar'd
This app enforces digital discipline by linking your phone's Focus Modes to physical barcodes. Scan a barcode to unlock distracting apps, ensuring genuine accountability for your screen time. Track your progress and build streaks towards focused hours.
- Enforce focus modes with physical barcodes
- Shield distracting apps at system level
- Customizable app whitelists
- Automated daily focus schedules
- Track focused hours and streaks
- On-device data privacy
Read full descriptionHide full description
bar'd is the ultimate physical lock for your digital distractions. Built on Apple's strict Screen Time API, bar'd doesn't just ask you nicely to put your phone down—it forces you to. Link your custom Focus Modes (like Work, Study, or Phone-free Dinner) to a physical barcode anywhere in your house or office. Once you activate a session, your distracting apps are shielded. The only way back in? Get up, walk over, and scan that exact physical barcode. There is no PIN bypass. There is no cooldown timer. There is no "remind me in 15 minutes." You either delete the app, or you scan the barcode. HOW IT WORKS: Create a Mode: Set up a profile (e.g., "Dumb phone") and whitelist only the apps you actually need. Everything else gets shielded. Bind a Barcode: Link the mode to any physical barcode (a book, a coffee bag, a label on your desk). Lock In: Activate the mode manually or set an automated daily schedule. Unlock: To pause, edit, or stop the session early, you must physically scan the tied barcode. KEY FEATURES: • Unbreakable Focus: Uses Apple's FamilyControls to securely shield blocked apps at the system level. • Physical Accountability: Ties your digital habits to the physical world using your camera's AVFoundation pipeline. • Custom Schedules: Automate your focus times in the background. • Stats & Streaks: Track your focused hours, build a daily streak, and climb the ranks up to Grandmaster. • Private by Design: All App Group state and SwiftData persistence happens entirely on-device.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: bar'd at free against Simply Things's paid. Simply Things's advantage is iOS requirement (18.4 vs 26.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Simply Things against 5.0 for bar'd. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Simply Things ships an update monthly, bar'd every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Simply Things | bar'd |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 3 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.4 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Daniel Arden | Kenneth Rapko |
Customer experience
Simply Things
bar'd
In-app purchases
Simply Things
No in-app purchases
bar'd
No in-app purchases









