Screen Time Control vs Cat Lock
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Screen Time Control
This app promotes mindful screen time usage by prompting regular reflection and offering optional focus sessions. It guides users toward healthier digital habits through awareness and subtle nudges, rather than strict blocking. Data is kept private on the device.
- Mindful screen time prompts
- Optional focus sessions
- Daily activity notifications
- App blocking for routines
- Privacy-focused data storage
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Inscreen is more than a screen time tracker. Inscreen helps you pause and reflect on your screen time at regular intervals throughout the day. Designed for simplicity and privacy, Inscreen has minimal features and a zero learning curve, helping you get started quickly. ⏵ HOW IS INSCREEN DIFFERENT? Unlike other screen time apps that completely block access, Inscreen draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help you recognize your screen time habits through regular prompts and inculcate healthier behaviours without restrictions. ⏵ WHY IT WORKS? We tap into a few key psychological principles and behavioural patterns. Here’s why it works: - Awareness = Better Choices: Regular reminders to ask whether you're on your phone intentionally, encouraging healthier choices. - Guiding, not controlling: Instead of strict limits, scheduled subtle nudges to guide you toward mindful decisions, without the frustration of restrictions. - Accountability: Weekly progress, actionable insights and daily notifications leading to lasting behaviour changes. - Low barrier to entry: No drastic changes or restrictions, making it easy to integrate into daily life and gradually adjust over time. ⏵ FEATURES - Alerts to be intentional about your screen time. - Focus sessions to completely block distracting apps for a set routine, say, during work or winding down at night. - Strict daily limits to keep your screen time in control. - Notifications that help you track your daily activity. - Secure and private. All your data stays on your device. ⏵ HOW DOES THE SETUP WORK? 1. Choose the distracting apps or categories. 2. Set a daily limit. 3. Set up focus sessions (optional). ⏵ FINANCIAL AID We’re on a mission to solve phone addiction and distraction. We’re determined to help everyone. Our Financial Aid program offers a free 1 year subscription to individuals who are financially stretched but are in need. The link to apply is in the app. ⏵ ABOUT Inscreen is self-funded and run by two independent developers — Preet and Vaibhav. ⏵ LINKS Privacy Policy: https://github.com/theinscreenapp/ios/blob/main/privacy.md. Terms: https://github.com/theinscreenapp/ios/blob/main/terms.md. Support: https://github.com/theinscreenapp/ios/blob/main/support.md.
Cat Lock
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Cat Lock blocks your most distracting apps after you've used them too long. When time's up, your cat takes over the screen — and won't leave until you take a real break. HOW IT WORKS • Choose which apps to block — Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, Reddit, Discord, even games and shopping apps • Set your usage limit — 5 minutes to 2 hours • Use your apps normally until your time is up • When time's up, your cat takes over the screen • Watch a real cat video for 5 minutes • Apps unlock. Clock resets. Repeat. NOT ANOTHER BORING BLOCKER Most screen time apps either lock your apps all day or add an annoying delay to every single open. Cat Lock lets you actually use your apps — with real breaks built in. Instead of guilt, you get a cat. Usage-based, not punishment-based. WHAT MAKES CAT LOCK DIFFERENT • Usage-based blocking — time only counts while you're actually in the app • Real cat videos during every break — a different cat every time • New cats added all the time — the break never gets old • See your progress at a glance — track distractions blocked, streaks, and time reclaimed. • Per-app or combined limits — track each app separately or share one pool • Blocks apps AND websites — no Safari bypass • Works silently in the background — no willpower required THE CAT LOCK EXPERIENCE Your cat notices patterns. It counts every attempt your most tempting app makes. It shows you what you got back — not minutes, but movies, walks, and books. No screen time app has done it like this. And when you win the day, it tells you: "The apps tried. You won." PERFECT FOR • Doomscrollers who can't stop once they start • Anyone who opens an app for five minutes and looks up an hour later • Anyone whose willpower needs a gatekeeper • Cat people. Obviously. "Less doomscrolling. More life." Cat Lock requires a subscription to access all features. Terms of Service: https://www.catlock.io/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.catlock.io/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Cat Lock at every 2 days against Screen Time Control's fortnightly. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Screen Time Control sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Cat Lock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Screen Time Control ships an update fortnightly, Cat Lock every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Screen Time Control | Cat Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (38 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 73.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 38 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 17.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 168 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Vaibhav Negi | ChelsKat LLC |
In-app purchases
Screen Time Control
- Inscreen (Monthly)3 Days trial$1.991 Month
- Inscreen (Monthly for Family)3 Days trial$3.991 Month
- Inscreen (Yearly)7 Days trial$14.991 Year
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- Inscreen (Yearly for Family)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Inscreen (Lifetime)$29.99
- Inscreen (Lifetime for Family)$59.99
Cat Lock
- Weekly$2.997 Days
- Cat Lock Pro Yearly$29.991 Year









