Comparison

Screen Time Control vs Cat Lock

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Mindful screen time prompts
  • Optional focus sessions
  • Daily activity notifications
  • App blocking for routines
  • Privacy-focused data storage
Features
Read full description

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.

About

Cat Lock

Read full description

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

Screen Time Control4 screens
Cat Lock4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Screen Time Control versus Cat Lock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreen Time ControlCat Lock
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (38 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews73.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings38 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.617.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB168 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVaibhav NegiChelsKat LLC

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Screen Time Control

Subscriptions4
  • 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
Show 1 more
  • Inscreen (Yearly for Family)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • Inscreen (Lifetime)$29.99
  • Inscreen (Lifetime for Family)$59.99
2 purchases

Cat Lock

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly$2.997 Days
  • Cat Lock Pro Yearly$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Screen Time Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cat Lock free?
Cat Lock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Screen Time Control or Cat Lock have ads?
Neither Screen Time Control nor Cat Lock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Screen Time Control or Cat Lock?
Screen Time Control ships an update fortnightly, and Cat Lock every 2 days. Most recently, Screen Time Control was updated on October 20, 2026 and Cat Lock on October 4, 2026.

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