Limit vs ChessLock
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Limit
This app helps you regain control of your phone usage by setting daily time limits for distracting applications. It blocks apps by default, making each use a conscious decision and helping you improve focus and presence.
- Blocks distracting apps by default
- Set daily time limits
- Mindful app usage tracking
- Behavioral science principles
- Runs quietly in the background
- Promotes focus and presence
Read full descriptionHide full description
Scrolling steals your time – Limit helps you take it back. Limit transforms how you use your phone through simple, science-based behavioral design. You choose your distractions, set a daily time limit, and go on with your day. Limit blocks those apps by default – so every time you open one, it’s a mindful choice, not a reflex. When you decide to use a distracting app, your time budget starts ticking. When your limit is reached, those apps stay blocked for the rest of the day. You’ll feel the difference in focus, mood, and time – one intentional decision at a time. Why Limit * Blocks distractions by default – every tap becomes intentional. * Set it once, live your day – Limit runs quietly in the background. * Behavioral science built-in – based on proven habit-change principles. * Free – no subscriptions, no upsells, no ads. * Backed by Freedom – trusted by millions for digital well-being and focus. Limit doesn’t shame you for using your phone. It simply helps you stay aware, present, and in control. Whether you want to focus on work, be more present with family, or reclaim creative time, Limit makes it easier to live intentionally. Download Limit and enjoy your apps – mindfully.
ChessLock
This app helps you control screen time by blocking distracting applications. To take a break, you must solve chess puzzles, sharpening your mind and earning your pause. It's designed for anyone seeking enhanced focus and productivity with a unique, brain-boosting approach.
- Block distracting apps
- Solve chess puzzles for breaks
- Customizable focus sessions
- Brain-training puzzles
- Private by design, no data collection
- Pro version for advanced features
Read full descriptionHide full description
Take control of your screen time like never before—with your brain as the key! Screen Time Control: ChessLock is a powerful focus tool that blocks distracting apps… and makes you earn your breaks by solving chess puzzles. Designed for those who want real productivity with a fun twist, ChessLock combines proven focus techniques with the timeless game of chess to help you stay in control. - How it works: Create a Focus Session Select the apps you want to block. Once it starts, you're locked in—no cheating allowed! Pause With Purpose Want a break? Solve a chess puzzle to unlock it. No puzzle, no pause. Train Your Brain Each puzzle challenge helps keep your mind sharp and focused. - Unlock More with ChessLock Pro Unlimited focus sessions Choose your puzzle difficulty Smarter, stronger app blocking Earn meaningful breaks More brain-boosting control - Why Chess? Chess is the perfect game to sharpen concentration, improve problem-solving, and help reset your brain during focused work. It’s not just screen time management — it’s brain time empowerment. - Private by Design No accounts, no personal data collection, no creepy tracking. Your preferences are stored locally, and analytics are completely anonymous. You stay in control. - Built for Everyone Whether you’re a student, freelancer, parent, or pro, ChessLock gives you a mindful, brain-powered way to manage your screen time. Download Screen Time Control: ChessLock and make every pause a power move.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Limit at none against ChessLock's 6. Limit also leads on ratings volume (269 vs 4) and review sentiment (79% vs 67%). ChessLock's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks). On price, rating, 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
Both are free to download. ChessLock sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Limit asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Limit against 4.8 for ChessLock. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Limit has 269 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 79% of Limit's written reviews are positive against 67% of ChessLock's.
Limit ships an update every 6 weeks, ChessLock fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.
| Parameter | Limit | ChessLock |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (269 ratings) | 4.8 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 78.8% of reviews — better | 66.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 269 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 50 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Eighty Percent Solutions | Patricio Guzman |
Customer experience
Limit
ChessLock
In-app purchases
Limit
No in-app purchases
ChessLock
- Chesslock Pro$2.997 Days
- Chesslock Pro$4.991 Month
- Chesslock Pro2 variants$29.991 Year
- Chesslock Pro$17.49
- Chesslock Pro$34.99









