Comparison

Limit vs ChessLock

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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 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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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

Limit4 screens
ChessLock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Limit at none against ChessLock's 6. Limit also leads on ratings volume (245 vs 4) and review sentiment (78% vs 67%). ChessLock's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. ChessLock sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Limit asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ChessLock holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Limit has 245 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 78% of Limit's written reviews are positive against 67% of ChessLock's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Limit ships an update every 6 weeks, ChessLock fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Limit versus ChessLock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLimitChessLock
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (245 ratings)4.8 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.1% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings245 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB50 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEighty Percent SolutionsPatricio Guzman

Customer experience

Limit

All ratings245 ratings
Positive91.0%
Neutral4.1%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews32 reviews
Positive78.1%
Neutral6.3%
Negative15.6%

ChessLock

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

Limit

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

ChessLock

Subscriptions3
  • Chesslock Pro2 variants$2.991 Month
  • Chesslock Pro$19.991 Year
  • Chesslock Pro$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • Chesslock Pro$17.49
  • Chesslock Pro$34.99

Questions

Is Limit free?
Limit is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ChessLock free?
ChessLock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Limit or ChessLock?
ChessLock is rated higher. Limit averages 4.6 out of 5 from 245 ratings, while ChessLock averages 4.8 from 4 ratings.
Do Limit or ChessLock have ads?
Neither Limit nor ChessLock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Limit or ChessLock?
Limit ships an update every 6 weeks, and ChessLock fortnightly. Most recently, Limit was updated on October 11, 2026 and ChessLock on September 26, 2026.

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