Comparison

Côntrol vs Locked

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

Head to head
About

Côntrol

This app provides granular control over data access and usage. It features real-time authorization updates and immediate revocation capabilities. Enhanced security options like time-fencing and geofencing are available in the premium version.

Highlights
  • Granular access control
  • Real-time authorization updates
  • Immediate access revocation
  • Military-grade encryption
  • Time-fencing
  • Geofencing
  • Read-only limitations
Features
Read full description

Côntrol: simple and intuitive, you control WHO has access, HOW it can be used, as well as WHEN and WHERE it can be viewed. Utilizing military-grade encryption, access and usage can be immediately revoked as authorization is updated in real-time. The premium version provides enhanced security controls such as time-fencing, geofencing, read-only limitations, and restricting forward, copy, print, and save.

About

Locked

This app uses a physical NFC tag to create friction and help you break phone addiction. Set app limits and lock them until you scan the tag, encouraging focus and reducing distractions.

Highlights
  • NFC-powered physical tag app blocker
  • Deep Focus Mode with no override
  • Customizable app blocking
  • Works with Apple Screen Time API
  • Minimal interface for easy setup
  • No data collection or cloud sync
Read full description

Locked is the most effective screen time control app that pairs with a physical NFC tag to help you reduce screen time, stay focused, and stop phone addiction. We all know how it goes: you sit down to work or study, and before you know it, you’re lost in a scroll loop - Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, games, notifications, distractions. Even with screen time apps (like those expensive apps, Opal, cough), it’s easy to override the limit. Your brain knows there’s no real consequence. That’s why Locked is different. Why Locked Works: According to behavioral science, friction changes behavior. Most screen time apps are low-friction - you can override limits with a tap. But with Locked, you set app limits and then lock them with a physical NFC tag. When the tag is out of reach, so are your distractions. You can’t override it unless you scan the tag. This break in the autopilot gives your rational brain a chance to intervene and choose focus. How It Works: Choose which apps to block inside the Locked app Scan your phone to the Locked Tag Your selected apps are now locked. Leave the tag at home, in a drawer, or far away Apps stay blocked until you scan the tag again to unlock them No passwords, no sneaky bypass. Just a real-world app blocker your brain respects. Benefits: Save 1–4 hours per day from less screen time Improve focus and productivity at work or school Stop phone addiction and doomscrolling habits Be more present with friends, family, and yourself Support your mental health by reducing digital overwhelm Create intentional tech boundaries that stick Build better habits with a tool that holds you accountable Reduce stress and anxiety caused by overuse Helps with ADHD and ADD Gain back control, without deleting apps or your whole phone Features: NFC NFC-powered tag that physically locks your phone’s distracting apps Works with Apple Screen Time (no shady VPNs or tracking) Deep Focus Mode: no override without the tag Custom app blocking: choose what’s locked vs what stays usable (e.g., music, maps, messages) Simple, minimal interface designed for quick setup and long-term success No data collection, no cloud sync. Your usage stays private and secure What People Are Saying: “I’ve tried everything - Focus Mode, Opal, Screen Time — but nothing worked until Locked. The physical tag makes all the difference.” “It’s like turning your phone into a brick when you need to focus.” “I didn’t realize how often I opened apps out of habit until I used Locked. Game changer for productivity and mental clarity.” Privacy & Terms: We care about your privacy. Locked does not track your app usage or personal data. All blocking is handled locally using Apple’s Screen Time API. Privacy Policy: https://nowlocked.com/policies/privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://nowlocked.com/policies/terms-of-service

Screenshots

Côntrol4 screens
Locked4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Locked at every 2 weeks against Côntrol's every 2 months. Côntrol's advantage is monetization model (free vs ad-supported) and device support (3 vs 1). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Côntrol against 5.0 for Locked. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 2 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Côntrol ships an update every 2 months, Locked every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Côntrol versus Locked: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCôntrolLocked
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size69 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDataRock Technologies, Inc.SocialMate Pty Ltd

Customer experience

Côntrol

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Locked

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Côntrol

No in-app purchases

None

Locked

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Côntrol free?
Côntrol is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Locked free?
Locked is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Côntrol or Locked?
Côntrol and Locked are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do Côntrol or Locked have ads?
Neither Côntrol nor Locked shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Côntrol or Locked?
Côntrol ships an update every 2 months, and Locked every 2 weeks. Most recently, Côntrol was updated on October 4, 2026 and Locked on September 28, 2026.

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