Locked vs Noteverse
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
Noteverse
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Noteverse is an infinite canvas for your thoughts, notes and projects, without the rigid hierarchies of a traditional note-taking app. HOW IT WORKS Every note or folder is a node on an endless 2D canvas. Open a folder and you zoom into a whole new canvas; go back and you zoom out. Navigation is spatial, not a stack of lists, and you can nest folders inside folders as deep as you like. TWO VIEWS, SAME CONTENT Switch instantly between Canvas View, where you place things wherever you want, and List View, a tidy vertical list in the order you choose, perfect for writing fast. They're two ways of looking at the same notes, never two separate copies. ZONES, POST-ITS, PINS, PATHS, LINKS Group notes visually with Zones, put titles up big with Post-its, mark key points with Pins and connect ideas with Paths. Add direct links to WhatsApp, Telegram, Spotify, YouTube, Gmail or any website. EVERYTHING UNDER ONE THUMB The Control Hub at the bottom of the screen has a joystick to glide around and all your tools within reach. Long-press anywhere for a quick menu: create something new or jump to nearby elements. MEET ORBI A little alien on a flying saucer lives in a portal at the edge of your canvas. Pet it, throw it around, or land it on your map and watch it explore your notes on its own. You can turn it off anytime. BRING YOUR OLD NOTES Paste your notes from another app and AI sorts them into zones and folders for you. Your first import is free (account required). YOUR DATA STAYS YOURS No account needed to use the app: it works fully offline, local-first. Export your whole graph to a single JSON file whenever you want, with no lock-in. An optional account is only used for purchases and AI import. DESIGN Clean interface, dark mode by default plus a light theme, vivid or "Opaque colors", and a primary color you choose that even changes the app icon. Available in 17 languages. No ads, no tracking. Free up to 100 nodes; unlock unlimited nodes forever with a one-time purchase.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Locked at none against Noteverse's 2. On price, update cadence, 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. Noteverse sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Locked asks for nothing beyond the download.
Locked ships an update every 2 weeks, Noteverse fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Locked | Noteverse |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 63 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SocialMate Pty Ltd | Giuseppe Aiello |
In-app purchases
Locked
No in-app purchases
Noteverse
- 3 AI Import Credits$0.99
- Lifetime Node Unlock$0.99









