Locked vs Skillmark
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
Skillmark
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See your practice add up! Skillmark is the fitness tracker for your hobbies. Log a guitar session, a run, or an hour of drawing, and watch it turn into levels, streaks, and a clear record of where your time goes. Best of all, it's easy to use. Add a hobby in a minute, tap Start, and Skillmark keeps the score. KEY FEATURES • Your Skills Every hobby gets its own skill, split into the areas you actually practice. A guitar skill can hold technique, rhythm, repertoire, and ear training. Spanish can hold vocabulary, listening, and speaking. • Your Practice Start a stopwatch, run a focus timer, or log time afterward. Every session counts toward your next level and rank. • Your Progress Streaks, a practice calendar, and trend views show how consistent you've been. The balance view shows what you've been skipping. • Your Goals Set a target like 100, 1,000, or 10,000 hours. Skillmark works out the weekly pace you need and forecasts when you'll get there. MORE THINGS TO LOVE • Learn — hand-picked courses and resources for each skill. • Milestones — mark the moments that matter, like your first recital or first full conversation. • Reminders — a nudge when it's time to practice. • Daily plan — set how long you want to practice each day and watch it fill. • Backups — export your data, or back up automatically to a folder you choose. • Themes — light and dark themes with several color palettes. • Accessibility — a reduce-motion setting and screen reader labels. NO ACCOUNT NEEDED Skillmark works without an account. Your practice history stays on your device. FOR WHATEVER YOU'RE INTO Guitar, piano, singing, drawing, running, languages, archery, baking, writing, coding. If you keep coming back to it, Skillmark can track it. Have a question or an idea? Email skillmarkapp@gmail.com. Feedback goes straight into the app.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Locked at none against Skillmark's 1. Locked also leads on ads (none vs shown). Skillmark's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks) and device support (3 vs 1). On price 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
Both are free to download. Skillmark sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Locked asks for nothing beyond the download.
Locked ships an update every 2 weeks, Skillmark every 5 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Locked | Skillmark |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SocialMate Pty Ltd | Sean Mitchell |
In-app purchases
Locked
No in-app purchases
Skillmark
- Skillmark Plus$5.99








