# Lock In vs Sharper

The clearest difference is ads: Lock In at none against Sharper's shown. Lock In also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks). Sharper's advantage is monetization model (free vs freemium) and ratings volume (8 vs 2). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Lock In sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Sharper sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Lock In against 5.0 for Sharper. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 8 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Lock In ships an update every 5 days, Sharper every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on July 6, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Lock In | Sharper |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lock-in-focus-timer-and-blocker/id6744293692/reviews) | [5.0 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sharper-screen-time-control/id6753228489/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **8** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Size | 26 MB | 133 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 17.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Yan Smaliak](https://appshunter.io/developer/1768964813) | [Sharper Studios S.R.L.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1785362589) |

## What reviewers say

### Lock In

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lock-in-focus-timer-and-blocker/id6744293692)

This app helps you eliminate distractions and build focus for improved productivity and personal growth. It offers app blocking, AI-powered insights, and progress tracking to help you achieve your goals and master new skills.

**Highlights:** App blocking during focus sessions, AI-powered productivity insights, Minimalist focus timer, Project organization, Progress tracking and statistics, Habit building support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Annual | $19.99 | per year |
| Annual | $29.99 | per year |
| Annual | $49.99 | per year |
| Annual | $49.99 | per year |


### Sharper

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sharper-screen-time-control/id6753228489)

This app helps you overcome procrastination and distractions with a motivating focus timer. It gamifies productivity with a progression system and detailed stats, encouraging deep work for studying or professional tasks.

**Highlights:** Pomodoro Focus Timer, Ranked Progression System, Distracting App Blocker, Daily, Weekly, Monthly Stats, Stopwatch Mode, Anime-inspired design

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sharper Pro | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Sharper Pro | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Lock In free?

Lock In is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Sharper free?

Sharper is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Lock In or Sharper?

Lock In and Sharper are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 8 ratings respectively.

### Do Lock In or Sharper have ads?

Sharper shows ads; Lock In does not.

### Which is updated more often, Lock In or Sharper?

Lock In ships an update every 5 days, and Sharper every 2 weeks. Most recently, Lock In was updated on July 6, 2026 and Sharper on September 10, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*