# ChessLock vs WakeMinder

The clearest difference is rating: ChessLock at 4.8 against WakeMinder's 4.5. WakeMinder's advantage is review sentiment (76% vs 67%) and ratings volume (22 vs 4). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ChessLock sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and WakeMinder sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ChessLock holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WakeMinder has 22 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of ChessLock's written reviews are positive against 76% of WakeMinder's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

ChessLock ships an update fortnightly, WakeMinder weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ChessLock | WakeMinder |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chesslock-screen-time-control/id6744930081/reviews)** | [4.5 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wakeminder-popup-reminders/id6744974871/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **22** |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | **76.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 50 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Patricio Guzman](https://appshunter.io/developer/1707843725) | [Omar Sherif](https://appshunter.io/developer/1809869389) |

## What reviewers say

### ChessLock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chesslock-screen-time-control/id6744930081)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Chesslock Pro | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Chesslock Pro | $4.99 | per month |
| Chesslock Pro | $29.99 | per year |
| Chesslock Pro | $17.49 | one-time |
| Chesslock Pro | $34.99 | one-time |


### WakeMinder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wakeminder-popup-reminders/id6744974871)

This app ensures you never forget your tasks. It automatically displays reminders the moment your Mac wakes up, preventing lost focus and forgotten intentions. Ideal for those who need instant clarity on their next action.

**Highlights:** Automatic reminders on Mac wake, Hands-free dictation on Apple Watch, Share links that auto-open, Floating reminder windows, iCloud sync across devices, Apple Reminders integration

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| WakeMidner PRO - Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| WakeMinder PRO - Yearly | $5.99 | per year |
| WakeMinder PRO - Lifetime | $12.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ChessLock free?

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

### Is WakeMinder free?

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

### Which has better reviews, ChessLock or WakeMinder?

ChessLock is rated higher. ChessLock averages 4.8 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while WakeMinder averages 4.5 from 22 ratings.

### Do ChessLock or WakeMinder have ads?

Neither ChessLock nor WakeMinder shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ChessLock or WakeMinder?

ChessLock ships an update fortnightly, and WakeMinder weekly. Most recently, ChessLock was updated on October 25, 2026 and WakeMinder on October 8, 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.*