Comparison

ChessLock vs CHESS/BLOCK

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

Head to head
About

ChessLock

This app helps you control screen time by blocking distracting applications. Users must solve chess puzzles to earn breaks, combining focus techniques with brain-training challenges for enhanced productivity. It prioritizes user privacy with local data storage and anonymous analytics.

Highlights
  • App blocking during focus sessions
  • Solve chess puzzles to pause
  • Brain-training challenges
  • Unlimited focus sessions (Pro)
  • Customizable puzzle difficulty (Pro)
  • Private by design, no data collection
Features
Read full description

Take control of your screen time like never before—with your brain as the key! Screen Time Control: ChessLock is a powerful focus tool that blocks distracting apps… and makes you earn your breaks by solving chess puzzles. Designed for those who want real productivity with a fun twist, ChessLock combines proven focus techniques with the timeless game of chess to help you stay in control. - How it works: Create a Focus Session Select the apps you want to block. Once it starts, you're locked in—no cheating allowed! Pause With Purpose Want a break? Solve a chess puzzle to unlock it. No puzzle, no pause. Train Your Brain Each puzzle challenge helps keep your mind sharp and focused. - Unlock More with ChessLock Pro Unlimited focus sessions Choose your puzzle difficulty Smarter, stronger app blocking Earn meaningful breaks More brain-boosting control - Why Chess? Chess is the perfect game to sharpen concentration, improve problem-solving, and help reset your brain during focused work. It’s not just screen time management — it’s brain time empowerment. - Private by Design No accounts, no personal data collection, no creepy tracking. Your preferences are stored locally, and analytics are completely anonymous. You stay in control. - Built for Everyone Whether you’re a student, freelancer, parent, or pro, ChessLock gives you a mindful, brain-powered way to manage your screen time. Download Screen Time Control: ChessLock and make every pause a power move.

About

CHESS/BLOCK

Block distracting apps and earn back screen time by playing chess puzzles. Personalized lessons and puzzles adapt to your skill level, helping you focus on what matters. Manage your app usage and improve your chess game simultaneously.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps
  • Earn screen time with chess puzzles
  • Personalized chess lessons
  • Adaptive puzzle difficulty
  • Integrates with Apple Screen Time
  • No account required
Features
Read full description

Block distracting apps. Earn screen time through chess. CHESS/BLOCK turns a scrolling break into puzzles and guided lessons matched to your level. Choose distracting apps to pause, complete chess puzzles or guided lessons, and earn time back for the apps you selected. HOW IT WORKS • Choose the apps you want to pause. • Start from your current chess level. • Solve a puzzle or complete a beginner lesson. • Earn a personalized amount of screen time for each solved puzzle. • Keep practicing to build your streak. CHESS PRACTICE FOR YOUR LEVEL Never played before? Learn how every piece moves through guided lessons before you see a rated puzzle. Already play? Set your approximate rating and training focus for puzzles matched to you. Add your Chess.com username to turn eligible mistakes from recent public games into private practice puzzles. Optional Lichess connection can use your rating to personalize difficulty and sync eligible puzzle results. Manual rating and focus controls are always available. SCREEN TIME ON YOUR TERMS CHESS/BLOCK uses Apple’s Screen Time controls to pause only the apps you select. Your earned time, app choices, and chess progress stay under your control. You can change your schedule, restore purchases, or stop blocking from the app. No ads. No CHESS/BLOCK account required. CHESS/BLOCK requires an active subscription to start new puzzle-powered focus sessions. App selection, purchase restoration, stopping, and emergency recovery remain available without an active subscription. Subscription terms and current eligibility are shown before purchase. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

ChessLock4 screens
CHESS/BLOCK4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: ChessLock at freemium against CHESS/BLOCK's subscription. ChessLock also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks) and ratings volume (4 vs 1). CHESS/BLOCK's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ChessLock sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and CHESS/BLOCK sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CHESS/BLOCK holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ChessLock ships an update fortnightly, CHESS/BLOCK every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ChessLock versus CHESS/BLOCK: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChessLockCHESS/BLOCK
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (4 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better1
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPatricio GuzmanAnkur Gupta LLC

In-app purchases

5 purchases

ChessLock

Subscriptions3
  • Chesslock Pro$2.997 Days
  • Chesslock Pro$4.991 Month
  • Chesslock Pro2 variants$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • Chesslock Pro$17.49
  • Chesslock Pro$34.99
3 purchases

CHESS/BLOCK

Subscriptions3
  • CHESS/BLOCK Weekly7 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • CHESS/BLOCK Annual7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Annual Launch Offer1 Year trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is ChessLock free?
ChessLock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CHESS/BLOCK free?
CHESS/BLOCK is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ChessLock or CHESS/BLOCK?
CHESS/BLOCK is rated higher. ChessLock averages 4.8 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while CHESS/BLOCK averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do ChessLock or CHESS/BLOCK have ads?
Neither ChessLock nor CHESS/BLOCK shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ChessLock or CHESS/BLOCK?
ChessLock ships an update fortnightly, and CHESS/BLOCK every 5 weeks. Most recently, ChessLock was updated on November 13, 2026 and CHESS/BLOCK on November 6, 2026.

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