Comparison

App Blocker vs bar'd

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

Head to head
About

App Blocker

This app helps you break the habit of excessive app usage by setting custom time limits between launches. It provides instant interception with usage statistics and allows for flexible overrides, all while ensuring 100% privacy as your data never leaves your device.

Highlights
  • Smart App Blocking
  • Instant Interception
  • Flexible Overrides
  • Insightful Usage Stats
  • Fully Customizable
  • 100% Private
Read full description

Tranquo – Reclaim Your Focus, One App at a Time Tired of getting lost in your favorite apps? Tranquo helps you break the habit loop and take control of your screen time—without guilt, pressure, or invasive tracking. Whether you’re a professional, student, or just trying to stay more present, Tranquo makes it easy to set healthy boundaries with your device. ============= Key Features: • Smart App Blocking Set custom time gaps between app launches. Tranquo gently stops you from opening the same app too often—so you stay on track. • Instant Interception Integrated with system Shortcuts and automation. When you try to launch a blocked app, Tranquo steps in immediately with a prevention screen and helpful usage stats. • Flexible Overrides Need to break the rule? You can override a block with a single tap—you’re always in control. • Insightful Usage Stats See how often you open apps and at what times. Spot patterns and adjust your habits with clear, actionable insights. • Fully Customizable Personalize everything—from app-specific time limits to intentional switching settings and block lists. • 100% Private Your data never leaves your device. No accounts, no syncing, no tracking—ever. ============= How It Works: 1. Choose the apps you want to monitor. 2. Set a time limit between launches. 3. Try to open a blocked app too soon? Tranquo intercepts and shows your usage data. 4. Check your trends, tweak your settings, and stay mindful. ============ Why Tranquo? • Cut back on distractions and mindless scrolling • Strengthen your focus and productivity • Build better habits without relying on willpower • Simple, effective, and private by design Terms of use: www.lagotgames.com/termsofuse Start building a healthier relationship with your phone. Download Tranquo and refocus on what matters.

About

bar'd

This app enforces digital discipline by linking your phone's Focus Modes to physical barcodes. Scan a barcode to unlock distracting apps, ensuring genuine accountability for your screen time. Track your progress and build streaks towards focused hours.

Highlights
  • Enforce focus modes with physical barcodes
  • Shield distracting apps at system level
  • Customizable app whitelists
  • Automated daily focus schedules
  • Track focused hours and streaks
  • On-device data privacy
Features
Read full description

bar'd is the ultimate physical lock for your digital distractions. Built on Apple's strict Screen Time API, bar'd doesn't just ask you nicely to put your phone down—it forces you to. Link your custom Focus Modes (like Work, Study, or Phone-free Dinner) to a physical barcode anywhere in your house or office. Once you activate a session, your distracting apps are shielded. The only way back in? Get up, walk over, and scan that exact physical barcode. There is no PIN bypass. There is no cooldown timer. There is no "remind me in 15 minutes." You either delete the app, or you scan the barcode. HOW IT WORKS: Create a Mode: Set up a profile (e.g., "Dumb phone") and whitelist only the apps you actually need. Everything else gets shielded. Bind a Barcode: Link the mode to any physical barcode (a book, a coffee bag, a label on your desk). Lock In: Activate the mode manually or set an automated daily schedule. Unlock: To pause, edit, or stop the session early, you must physically scan the tied barcode. KEY FEATURES: • Unbreakable Focus: Uses Apple's FamilyControls to securely shield blocked apps at the system level. • Physical Accountability: Ties your digital habits to the physical world using your camera's AVFoundation pipeline. • Custom Schedules: Automate your focus times in the background. • Stats & Streaks: Track your focused hours, build a daily streak, and climb the ranks up to Grandmaster. • Private by Design: All App Group state and SwiftData persistence happens entirely on-device.

Screenshots

App Blocker4 screens
bar'd4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: bar'd at 5.0 against App Blocker's 4.0. bar'd also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (4 vs 1). App Blocker's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, review sentiment, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. App Blocker sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. bar'd asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

bar'd holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 4 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
App Blocker versus bar'd: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterApp Blockerbar'd
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings14 — better
Update frequency—Every 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size41 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSemih CihanKenneth Rapko

Customer experience

App Blocker

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

bar'd

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

App Blocker

Subscriptions4
  • Pro$1.997 Days
  • Pro3 Days trial$1.997 Days
  • Pro$19.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Pro7 Days trial$19.991 Year
None

bar'd

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is App Blocker free?
App Blocker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is bar'd free?
bar'd is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, App Blocker or bar'd?
bar'd is rated higher. App Blocker averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while bar'd averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do App Blocker or bar'd have ads?
Neither App Blocker nor bar'd shows ads.

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