Comparison

Parental Control App:PatLock vs TimeCredit

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

Head to head
About

Parental Control App:PatLock

Remotely manage your child's phone with app locking, screen time limits, and geofencing. Control usage from your own device without needing direct access to theirs. Features include scheduled locks and customizable rules for weekdays and weekends.

Highlights
  • Remote app locking and unlocking
  • Set daily screen time limits
  • Geofencing for location-based restrictions
  • Scheduled auto-locks for specific times
  • Pure iCloud remote control
  • Optional virtual pet task assignment
Features
Read full description

PatLock — Remote Parental Control App. Manage Your Child's Phone from Anywhere. PatLock lets you lock apps, set screen time limits, and monitor usage — all from your own phone, remotely. No need to touch your child's device. Simple, secure, effective. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Remote App Locking - Lock/unlock any app on your child's device from your phone - Commands delivered in seconds - Schedule auto-lock for homework, bedtime, school hours Remote Screen Time Management - Set daily usage limits per app - Visual countdown, auto-lock when time's up - Different rules for weekdays vs weekends Remote Geofencing - Auto-restrict games near schools or study zones - Auto-unlock when leaving the area - Multiple zones supported Pure iCloud Remote Control - All commands via iCloud — no third-party servers - Real-time sync, instant status updates - Your data stays in your iCloud only Bonus: Xingbao Pet Tasks (Optional) - Assign chores through a virtual pet - Kids earn stars upon completion - Optional feature, not required for core controls Optional Disguise Mode - App can appear as a puzzle game to reduce resistance - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Security and Privacy - Face ID / passcode protection - Pure Apple CloudKit — no third-party servers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Why PatLock? - Core features free - Truly remote — no need to touch child's device - Privacy-first, your data stays yours - 10 languages supported - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Download PatLock today and take control of your family's digital life — from your phone. Privacy Policy: https://alexjiang1.github.io/privacy.html Terms and Conditions: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

TimeCredit

Features
Read full description

Digital Wellbeing & Parental Control: track your Zen Score and earn your Fun Time. TimeCredit helps families and individuals build healthier digital habits with a simple idea: useful screen time can earn Fun Time, while distracting apps spend it. No more endless arguments about screen time. No more sudden blocks. No more “just five more minutes”. TimeCredit combines Digital Wellbeing and Parental Control in one private, offline app. TWO CLEAR INDICATORS Fun Time Credit™ Work, learning or productive apps can earn Fun Time Credit™. Games, social media and entertainment apps can spend it. You decide the rules. Zen Score Your Zen Score is a simple indicator from 0 to 5 based on device usage over your observation window. It helps you understand your digital balance at a glance. WHAT YOU CAN DO • View detailed app and iOS category usage statistics • Understand where screen time is really spent • Sort apps into Work, Fun, Monitored and Restricted • Set daily limits and allowed time windows • Protect settings with a secure Parent PIN • Get gentle reminders before blocks • Create screen-free moments, curfews and observances • Keep everything private: no account, no ads, no tracking FOUR SIMPLE CATEGORIES Work Learning, reading and productivity apps that can earn Fun Time Credit™. Fun Games, social media and entertainment apps that spend Fun Time Credit™. Monitored Apps you want to track without necessarily blocking. Restricted Apps you want to limit more strictly. Set the rules once. TimeCredit applies them automatically. GENTLE REMINDERS TimeCredit can warn before a limit or screen-free period begins. Everyone gets time to finish up, making limits feel clearer and fairer. SCREEN-FREE TIME Protect the moments that matter: • bedtime and overnight curfews • family time • study time • weekly digital pauses • religious or personal observances • custom screen-free moments Your schedules and settings stay on your device. PRIVACY FIRST TimeCredit is built to respect your privacy: • no user account required • no advertising • no tracking • no personal data sold • usage data stays on your device PREMIUM Try TimeCredit Premium free for 30 days. Premium unlocks full statistics, app control, advanced rules and long-term history. Designed for parents, children, teenagers and adults, TimeCredit helps everyone build a healthier relationship with screens. Work first. Fun later. Have fun. You’ve earned it. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://timecredit.app/support_en.php#privacy-policy

Screenshots

Parental Control App:PatLock4 screens
TimeCredit4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: TimeCredit at every 3 days against Parental Control App:PatLock's every 3 weeks. 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. Parental Control App:PatLock sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and TimeCredit sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Parental Control App:PatLock ships an update every 3 weeks, TimeCredit every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Parental Control App:PatLock versus TimeCredit: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterParental Control App:PatLockTimeCredit
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.417.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer飞 江Emmanuel Zenou

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Parental Control App:PatLock

Subscriptions2
  • Parental Control Pro (Monthly)$2.991 Month
  • Parental Control Pro (Yearly)$12.991 Year
One-time2
  • Parental Control Pro - Half Price$19.99
  • Parental Control Pro(Lifetime)$39.99
6 purchases

TimeCredit

Subscriptions4
  • TimeCredit Premium Solo Monthly$2.991 Month
  • TimeCredit Premium Family Monthly$3.991 Month
  • TimeCredit Premium Solo Yearly$24.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • TimeCredit Premium Family Yearly$44.991 Year
One-time2
  • TimeCredit Premium Solo Lifetime$69.99
  • TimeCredit Premium Family Lifetime$119.99

Questions

Is Parental Control App:PatLock free?
Parental Control App:PatLock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TimeCredit free?
TimeCredit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Parental Control App:PatLock or TimeCredit have ads?
Neither Parental Control App:PatLock nor TimeCredit shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Parental Control App:PatLock or TimeCredit?
Parental Control App:PatLock ships an update every 3 weeks, and TimeCredit every 3 days. Most recently, Parental Control App:PatLock was updated on October 24, 2026 and TimeCredit on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons