Comparison

ticks vs MindGate

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

Head to head
About

ticks

Read full description

say goodbye to scattered bookmarks and endless open tabs, save, organize, and access your digital content effortlessly. ticks isn't just a "read later" tool — it's your secure offline browser for everything worth remembering. web links, notes, articles — all kept only on your device. no servers. no tracking. no compromises. truly private: • everything stays on your device • no data collection, ever one app. all your stuff: • save articles and links from any app (with full offline copies) • write notes and ideas • organize your digital life with custom groups • capture anything that matters — fast, thanks to share extension what makes ticks different: • 100% offline browser experience that prioritizes your privacy • zero-server architecture: your data never leaves your device • clean, clutter-free reading mode • smart search and seamless organization ticks share: share only what you want, how you want ticks share is a privacy-respecting sharing feature that lets you send ticks to friends and family — so they can import them directly into their own ticks. you choose what to include when sharing: • share just the title and link • or add a description, images, and personal notes — it's up to you everything is optional. for example, if a tick includes personal notes or comments you don't want to share, just leave them out. when shared, ticks are temporarily uploaded to a secure server with no link to your identity. they're deleted automatically: • after reaching the maximum number of views, or • when the expiry time runs out, or • if they don't reach the required number of imports within one week no permanent storage. no tracking. ticks share is the only time your data ever leaves your device — and only because you chose to share it. made for people who: • value privacy over promises • collect, research, and archive online content with their personal offline browser • want an elegant tool for digital journaling • are tired of "private" apps that aren't private transform your device into a powerful offline browser that works exactly how you want it to. save this, save that, tick it. your device. your data. your privacy. --- Terms Of Service: https://ticksapp.com/legal/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://ticksapp.com/legal/privacy-policy

About

MindGate

This app helps break phone addiction by introducing a brief cognitive challenge before accessing distracting apps. It encourages conscious decision-making, allowing users to reclaim their attention and use their devices intentionally.

Highlights
  • Cognitive challenges before app access
  • Customizable session timers
  • Automatic app re-locking
  • Progress tracking and trends
  • Supports blocking social media and other apps
  • Dopamine detox for habit change
Read full description

Most app blockers just say NO. MindGate makes you think first — and most people change their mind themselves. That's how you actually break the habit instead of fighting it. You open Instagram for "just a second." Forty minutes later you're still scrolling. It's not weakness — it's autopilot. MindGate puts one small moment of awareness between the impulse and the tap: before you enter, your brain has to wake up first. When dopamine stops being free, you stop scrolling on reflex — and start deciding on purpose. Nothing opens on autopilot. WORKS WITH THE APPS THAT HIJACK YOU Block Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, Snapchat, X — or any app you choose. HOW IT WORKS SOLVE A CHALLENGE TO UNLOCK Every time you reach for a blocked app, MindGate interrupts the autopilot with a quick brain challenge — a moment to choose consciously: • Math Problems — solve an equation before you scroll • Breathing Exercise — calm your nervous system, then decide • Stroop Test — forces your brain from autopilot into active mode • Typing — type a phrase to confirm you actually want to be here Most people close the app themselves. That's not failure — that's the whole point: you made a conscious choice. SET YOUR SESSION TIME You decide how long you need — 5, 10, 20 minutes or custom. The longer you ask for, the harder the challenge to unlock it, so the choice always stays deliberate. No surprises. AUTO RE-LOCK When time's up, MindGate locks the app automatically. No "just five more minutes." TRACK YOUR PROGRESS See how much time you reclaim each day — and how many times you chose to stop. Every app you close is a win, not just a blocked minute. Weekly and monthly trends show how your habits change over time. WHY MINDGATE • Adds a moment of awareness before every tap • Dopamine stops being free — so you use your phone on purpose • Break doomscrolling without relying on willpower • A dopamine detox that actually changes the habit • Use your phone as a tool, not a trap Take back your attention. One conscious choice at a time. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

ticks4 screens
MindGate4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: MindGate at 16.6 against ticks's 18.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. ticks sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and MindGate sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ticks ships an update every 3 weeks, MindGate every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
ticks versus MindGate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterticksMindGate
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.016.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB29 MB
Age rating+174+
DeveloperMatteo ZappiaDiu Vladimir

In-app purchases

2 purchases

ticks

Subscriptions1
  • weekly3 Days trial$4.997 Days
One-time1
  • lifetime$24.99
2 purchases

MindGate

Subscriptions2
  • MindGate Premium Monthly$2.991 Month
  • MindGate Premium Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year

Questions

Is ticks free?
ticks is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MindGate free?
MindGate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ticks or MindGate have ads?
Neither ticks nor MindGate shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ticks or MindGate?
ticks ships an update every 3 weeks, and MindGate every 2 weeks. Most recently, ticks was updated on October 30, 2026 and MindGate on October 30, 2026.

Other comparisons