ticks vs MindGate
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ticks
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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
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
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.
ticks ships an update every 3 weeks, MindGate every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.
| Parameter | ticks | MindGate |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 16.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 36 MB | 29 MB |
| Age rating | +17 | 4+ |
| Developer | Matteo Zappia | Diu Vladimir |
In-app purchases
ticks
- weekly3 Days trial$4.997 Days
- lifetime$24.99
MindGate
- MindGate Premium Monthly$2.991 Month
- MindGate Premium Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year









