Comparison

ticks vs OpenAd

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

OpenAd

This app helps you limit screen time by making distractions inconvenient. Gate specific apps or categories, and watch a short ad to unlock them temporarily. It's designed to create friction, encouraging deliberate choices and helping you regain focus.

Highlights
  • Gate apps, categories, or websites
  • Watch ads to unlock apps
  • Temporary unlocks (5 or 15 minutes)
  • Automatic re-locking
  • Tracks user resistance
  • Private by design, no account needed
Features
Read full description

Before you scroll, pay the toll. OpenAd is a free app blocker and screen time tool. Pick the apps that eat your day, and every time you open one, you watch an ad first. It's annoying. That's the point. 100% FREE. NO SUBSCRIPTION. EVER. The ads pay for OpenAd, so you never do. No paywall, no premium tier. HOW IT WORKS • Block any app, category or website • Open a blocked app and pick 5 or 15 minutes • Watch 1 ad for 5 minutes, or 2 ads for 15 • When time's up, the block comes back on its own • Change your mind? Back out, and it counts as a win STOP DOOMSCROLLING, AND SEE THE PROOF • Your screen time receipt: tolls paid, ads watched and urges resisted, for this week or all time. Share it in one tap • A Lock Screen countdown while your apps are unlocked • A Sunday recap of your week • A Home Screen widget with today's resisted urges MADE FOR • Cutting back on social media and doomscrolling • Staying focused while you study or work • A digital detox that doesn't depend on willpower GOOD TO KNOW • If an ad can't load, OpenAd offers a short timed wait instead. • You never have to tap an ad, install anything or buy anything. • Screen Time permission is required to block apps. Notifications and tracking are optional. • You can report an inappropriate ad in Settings. YOUR PRIVACY • The apps you block and your Screen Time activity stay on your iPhone. They're never sent to us or to advertisers. • Ads come from third-party ad partners. "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" is in Settings and on by default. • OpenAd collects basic usage analytics to improve the app. See the Privacy Policy for details. The world's most annoying app blocker. You're welcome.

Screenshots

ticks4 screens
OpenAd4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OpenAd at none against ticks's 2. OpenAd also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 weeks). ticks's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. OpenAd asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ticks ships an update every 3 weeks, OpenAd every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
ticks versus OpenAd: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterticksOpenAd
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 8 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Ad-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB17 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperMatteo ZappiaSeven Agent Studios LLC

In-app purchases

2 purchases

ticks

Subscriptions1
  • weekly3 Days trial$4.997 Days
One-time1
  • lifetime$24.99
None

OpenAd

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ticks free?
ticks is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OpenAd free?
OpenAd is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do ticks or OpenAd have ads?
OpenAd shows ads; ticks does not.
Which is updated more often, ticks or OpenAd?
ticks ships an update every 3 weeks, and OpenAd every 8 days. Most recently, ticks was updated on October 10, 2026 and OpenAd on October 7, 2026.

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