Comparison

Arc vs LockIn

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

Head to head
About

Arc

This app helps you regain control of your screen time by setting session limits and providing smart nudges for your to-do lists. It offers advanced analytics to understand your scrolling habits and offers AI-powered recommendations for improvement.

Highlights
  • Session limits for automatic breaks
  • Smart nudges for to-do reminders
  • Integrated to-do lists
  • Advanced session analytics
  • AI-powered recommendations
  • Bedtime mode with sleep reminders
Features
Read full description

THE ARC DIFFERENCE Arc doesn't just block apps - it redirects your attention with a powerful three-part system: - Session Limits: Automatic breaks when a session has reached the set limit. No more unintentional doomscroll sessions. Daily limits are not helpful when the problem is getting sucked into the scroll hole and not realizing it. That's why we built session limits! - Smart Nudges: Gentle reminders about your to-dos while you scroll - Integrated To-Do Lists: Track what really matters, all in one place - Advanced Analytics: Track every session with precision. See exactly when you close apps yourself (exits) vs. when the timer saves you (lockouts). Discover your most addicting apps through unblock tracking, identify your best and worst self-control patterns, and get AI-powered recommendations tailored to YOUR behavior. No more guessing where to improve, the data shows you exactly which apps need stricter limits, where you're building great habits, and actionable steps to reduce your screen time based on real patterns, not generic advice or behavior patterns. HOW IT WORKS Select your distracting apps (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, etc.) Add your daily tasks and goals Get Nudged with your to-do tasks when you're mindlessly scrolling Session Limits create automatic breaks after extended sessions Watch scrolling turn into productivity BUILT FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE Set your bedtime to switch from productivity Nudges to Sleep Reminders. Arc adapts to help you make better use of your time all day long. PERFECT FOR: People who unconsciously doomscroll and want to stop Professionals who lose focus to social media Students procrastinating on assignments Anyone who wants to build healthy daily habits Scroll Goblins People tired of feeling guilty after doomscrolling START SEEING RESULTS Reclaim hours of your day Complete the tasks you've been avoiding Track scrolling habits through intelligent insights Build habits that stick Rebuild a healthy relationship with social media Feel accomplished, not guilty Download Arc and turn scrolling into productivity. Your goals are waiting. Terms of Use (EULA): https://arcapp.io/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://arcapp.io/privacy-policy

About

LockIn

This app helps high-achievers regain control of their day by blocking distracting apps and websites. It uses AI-assisted planning and unique verification methods like photo proof and AI fitness tracking to ensure task completion and habit formation.

Highlights
  • AI-assisted scheduling
  • Hard app and website blocking
  • ML-powered fitness verification
  • Photo proof verification
  • 21-day habit architect
  • Integration with Apple Health
Features
Read full description

Your phone is stealing your day. LockIn helps you take it back. Open Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube and one quick check turns into a lost hour. LockIn blocks the apps that distract you - and makes you earn your screen time back with real actions. HOW IT WORKS Block your worst apps. Set a daily limit for each one. When you want screen time, you earn it. Do something real, get coins, then spend coins to unlock your apps for a while. EARN YOUR MINUTES Move your body. LockIn counts your reps in real time with your camera, so you can't fake it. Pushups, squats, pull-ups, planks, jumping jacks, lunges, crunches, shoulder press, leg raises, high knees, wall sits, and side planks. Prove your habits. Snap a photo to show you touched grass, read a book, cleaned your room, or got outside. SET HARD LIMITS Give each app a daily limit it can't go over. Add an app to your block list and earn coins. Want to take one off? That costs you. It's built to keep you honest. STAY ON A STREAK Show up every day, keep your streak alive, and collect bonus coins. Focus becomes a game you actually want to win. MADE FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT MORE The student beating the TikTok trap during finals. The founder who needs real focus. The athlete turning screen time into a workout. Anyone who wants to end the day proud, not guilty. YOUR PRIVACY STAYS YOURS LockIn uses Apple's official Screen Time API and works right on your phone. Your photos, camera, and data never leave your device. Stop scrolling. Start living. LockIn today. Free to start. Upgrade anytime for full access. Questions? lockin@fibipals.com Terms: https://lockin.fibipals.com/terms-of-service Privacy: https://lockin.fibipals.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Arc4 screens
LockIn4 screens

Verdict

The call

Arc and LockIn both sit at 4.4 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of LockIn's written reviews are positive against 64% of Arc's. LockIn also leads on monetization model (free vs freemium). Arc's advantage is ratings volume (25 vs 2). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. Arc sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days and LockIn sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Arc against 4.5 for LockIn. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Arc has 25 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of Arc's written reviews are positive against 100% of LockIn's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Arc ships an update every 2 weeks, LockIn monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Arc versus LockIn: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArcLockIn
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (25 ratings)4.5 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.6% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings25 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperArc Labs LLC (MT)Tymofii Hrynchuk

Customer experience

Arc

All ratings25 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative12.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive63.6%
Neutral9.1%
Negative27.3%

LockIn

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Arc

Subscriptions3
  • Arc Pro (Weekly)$5.997 Days
  • Arc Pro Monthly$8.991 Month
  • Arc Pro (Annual)3 Days trial$49.991 Year
3 purchases

LockIn

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Subscription$3.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription LockIn3 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription LockIn$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Arc free?
Arc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LockIn free?
LockIn is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Arc or LockIn?
LockIn is rated higher. Arc averages 4.4 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while LockIn averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.
Do Arc or LockIn have ads?
Neither Arc nor LockIn shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Arc or LockIn?
Arc ships an update every 2 weeks, and LockIn monthly. Most recently, Arc was updated on September 23, 2026 and LockIn on September 19, 2026.

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