Comparison

ReadLock vs Habit Lock

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

Head to head
About

ReadLock

This app helps you reclaim your reading time by blocking distracting apps and websites during dedicated reading sessions. It uses AI to score your comprehension based on your notes, ensuring genuine engagement with your reading material. Track progress, manage your book library, and build a consistent reading habit.

Highlights
  • Distraction locking via Screen Time
  • AI comprehension scoring
  • AI summary suggestions
  • Book scanning and search
  • Works with any book format
  • Progress tracking
  • Habit building tools
Features
Read full description

The most successful people in the world read more than everyone else. Yet most of us can't finish a single book, not because we lack time, but because social media, doom-scrolling, and endless notifications keep pulling us away. ReadLock helps you take back your attention. Set a reading session, choose the apps and website categories that distract you most, and ReadLock locks them using Screen Time so your phone stops competing with your book. When your session ends, update your reading progress or notes, and ReadLock's AI scores your comprehension before your apps unlock. No skimming. No faking it. Just real reading. "Just one more scroll" becomes "just one more page." It works with any book format: paperback, hardcover, e-book, or PDF. No special reader required. Key Features * Distraction Locking (Screen Time): Lock selected apps and distracting website categories during your reading sessions. When a locked app is opened, the ReadLock shield screen appears. * AI Comprehension Scoring: After each session, write a short note on what you read. ReadLock's AI compares your notes against your pages and scores your focus and understanding before your apps unlock. You can't fake your way through. * AI Summary Suggestions: Not sure how to capture what you read? ReadLock's AI rewrites your notes into a cleaner, sharper summary — turning scattered thoughts into real understanding. * Book Scanning & Search: Add any book instantly by scanning the cover or searching the title. Your reading journey starts in seconds. * Works with Any Book Format: Track progress and take chapter notes for both physical and digital books. No special reader required. * Flexible Reading Sessions: Set reading windows for morning, afternoon, or evening and build a consistent daily routine. * Progress Tracking: Update pages read, mark chapters as completed, and watch your reading habit grow day by day. * Notes & Key Takeaways: Capture chapter notes and important lessons as you read. AI sharpens them after every session. * Book Library: Add books by scan or search, organize by category, and pick up right where you left off. * Habit Building: Streaks, session history, and gentle reminders to make reading stick as a long-term habit. How to Use ReadLock 1. Sign in with Google or Apple, or continue as a guest—your choice. 2. Add your current book by scanning the cover or searching the title. 3. Tap Locked Apps → Add, grant Screen Time permission, and select the apps, categories, or websites you want to block. 4. Tap Set Daily Reading Target and pick your reading window. 5. When your session is active, opening a locked app shows the ReadLock shield screen. 6. When the session ends, open ReadLock → open your book → add your notes → let AI score your comprehension → tap Save to confirm your reading and unlock your apps. Permissions Screen Time permission is required to enable app and website blocking. Without it, ReadLock will still run but cannot shield distractions. ReadLock uses analytics to improve app performance and user experience. Sign-In Options Google Sign-In, Sign in with Apple, and Guest mode. Ads & Subscriptions Free users may see interstitial ads at certain points. Premium subscribers enjoy an ad-free, fully unlocked experience via in-app subscription. Terms of Use (EULA) https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ https://readlock.us/agreements/terms/

About

Habit Lock

This app locks your phone until you complete a chosen habit, requiring a photo as proof of completion. It uses on-device AI for verification, ensuring privacy and encouraging consistent habit formation.

Highlights
  • Phone locking with AI photo verification
  • On-device AI for privacy
  • Flexible habit scheduling
  • Streak tracking
  • Customizable lock duration
  • Multiple habit support (Premium)
Features
Read full description

Goals first, screen time later. Habit Lock is the accountability app that locks your phone and won't let you back in until you take a photo as proof. HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose a habit (exercise, reading, healthy eating, prayer, family dinner, or custom) 2. Set your schedule - daily or weekly 3. When the time comes, your phone locks 4. Take a photo as proof 5. AI verifies the photo instantly 6. Phone unlocked. Streak extended. Keep going. BUILT FOR REAL HABITS • Exercise - gym, run, workout, or any physical activity • Reading - open book with visible text • Healthy Eating - your meal, verified by AI • Room Cleaning - your tidy room after cleaning • Prayer - Bible, Siddur, or any book of prayer • Family Dinner - photo of the after-dinner table, phone-free time enforced • Custom - define your own habit and what counts as proof WHY IT WORKS Most habit apps are easy to ignore. Habit Lock isn't. When your phone is locked and the only way out is to do the thing - you do the thing. PRIVACY FIRST All AI verification runs entirely on your device - no internet connection required. No accounts. No habit tracking. Your photos and habits stay private. FEATURES • App blocker with AI scene recognition (no facial recognition) • On-device AI verification — fully private, no internet required • Flexible scheduling • Streak tracking to keep momentum going • Activity history • Configurable lock window (15 minutes to 24 hours) • Multiple habits and multiple slots (Premium) terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ privacy policy: https://www.notion.so/Privacy-Policy-Habit-Lock-334bbd2d6f3e80f0ada7dd23943b6f2c

Screenshots

ReadLock4 screens
Habit Lock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Habit Lock at every 2 days against ReadLock's every 10 days. On price, rating, ratings volume 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. ReadLock sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days and Habit Lock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 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 — 5.0 for ReadLock against 5.0 for Habit Lock. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ReadLock ships an update every 10 days, Habit Lock every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on July 22, 2026 and July 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
ReadLock versus Habit Lock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReadLockHabit Lock
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS1717.0
Further details — not scored
Size68 MB207 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperAcha IgweRadoslaw Kotowski

In-app purchases

7 purchases

ReadLock

Subscriptions7
  • ReadLock Premium (weekly)3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • ReadLock Premium (Monthly)1 Month trial$5.991 Month
  • ReadLock Premium (Monthly)2 Months trial$9.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • ReadLock Premium (Yearly v2)$29.991 Year
  • ReadLock Premium (Yearly)$49.991 Year
  • ReadLock Premium (Yearly)3 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • ReadLock Premium (Yearly)3 Days trial$69.991 Year
3 purchases

Habit Lock

Subscriptions3
  • Habit Lock Premium$2.997 Days
  • Habit Lock Premium$7.991 Month
  • Habit Lock Premium$49.991 Year

Questions

Is ReadLock free?
ReadLock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Habit Lock free?
Habit Lock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ReadLock or Habit Lock?
ReadLock and Habit Lock are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do ReadLock or Habit Lock have ads?
Neither ReadLock nor Habit Lock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ReadLock or Habit Lock?
ReadLock ships an update every 10 days, and Habit Lock every 2 days. Most recently, ReadLock was updated on July 22, 2026 and Habit Lock on July 1, 2026.

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