ReadLock vs Screen time control
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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/
Screen time control
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Scroll less. Read more. You know the loop. You pick up your phone for one thing and look up forty minutes later, the thing undone. The feed is good at that. It's the only thing it's good at. Lummi blocks the apps that do this to you. Pick the ones you open without thinking, set a daily limit, and that's that - no "five more minutes" button to talk yourself into. When you reach for a blocked app anyway, Lummi doesn't just slam a wall down. It offers you the next page of whatever you're reading instead. Because there's a whole library inside. Real books, your own shelves, highlights and notes that stick around, a night mode that won't fry your eyes at 11pm. Thousands of titles. Start tonight with the classics. There's also a flame named Lummi who takes your screen time a little personally. Stay under your limit and it burns bright. Slip and it dims. It's a small thing, but a creature quietly rooting for you beats a red notification badge every time. And none of it phones home - your Screen Time data never leaves your device. We couldn't see it if we wanted to. If you own more unread books than read ones, this is for you. Enough scrolling. Start your first chapter. - Lummi requires a subscription to unlock app blocking, goals, and the full reader. • Payment is charged to your Apple Account at purchase confirmation. • Subscriptions auto-renew unless turned off at least 24 hours before the period ends; your account is charged within 24 hours prior to renewal. • Manage or cancel anytime in Apple Account settings. Privacy Policy: https://ilummi.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://ilummi.app/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Screen time control at every 3 days against ReadLock's every 10 days. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. ReadLock sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days and Screen time control sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
ReadLock ships an update every 10 days, Screen time control every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on July 22, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ReadLock | Screen time control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 17 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 68 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Acha Igwe | Antonio Sanchez |
In-app purchases
ReadLock
- 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
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- 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
Screen time control
- Lummi Pro (Weekly)$8.997 Days
- Lummi Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$49.991 Year









