Comparison

ReadLock vs Block&Read

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

Block&Read

This app replaces distracting apps with reading material to help you achieve your daily page goals. It offers a built-in e-reader and blocks selected applications until you meet your reading targets, promoting focus and time management.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps
  • Read to meet page goals
  • Built-in e-reader
  • Public domain classics library
  • Import your own EPUBs
  • Reading insights
  • Strict mode for focus
Features
Read full description

Trade the scroll for a chapter. Block&Read locks the apps that eat your evenings and opens a book in their place. Reach your page count, and the lock lifts. A real e-reader and a real app blocker, in one app. No willpower required, just a page or two. HOW IT WORKS • Set your blocklist: social, video, news, whatever burns your day • Reach for one of them and a book opens instead • Read to your daily goal, and the lock lifts • Keep the streak alive and win your time back FREE • Block one app, forever free • Bring one of your own books • A shelf of public-domain classics in English and Spanish • Streaks, stats and daily reminders • Strict mode, no easy way out PREMIUM • Block unlimited apps • Import your own EPUBs and search 75,000+ classics • Blocking schedules and extra reader themes • Reading insights, see how you read • Private iCloud backup of your library • Monthly or yearly, or pay once with Lifetime Privacy is total. There is no account to create, nothing is measured, and nothing is sent anywhere. Your library and your reading stay on your device, or in your own private iCloud. Earn the scroll. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://dezeo.lat/blockandread/privacypolicy/

Screenshots

ReadLock4 screens
Block&Read4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Block&Read at 5.0 against ReadLock's 3.0. ReadLock's advantage is iOS requirement (17 vs 26.0). On price, ratings volume, 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. ReadLock sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days and Block&Read sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Block&Read holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ReadLock ships an update every 10 days, Block&Read every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
ReadLock versus Block&Read: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReadLockBlock&Read
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size68 MB37 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperAcha IgweNicolas Gula

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
2 purchases

Block&Read

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Weekly3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Premium Yearly$17.991 Year

Questions

Is ReadLock free?
ReadLock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Block&Read free?
Block&Read is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ReadLock or Block&Read?
Block&Read is rated higher. ReadLock averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Block&Read averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do ReadLock or Block&Read have ads?
Neither ReadLock nor Block&Read shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ReadLock or Block&Read?
ReadLock ships an update every 10 days, and Block&Read every 2 weeks. Most recently, ReadLock was updated on October 30, 2026 and Block&Read on October 31, 2026.

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