# AppLockBox vs Cue

AppLockBox and Cue are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Both are free to download. AppLockBox sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per year and Cue sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

AppLockBox ships an update weekly, Cue every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AppLockBox | Cue |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[5.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cue-screen-time-control/id6772028559/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **6** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Size | 5 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [玉婷 崔](https://appshunter.io/developer/1833855726) | [鋆博 江](https://appshunter.io/developer/1780557469) |

## What reviewers say

### AppLockBox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/applockboxlock-and-hidden-apps/id6754552623)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Yearly Subscription | $0.99 | per year |
| Monthly Membership | $0.99 | per month |
| Quarterly Subscription | $0.99 | per 3 months |
| Lifetime Membership | $0.99 | one-time |
| flash sale | $0.99 | one-time |


### Cue

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cue-screen-time-control/id6772028559)

This app helps you use social media more mindfully by tracking your in-the-moment app session time. It offers daily app limits and locks, and prompts a search before opening apps to encourage intentional use. Widgets provide quick access to frequently used applications.

**Highlights:** Live Dynamic Island timer, Daily app limits and app lock, Search before opening apps, Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets, Supports popular social apps, Digital detox tool

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| lifetime purchase | $39.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AppLockBox free?

AppLockBox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Cue free?

Cue is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do AppLockBox or Cue have ads?

Neither AppLockBox nor Cue shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AppLockBox or Cue?

AppLockBox ships an update weekly, and Cue every 5 days. Most recently, AppLockBox was updated on September 9, 2026 and Cue on September 14, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*