ExerciseToUse vs HabitUnlock
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ExerciseToUse
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Exercise Lock is a focus assistance app that helps you build healthier phone habits through exercise-based unlocking. After you activate a subscription with a 7-day free trial, you can use the full experience: on each day you accumulate at least 10 minutes of walking, running, or cycling recorded in the Health app, the apps you selected will be unlocked automatically. Core Features: - Require selected apps to unlock only after you’ve exercised for at least 10 minutes - Use workout data from the Health app and unlock only after you reach at least 10 minutes of walking, running, or cycling - Automatically lift restrictions once your daily exercise goal is reached - Real-time lock status so you can always see whether you’ve met today’s exercise requirement - Reliable background operation, especially when used with Apple Watch or workout apps that write to Health Subscription Plans: - 7-day free trial (provided via App Store subscription) - Monthly: NT$60 / month - Yearly: NT$600 / year (best value) Your subscription gives you: - Full access to Exercise Lock, including the exercise-before-unlock mechanism - Additional theme colors (such as Light Blue and Light Green) - All future premium theme variations and visual customization features After the free trial ends, your subscription will automatically renew at the selected plan’s price unless canceled beforehand. You can manage or cancel your subscription at any time in iOS Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions. Exercise Lock is not just about limiting usage — it gently nudges you to exercise for at least 10 minutes a day and use your phone in a healthier, more mindful way. Subscription & Privacy - Exercise Lock uses an auto-renewable subscription with a 7-day free trial. After the trial, the subscription renews monthly or yearly according to your chosen plan. You can manage or cancel your subscription in Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions. - The app checks your workouts on-device only and never uploads your health data to any server. - Privacy Policy: https://github.com/bryantlin/exercise-to-use/wiki/EngPrivacy - Terms of Use (EULA): Apple Standard End User License Agreement (https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/).
HabitUnlock
This app turns screen time into a reward for physical activity. Block distracting apps and earn your access back by completing various exercises, building streaks, and achieving goals. It's designed for those who need structure and want to break unhealthy digital habits.
- Block distracting apps
- Earn screen time through exercise
- Track steps, push-ups, squats, and more
- HealthKit integration for automatic step tracking
- Deep Lock mode for maximum commitment
- Gamified streaks and achievements
- Widgets and Live Activities for progress tracking
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A free app blocker that unlocks with movement: block 1 app or category, then walk or do push-ups to open it. No account, no ads. FREE: block an app or category behind real movement · blocking schedules (up to 8) · streak tracking with a monthly freeze. No account, no ads. HOW IT WORKS • Choose which apps or categories to block • Pick how you will earn them back: Walking, Push-Ups, or Guided Breathing • Complete the activity to unlock your apps • Build streaks and earn achievements Unlike screen time apps that just block your phone and rely on willpower, HabitUnlock turns the problem into a game. Want to scroll? Earn it first. Every unlock starts with movement — and that small shift changes everything. THE THREE WAYS TO UNLOCK • Walking — step-based, counted automatically • Push-Ups — timer-based, with live progress • Guided Breathing — a short breathing exercise when movement is not an option Three activities you will finish beat a long menu you never open. SMART BLOCKING • Block specific apps or entire categories • Up to 8 blocking schedules for focus time • Deep Lock mode for maximum commitment — no one-tap ignore • Emergency override with limited weekly uses APPLE HEALTH • Reads your step count so Walking completes on its own • Step data is processed on your device • Optional — decline it and the other activities still work BUILT FOR BRAINS THAT NEED STRUCTURE Many people who struggle with phone habits find external structure easier than willpower — and that is what HabitUnlock provides. Instead of fighting the urge to scroll, channel it: your phone becomes a reward for movement, not a source of guilt. STREAKS & ACHIEVEMENTS • Daily streaks with fire animations • Achievement badges for milestones • Share cards to show your progress WIDGETS & LIVE ACTIVITIES • Home screen widgets show your progress • Live Activity during activities • Dynamic Island countdown WHO IT'S FOR • Doom scrollers who want to break the cycle • Students who need to focus during exam season • People with ADHD looking for structure and accountability • Professionals who want to reclaim productive hours • Parents who want to control their own screen time PRIVACY • No ads. Your data is never sold. • Usage analytics can be turned off any time in Settings • Step data read from Apple Health is processed on your device • No account required — ever FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: Is HabitUnlock free? A: Core features are free — block 1 app and set up to 3 daily habits. Upgrade to Pro for unlimited habits, unlimited blocked apps, and Deep Lock mode. Q: Which activities can I use? A: Walking, Push-Ups, and Guided Breathing. Q: Does it track my fitness data? A: HabitUnlock reads your step count from Apple Health so Walking can complete automatically. That step data is processed on your device. Q: Does it work without internet? A: Yes. Blocking, activity tracking, and unlocking work offline. Internet is only needed for subscription management. Replace mindless scrolling with movement. Build habits that stick. HABITUNLOCK PRO • Unlimited habits • Unlimited blocked apps • Deep Lock mode • Streak freezes to protect your progress • Priority support HabitUnlock Pro is an auto-renewing subscription with a 7-day free trial. The available plans and the current price in your currency are shown in the app before you confirm. Payment charged to your Apple ID at confirmation. Subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled 24 hours before the period ends. Manage in Settings > Apple ID. Privacy Policy: https://www.habbitunlock.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.habbitunlock.com/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
ExerciseToUse and HabitUnlock 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.
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. ExerciseToUse sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and HabitUnlock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
ExerciseToUse ships an update every 4 days, HabitUnlock every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ExerciseToUse | HabitUnlock |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.7 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 3 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days — better | Every 6 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 40 MB | 27 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tsung Hung Lin | Tyrian Horton |
In-app purchases
ExerciseToUse
- Exercise Lock7 Days trial$1.991 Month
- Exercise Lock7 Days trial$19.991 Year
HabitUnlock
- Weekly Premium7 Days trial$4.997 Days
- Monthly Premium7 Days trial$6.991 Month
- Annual Premium7 Days trial$39.991 Year
Questions
Is ExerciseToUse free?
Is HabitUnlock free?
Do ExerciseToUse or HabitUnlock have ads?
Which is updated more often, ExerciseToUse or HabitUnlock?
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