Comparison

Screen Time Control vs Cat Lock

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

Head to head
About

Screen Time Control

This app helps you reduce screen time by requiring a photo of your pet to access distracting apps. It uses image recognition to verify your pet and tracks your progress in reclaiming lost hours. Multiple modes are available for focused work or social accountability.

Highlights
  • Pet photo verification for app access
  • Block any distracting app
  • Screen time tracking and stats
  • Streak tracking for habit building
  • Multiple CatKey support
  • Loop, Focus, and Contract modes
Features
Read full description

CatNap puts your cat (or dog) in charge of your distracting apps. Pick the apps that eat your day, turn on CatNap mode, and they stay blocked until you get up, find your pet and scan them. That's the Cat Tax. HOW IT WORKS 1. Create a CatKey: a few photos of your pet, so CatNap knows who they are. 2. Choose the apps to block with Apple's Screen Time. 3. Start CatNap mode. When you want in, scan your pet: CatNap's AI checks the photo against your CatKey, so only your pet opens your apps. CATNAP MODES Loop: your apps stay blocked, each scan opens them for the stretch of time you pick, then they lock again. Focus: block your apps for one session. Contracts: start a session with friends as witnesses. End it early and they get a notification. EMERGENCY SKIPS Can't find your cat? Every month comes with a few Emergency Skips, and sharing CatNap can earn a bonus one. Every skip goes in your Cat Journal. PET ALARM Set an alarm that only stops when you scan your pet. Getting out of bed to find them is the point. SCHEDULES Block apps on a schedule, or start from a preset. CAT JOURNAL AND STATS Every scan and session is saved, with your screen-time totals and your streaks. FRIENDS Add friends by username and see where you land on the weekly leaderboard. Works with cats and dogs. Optional NFC tags can stand in for a scan. CatNap requires a subscription or purchase to use premium features, plans detailed below: PREMIUM PLANS ($2.99/week, $9.99/month, $39.99/year, $24.99/year discount): - More blocked apps - More CatNap sessions a day - More pets - More alarms - Your full Cat Journal The $2.99/week plan and the $39.99/year plan each start with a 3-day free trial. By downloading this app, you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy: Terms: apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula Privacy: trycatnap.com/privacy Support: format.partners/support Contact: hello@format.partners CatNap uses Apple's Screen Time to block apps and AI image recognition to check pet scans, which can make mistakes. It is made for managing your own screen time and is not a parental control app.

About

Cat Lock

Read full description

Cat Lock blocks your most distracting apps after you've used them too long. When time's up, your cat takes over the screen — and won't leave until you take a real break. HOW IT WORKS • Choose which apps to block — Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, Reddit, Discord, even games and shopping apps • Set your usage limit — 5 minutes to 2 hours • Use your apps normally until your time is up • When time's up, your cat takes over the screen • Watch a real cat video for 5 minutes • Apps unlock. Clock resets. Repeat. NOT ANOTHER BORING BLOCKER Most screen time apps either lock your apps all day or add an annoying delay to every single open. Cat Lock lets you actually use your apps — with real breaks built in. Instead of guilt, you get a cat. Usage-based, not punishment-based. WHAT MAKES CAT LOCK DIFFERENT • Usage-based blocking — time only counts while you're actually in the app • Real cat videos during every break — a different cat every time • New cats added all the time — the break never gets old • See your progress at a glance — track distractions blocked, streaks, and time reclaimed. • Per-app or combined limits — track each app separately or share one pool • Blocks apps AND websites — no Safari bypass • Works silently in the background — no willpower required THE CAT LOCK EXPERIENCE Your cat notices patterns. It counts every attempt your most tempting app makes. It shows you what you got back — not minutes, but movies, walks, and books. No screen time app has done it like this. And when you win the day, it tells you: "The apps tried. You won." PERFECT FOR • Doomscrollers who can't stop once they start • Anyone who opens an app for five minutes and looks up an hour later • Anyone whose willpower needs a gatekeeper • Cat people. Obviously. "Less doomscrolling. More life." Cat Lock requires a subscription to access all features. Terms of Service: https://www.catlock.io/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.catlock.io/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Screen Time Control4 screens
Cat Lock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Cat Lock at every 2 days against Screen Time Control's fortnightly. 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Screen Time Control sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Cat Lock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Screen Time Control ships an update fortnightly, Cat Lock every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Screen Time Control versus Cat Lock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreen Time ControlCat Lock
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (18 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings18 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.617.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size63 MB168 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFormat Partners LLCChelsKat LLC

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Screen Time Control

Subscriptions4
  • CatNap - Premium Weekly3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • CatNap - Premium Monthly$9.991 Month
  • CatNap - Premium Annual Coupon$24.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • CatNap - Premium Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year
2 purchases

Cat Lock

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly$2.997 Days
  • Cat Lock Pro Yearly$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Screen Time Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cat Lock free?
Cat Lock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Screen Time Control or Cat Lock have ads?
Neither Screen Time Control nor Cat Lock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Screen Time Control or Cat Lock?
Screen Time Control ships an update fortnightly, and Cat Lock every 2 days. Most recently, Screen Time Control was updated on October 30, 2026 and Cat Lock on October 31, 2026.

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