Comparison

Anchor vs Anchor App Blocker

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

Head to head
About

Anchor

Features
Read full description

Anchor is a focus timer with a twist: it only works when your phone is face-down. Set your time, flip your phone onto a flat surface, and the timer starts automatically. Lift it early? Session broken. Stay committed until the timer ends, and you've earned your focus. WHY ANCHOR? โ€ข No willpower required โ€” flip and forget โ€ข No apps to block, no settings to configure โ€ข Visual proof: red for broken, green for complete โ€ข Session history calendar to track your progress HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose your focus duration (1-30 minutes free, up to 4 hours with Pro) 2. Place your phone face-down on any flat surface 3. The timer starts automatically when gravity detects the position 4. Stay focused. Your phone stays down. That's it. ANCHOR PRO (One-Time Purchase) โ€ข Unlock sessions up to 4 hours โ€ข Perfect for deep work, studying, or creative sessions โ€ข No subscription โ€” pay once, own forever The simplest way to put your phone down and actually focus.

About

Anchor App Blocker

Features
Read full description

Make focus automatic with reusable Focus Plans that block selected apps and websites through Apple's Screen Time controls. Start a Focus Run now or let a schedule protect the hours that matter. BUILD RULES THAT HOLD - Choose the apps, categories, and websites each Focus Plan protects. - Preview a plan before it starts and see whether enforcement is healthy. - Pick the right level of friction: Nudge, Friction, Challenge, Timed Lock, Hard Lock, or Combo Lock. - Resolve schedule conflicts and use safe recovery when Screen Time needs attention. - Review blocked attempts, turn-back rate, focused time, and recent patterns. - Check status from widgets and start eligible plans with Shortcuts. FREE - One Focus Plan. - Nudge, Friction, and Challenge enforcement. - One accountability partner. - Seven days of activity history. ANCHOR PRO - Unlimited Focus Plans and accountability partners. - Repeating schedules and automatic routines. - Timed Lock, Hard Lock, and Combo Lock. - Custom unlock challenges and 30-day patterns. PRIVACY AND CONTROL Anchor uses Apple's Family Controls, Managed Settings, and Device Activity frameworks. Your plan data and focus history stay on your device. Anchor cannot see the content inside blocked apps. Screen Time authorization is requested only when you set up protection. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled in your Apple ID settings. Restore an existing purchase from Settings > Restore Purchases. Features shown as Pro require an active Anchor entitlement; previously purchased lifetime access remains honored. Anchor is a focus aid, not a parental-control guarantee or emergency service. TERMS OF USE Product Terms of Use: https://www.uncommonweather.com/legal/apps/anchor-terms.html Apple Standard Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Anchor4 screens
Anchor App Blocker4 screens

Verdict

The call

Anchor and Anchor App Blocker are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters โ€” price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them โ€” neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Anchor sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Anchor App Blocker sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Anchor versus Anchor App Blocker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAnchorAnchor App Blocker
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyโ€”Every 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad โ€” better
Requires iOS17.0 โ€” better18.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size1 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYagฤฑz UGURVERENRyan Tinklepaugh

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Anchor

One-time1
  • Anchor Pro$4.99
3 purchases

Anchor App Blocker

Subscriptions2
  • Anchor Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Anchor Pro Yearly$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Anchor Pro Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is Anchor free?
Anchor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Anchor App Blocker free?
Anchor App Blocker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Anchor or Anchor App Blocker have ads?
Neither Anchor nor Anchor App Blocker shows ads.

Other comparisons