Comparison

Nudge vs LOCKR

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

Head to head
About

Nudge

This app helps you use your phone more intentionally by detecting distractions and gently guiding you back to your goals. It offers modes for setting time limits or using AI to understand your usage context, promoting better habits without outright blocking apps.

Highlights
  • AI-powered distraction detection
  • Intention Mode for mindful usage
  • Timer Mode for time limits
  • Context-aware AI understanding
  • Promotes better phone habits
  • Gentle nudges to stay on track
Features
Read full description

Nudge is a focus app that reclaims your wasted phone time. Instead of blocking distracting apps entirely, Nudge lets you use them exactly how you want to. Need Instagram, TikTok or YouTube for work? Post, reply to messages and check comments in the real apps. If you drift into Reels or Shorts, Nudge nudges you back. How it works: 1. Choose which apps you want Nudge to help you with 2. Tell Nudge how you want to use your apps (e.g., "No political content" or "Let me reply to Sarah's message" etc.) 3. Nudge detects if you get distracted and gently pulls you away from distraction 4. Use your phone exactly how you want and waste no time TWO MODES FOR DIFFERENT NEEDS Task Mode (Pro) AI detects when you're distracted from your stated goal. Get a gentle nudge to get back on track. No willpower required. Timer Mode (Free) Set time limits for each time you use an app. Simple, effective, no AI. WHY NUDGE IS DIFFERENT Other blockers limit screen time, which works for a few weeks until it’s too annoying and people give up. Nudge restricts phone use with nuance. • Not just a blocker (but also a blocker): you can still use your apps, just more mindfully • Intelligent waiting room designs: the more you use distracting apps, the bigger the friction to access • AI understands context: scrolling Instagram for a friend's post? That's allowed. Falling down a Reels rabbit hole? You'll get nudged. • Builds better habits: over time, you'll naturally become more intentional PERFECT FOR: • Never checking "just one thing" that turns into an hour • Stopping to use media that steals your focus • Those fed up with other basic app blocking solutions • Creators and anyone who uses social media for work • Anyone who wants to use their phone, not be used by it Timer Mode is completely free. --- Subscription Details: - Nudge Pro Weekly: $12.99/week - Nudge Pro Monthly: $19.99/month - Nudge Pro Annual: $99.99/year (7-day free trial for eligible users) Payment is charged to your Apple ID account. Subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage subscriptions in Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.notion.so/Nudge-Privacy-Policy-2ce4f09a055780899d14eb89f5486b50 Take back your attention. One nudge at a time.

About

LOCKR

This app helps you regain control of your time by blocking distracting applications. It uses a personalized AI coach that evaluates your reasons for accessing blocked apps and grants time-limited access based on your set strictness. Track your progress and reclaim your focus with insightful analytics.

Highlights
  • AI focus coach
  • Instant app and website blocking
  • Personalized blocking configuration
  • Screen time usage analytics
  • Daily check-ins
  • Goal setting and tracking
  • Focus and pause mode
Features
Read full description

Stop doomscrolling today and reclaim your time! LOCKR is a screen time control app blocker that uses a personalized AI focus coach. You select the apps you want to block and whenever you open one of those apps, LOCKR intercepts it. To get access to an app, you have to provide a reason for the access. The coach will evaluate your reason and, based on the strictness that you set, it will decide on an appropriate amount of time for your access. When the timer ends, it will lock you out of the app again. It works with your screen time data to adapt your coach's strictness, track your progress, and show you exactly how much time you've reclaimed relative to your goal. Here are all of the features you get: - Instant app and website blocking - A personalized focus coach you can configure - Insights into your screen time usage through analytics - Daily check-ins that tell your coach how you're doing - A way to set and track your screen time goals - A focus and pause mode for adaptive blocking PRIVATE & SAFE * All features above require a subscription Terms of Service: https://trylockr.com/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://trylockr.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

Nudge4 screens
LOCKR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Nudge at 93% against LOCKR's 18%. Nudge also leads on monetization model (freemium vs subscription) and ads (none vs shown). LOCKR's advantage is ratings volume (342 vs 52). On price, update cadence, 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. Nudge sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per 7 days and LOCKR sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Nudge holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LOCKR has 342 ratings behind it against 52, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 93% of Nudge's written reviews are positive against 18% of LOCKR's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nudge ships an update every 5 days, LOCKR every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Nudge versus LOCKR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNudgeLOCKR
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (52 ratings) — better4.6 (342 ratings)
Positive reviews92.9% of reviews — better18.2% of reviews
Number of ratings52342 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.616.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size113 MB188 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBERG LLCEthan Harbinger

Customer experience

Nudge

All ratings52 ratings
Positive96.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive92.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.1%

LOCKR

All ratings327 ratings
Positive90.2%
Neutral1.5%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews33 reviews
Positive18.2%
Neutral3.0%
Negative78.8%

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Nudge

Subscriptions4
  • Nudge Pro$12.997 Days
  • Nudge Pro3 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Nudge Pro - Welcome Offer7 Days trial$69.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Nudge Pro7 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time4
  • Top Up 4 Hours$7.99
  • Top Up 8 Hours$14.99
  • Top Up 16 Hours$28.99
Show 1 more
  • 30 Hours$52.99
8 purchases

LOCKR

Subscriptions7
  • LOCKR Unlimited (1 Week)$8.997 Days
  • LOCKR Unlimited (1 Month)$14.991 Month
  • LOCKR Unlimited (1 Month)3 Days trial$14.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • LOCKR Unlimited (1 Year Discount)$24.991 Year
  • LOCKR Unlimited (1st Year Discount)1 Year trial$29.991 Year
  • LOCKR Unlimited (1 Year)$29.991 Year
  • LOCKR Unlimited (1 Year)3 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • LOCKR Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is Nudge free?
Nudge is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LOCKR free?
LOCKR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Nudge or LOCKR?
Nudge is rated higher. Nudge averages 4.8 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while LOCKR averages 4.6 from 342 ratings.
Do Nudge or LOCKR have ads?
LOCKR shows ads; Nudge does not.
Which is updated more often, Nudge or LOCKR?
Nudge ships an update every 5 days, and LOCKR every 9 days. Most recently, Nudge was updated on October 30, 2026 and LOCKR on October 28, 2026.

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