# Barrier vs AppKeeper

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: AppKeeper at none against Barrier's 3. AppKeeper also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks). Barrier's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.6). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Barrier sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. AppKeeper asks for nothing beyond the download.

Barrier ships an update every 2 weeks, AppKeeper every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barrier | AppKeeper |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barrier-screen-time-blocker/id6756778740/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Size | 16 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Savelii Veprev](https://appshunter.io/developer/1689265930) | [功亮 张](https://appshunter.io/developer/1826484363) |

## What reviewers say

### Barrier

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barrier-screen-time-blocker/id6756778740)

This app helps you regain control over your phone usage by creating a physical barrier to accessing distracting applications. Instead of simply closing apps, it requires you to wait a set amount of time with your phone face down before granting temporary access, prompting reflection on your digital habits.

**Highlights:** Select apps to limit, Automatic app locking, Face-down phone wait for unlock, Temporary app access, Customizable wait times (5-60 seconds), Unlimited apps with paid version

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium for week | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium for month | $4.99 | per month |
| Premium Forever | $9.99 | one-time |


### AppKeeper

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/appkeeper-screen-time-control/id6806521687)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barrier free?

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

### Is AppKeeper free?

AppKeeper is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Barrier or AppKeeper have ads?

Neither Barrier nor AppKeeper shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Barrier or AppKeeper?

Barrier ships an update every 2 weeks, and AppKeeper every 4 days. Most recently, Barrier was updated on October 12, 2026 and AppKeeper on October 4, 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.*