Comparison

RoutineGate vs App Blocker

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

Head to head
About

RoutineGate

Features
Read full description

RoutineGate helps you create focused time using Screen Time by limiting selected apps, categories, and websites. If you keep opening things “just for a second,” set simple time rules and stay on track. ■ What you can do • Choose apps, categories, and websites to block • See your current status and time remaining on the Home screen ■ Two ways to block • Schedule Blocks→Set days and start/end time to block during specific time windows. • Timer Blocks→Set a daily total limit (minutes) and block after you reach it. ■ Unlock & pause (behavior depends on the mode) • Allow immediate unlock, unlock after a waiting time, or disallow unlock • Pick the intensity that fits your routine. ■ Premium (auto-renewable subscription) • Monthly / yearly plans • Includes stronger focus modes and enhanced anti-bypass features (within iOS limitations). • Pricing, billing, and free-trial availability follow what’s shown in the App Store and your settings. • Manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. ■ Languages • Japanese / English (switch in Settings; follows device language if not selected) ■ Important note • Blocking/unlocking behavior depends on iOS and Screen Time permission. Some features require permission to work. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Subscription Terms: https://sites.google.com/view/routinegate/terms Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/routinegate/privacy-policy Requires iOS / iPadOS 17 or later.

About

App Blocker

Features
Read full description

See what to do before you unlock. Block what you do not need after you unlock. App Blocker Schedule combines a Lock Screen plan with automatic app blocking by time of day. Divide your day into periods such as morning, commute, work, evening, and bedtime. For each period, choose what to show, which apps you want to use, and which apps or categories you want to restrict. When the time period changes, your app restrictions change with it. Block social media during work, video apps at night, or games during sleep. Build a healthier phone routine without relying on willpower every time. SEE YOUR PLAN ON THE LOCK SCREEN • View the current time period, its note, planned actions, recommended apps, and paused-app count • See your next calendar event before unlocking • Know what this part of the day is for before opening your phone • Receive a silent reminder before iOS ends the current Lock Screen display BLOCK APPS BY TIME OF DAY • Choose distracting apps or entire categories for each time period • Automatically switch restrictions when a period begins or ends • Notifications can still arrive, while restricted apps remain behind the Screen Time shield • Create different app limits for mornings, work, study, breaks, evenings, and sleep PLAN THE APPS YOU WANT TO USE • Add apps that support the purpose of each time period • Set a usage goal for each recommended app • See a checkmark when the usage goal is reached • Keep planned actions and behaviors you want to avoid in the same place ADJUST TODAY WITHOUT REBUILDING YOUR SCHEDULE • Shift all of today’s periods earlier or later when your day starts off schedule • Compare the usual time with today’s adjusted time • Show today’s calendar events without changing your repeating routine • Use different presets for selected days and dates FREE FEATURES • One routine preset • Up to four active time periods • Up to four recommended apps per period • Up to two restricted apps or categories per period • Lock Screen display • Today’s schedule adjustment • Calendar display • Manual file backup APP BLOCKER SCHEDULE PRO • Unlimited presets and time periods • Unlimited recommended and restricted items • Assign presets to selected calendar dates • Set a separate usage goal for each recommended app • Automatic iCloud backup Your saved data is not deleted if you return to Free. Extra Pro settings remain saved and become active again when Pro is restored. Screen Time and Calendar permissions are optional and requested only when needed. App Blocker Schedule has no ads, does not use location tracking, and does not use third-party advertising trackers. Privacy Policy: https://sudsy-potassium-8bd.notion.site/Screen-Schedule-App-Limits-Privacy-Policy-39cf723c135481cdbb09cd9e18d6cd9e Terms of Use: https://sudsy-potassium-8bd.notion.site/Screen-Schedule-App-Limits-Terms-of-Use-39cf723c135481e98102e6e320504d6f

Screenshots

RoutineGate4 screens
App Blocker4 screens

Verdict

The call

RoutineGate and App Blocker 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. RoutineGate sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and App Blocker sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RoutineGate ships an update every 3 days, App Blocker every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
RoutineGate versus App Blocker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRoutineGateApp Blocker
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSORACRAFTLABKW APP

In-app purchases

2 purchases

RoutineGate

Subscriptions2
  • Premium (Monthly)$8.991 Month
  • Premium (Yearly)7 Days trial$49.991 Year
3 purchases

App Blocker

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$59.99

Questions

Is RoutineGate free?
RoutineGate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is App Blocker free?
App Blocker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do RoutineGate or App Blocker have ads?
Neither RoutineGate nor App Blocker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RoutineGate or App Blocker?
RoutineGate ships an update every 3 days, and App Blocker every 2 days. Most recently, RoutineGate was updated on September 20, 2026 and App Blocker on September 9, 2026.

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