Comparison

RoutineGate vs Swipe Fence

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

Head to head
About

RoutineGate

Features
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RoutineGate helps you create focused time using Screen Time by limiting selected apps, categories, and websites. If you keep opening things β€œjust for a second,” set simple time rules and stay on track. β–  What you can do β€’ Choose apps, categories, and websites to block β€’ See your current status and time remaining on the Home screen β–  Two ways to block β€’ Schedule Blocksβ†’Set days and start/end time to block during specific time windows. β€’ Timer Blocksβ†’Set a daily total limit (minutes) and block after you reach it. β–  Unlock & pause (behavior depends on the mode) β€’ Allow immediate unlock, unlock after a waiting time, or disallow unlock β€’ Pick the intensity that fits your routine. β–  Premium (auto-renewable subscription) β€’ Monthly / yearly plans β€’ Includes stronger focus modes and enhanced anti-bypass features (within iOS limitations). β€’ Pricing, billing, and free-trial availability follow what’s shown in the App Store and your settings. β€’ Manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. β–  Languages β€’ Japanese / English (switch in Settings; follows device language if not selected) β–  Important note β€’ 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

Swipe Fence

Features
Read full description

Swipe Fence puts a deliberate pause between you and distracting apps. Choose the apps you want to block. Before opening one, complete a mission you selected. Once the mission is complete, the app unlocks for the amount of time you configured. Build healthier habits around social media, videos, games, and any other apps that tend to pull you in. CHOOSE YOUR UNLOCK MISSIONS β€’ Squats β€’ Advanced math problems, including calculus, limits, real analysis, and complex analysis β€’ Random character entry β€’ Guided breathing β€’ Shake your iPhone β€’ Walking or stepping in place β€’ Arithmetic Customize the mission type, number of repetitions or questions, text length, difficulty, and more. SET RULES FOR EACH APP Configure different unlock missions, unlock durations, break times, and usage limits for each blocked app. Keep lighter rules for some apps and stronger boundaries for others. FOCUS WITH POMODORO SESSIONS Alternate between focused work and breaks. During focus sessions, Swipe Fence blocks your selected apps, with support for exclusions when needed. SEE YOUR PROGRESS Review unlock time, unlock attempts, times you decided not to continue, and trends for each app. Compare your habits by day, week, or month. MAKE LIMITS HARDER TO LOOSEN Require a random verification code before making settings less restrictive. This adds useful friction when you are tempted to weaken a rule in the moment. BLOCK DISTRACTIONS ON MAC Connect the Mac version of Swipe Fence to use your iPhone missions when unlocking selected Mac apps and websites. Keep the same boundaries across your phone and computer. Screen Time permission is required to restrict apps on iPhone. Mac features require the Swipe Fence Mac app and its initial setup.

Screenshots

RoutineGate4 screens
Swipe Fence4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Swipe Fence at none against RoutineGate's 2. On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. RoutineGate sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. Swipe Fence asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RoutineGate ships an update every 3 days, Swipe Fence every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 5 level
RoutineGate versus Swipe Fence: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRoutineGateSwipe Fence
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 daysEvery 2 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo β€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPad β€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size39 MB47 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSORACRAFTLABSANKAKU-TECH-LAB

In-app purchases

2 purchases

RoutineGate

Subscriptions2
  • Premium (Monthly)$8.991 Month
  • Premium (Yearly)7 Days trial$49.991 Year
None

Swipe Fence

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RoutineGate free?
RoutineGate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Swipe Fence free?
Swipe Fence is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do RoutineGate or Swipe Fence have ads?
Neither RoutineGate nor Swipe Fence shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RoutineGate or Swipe Fence?
RoutineGate ships an update every 3 days, and Swipe Fence every 2 days. Most recently, RoutineGate was updated on November 5, 2026 and Swipe Fence on October 29, 2026.

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