Comparison

StepTower vs StepGate

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

Head to head
About

StepTower

This app encourages physical activity by locking distracting applications behind a step-based unlocking system. Users place apps on different tower floors, with higher floors requiring more steps to access. Reaching daily step goals frees up all apps for the day.

Highlights
  • Lock distracting apps with steps
  • Place apps on tower floors
  • Unlock floors with 1,000 steps
  • Sync steps with Apple Health
  • Daily goal completion
  • 15-minute pause breaks
  • Home Screen widget
Read full description

Turn your steps into a tower. Every floor you reach unlocks the apps you placed there. Spending too much time on your phone? StepTower locks your most distracting apps behind real steps. Place each app on a floor of your tower. The higher the floor, the more steps it takes to unlock. Put casual apps on lower floors and your biggest distractions at the top. Every 1,000 steps unlocks the next floor and the apps on it. What you get: - Lock distracting apps until you walk - Place apps and categories on different tower floors - Unlock each floor with 1,000 steps - Unlock apps as soon as you reach their floor - Complete your daily goal to free everything for the day - Take a 15-minute pause when you need a quick break - Sync steps automatically with Apple Health - Build streaks - Add Home Screen widget for your tower and progress How it works: 1. Choose the apps you want to lock 2. Place them on StepTower floors 3. Walk 1,000 steps to reach the next floor 4. Apps unlock when their floor is reached 5. Reach the top to unlock everything for the rest of the day 6. Need a quick break? Use a 15-minute pause Built for privacy: No account needed. *All features described above require a subscription.* Terms of Service: https://steptower.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://steptower.app/privacy

About

StepGate

Features
Read full description

StepGate locks your distracting apps until you've walked enough steps for the day. You choose which apps to restrict — social media, games, streaming — and set your personal daily step goal. As you walk, you earn screen time. Hit your goal, and everything unlocks. HOW IT WORKS 1. Set your daily step goal 2. Choose which apps to lock 3. Walk to unlock — every 1,000 steps earns you more screen time 4. Reach your goal 3 times — then try Pro free for 14 days KEY FEATURES - Earn screen time with every step - Live Activity on Lock Screen — real-time steps and screen time - Streaks & achievements — build habits and unlock badges - Weekly Report Card — share your week on Instagram Stories - Heat-map calendar — see your progress at a glance - Home screen widget — your progress without opening the app - Weekend Mode — separate goals for weekdays and weekends - Graduated Unlock Tiers — unlock different apps at step milestones - Personalized onboarding — the app learns your habits SCIENCE-BACKED Walking 8,000–10,000 steps daily is linked to better sleep, lower stress, and improved focus. StepGate helps you build that habit — one step at a time. PRIVACY FIRST StepGate reads your step count from Apple Health. All data stays entirely on your device. Nothing is sent to any server. No account required. SUBSCRIPTION Full access to StepGate requires a subscription. The yearly plan includes a 14-day free trial — no card charged until day 14. Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in iPhone Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions. Terms of Use: samuelbrask.com/terms_stepgate.html Privacy Policy: samuelbrask.com/privacy_stepgate.html

Screenshots

StepTower4 screens
StepGate4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: StepGate at every 10 days against StepTower's every 3 weeks. StepTower's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.2). On price, ads, 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. StepTower sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and StepGate sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StepTower ships an update every 3 weeks, StepGate every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
StepTower versus StepGate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStepTowerStepGate
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (11 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings11 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndreas LosingSamuel Brask Marosi

In-app purchases

5 purchases

StepTower

Subscriptions5
  • Pro$4.997 Days
  • Pro$19.991 Year
  • Pro$24.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Pro3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Pro3 Days trial$49.991 Year
2 purchases

StepGate

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly$1.997 Days
  • Yearly14 Days trial$17.991 Year

Questions

Is StepTower free?
StepTower is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is StepGate free?
StepGate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do StepTower or StepGate have ads?
Neither StepTower nor StepGate shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StepTower or StepGate?
StepTower ships an update every 3 weeks, and StepGate every 10 days. Most recently, StepTower was updated on October 24, 2026 and StepGate on October 28, 2026.

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