Comparison

Blocus vs Screenguard

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

Head to head
About

Blocus

This app helps you break distraction habits and regain control of your time by blocking distracting apps and websites. It offers various enforcement modes, from gentle nudges to strict, irreversible blocks, and allows unlocking distractions only after completing specific tasks or challenges.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps and websites
  • Set daily limits and smart schedules
  • Extreme Mode for irreversible blocking
  • Unlock distractions via challenges or tasks
  • PIN Code Mode for external accountability
  • Integrates with system Screen Time
Read full description

Blocus – The Focus App That Actually Stops You From Cheating Blocus is a powerful focus and productivity app designed to help you break distraction habits and regain control of your time. Whether you need gentle nudges or absolute enforcement, Blocus adapts to your willpower — or replaces it when needed. Block distracting apps and websites using Blocklists or Allowlists, set daily limits, or automate focus with smart schedules. Blocus integrates seamlessly with Screen Time, ensuring reliable and system-level blocking you can trust. For moments when discipline isn't enough, Blocus offers strict enforcement modes: Extreme Mode A fully irreversible block. Once activated, it cannot be ended early — no tricks, no loopholes, no excuses. Challenges & Unlock Tasks Unlock distractions only after completing meaningful actions: • Steps or workout challenges • Push-ups, squats, planks • Pomodoro sessions • Sudoku or math challenges • Location-based unlocks PIN Code Mode A trusted friend receives a unique unlock code — so only someone else can free you. Perfect for real accountability. Advanced Control & Convenience • Smart schedules by time or day • Flexible or ultra-strict configurations Whether you're studying, working, training your focus, or fighting phone addiction — Blocus gives you the structure you need and the freedom you earn. Stop negotiating with distractions. Block them. Commit. Focus with Blocus. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.blocus-app.com/privacy

About

Screenguard

This app helps you manage screen time by earning it back through real-life tasks. Instead of just blocking apps, it allows you to complete activities like exercising or studying to unlock distracting apps for a limited duration.

Highlights
  • Earn screen time by completing real-life tasks
  • Spend earned time to unlock distracting apps
  • Set custom unlock durations for apps
  • Track weekly progress and daily averages
  • Identify top distracting apps
  • Integrates with Apple's Screen Time tools
Features
Read full description

Earn screen time to save 2h+ each day. Screenguard is a fun, simple way to limit screen time by earning it back through real-life tasks. Before you open a distracting app, Screenguard helps you pause, choose how much time you actually need, and stay in control. Instead of just blocking apps, Screenguard lets you earn screen time by completing simple tasks like moving your body, going outside, studying, reading, and building a better routine. Less endless scrolling. More time doing things that actually make you feel good. How it works: Pick the apps you want to guard, then earn coins by completing tasks in real life. Spend coins to unlock distracting apps for a limited amount of time. Screenguard keeps you aware with timers, limits, unlocks, and progress tracking so you always know where your time is going. That’s it. Complete a task. Earn coins. Unlock apps with intention. What makes Screenguard different: Most screen time apps only block you after you’ve already wasted time. Screenguard gives you a better trade: earn screen time by doing something good first. • Earn coins by completing real-life tasks • Spend coins to unlock distracting apps • Choose how long you want to unlock apps for • Limit screen time without quitting your phone completely • Build healthier routines around focus, sleep, movement, and mornings • Track weekly progress, streaks, daily averages, and pickup trends • See your top distractors ranked by time spent • Use Apple’s Screen Time tools to guard the apps that pull you in most Private & safe: Screenguard uses Apple's Screen Time API. All monitoring and blocking happen entirely on your device. Your app usage data never leaves your phone. * Subscription required to unlock app features. Terms of Service: https://screenguard.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://screenguard.app/privacy

Screenshots

Blocus4 screens
Screenguard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Screenguard at 86% against Blocus's 9%. Screenguard also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). Blocus's advantage is ratings volume (226 vs 25). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Blocus sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Screenguard sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Screenguard holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Blocus has 226 ratings behind it against 25, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 9% of Blocus's written reviews are positive against 86% of Screenguard's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Blocus ships an update every 3 days, Screenguard every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Blocus versus Screenguard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBlocusScreenguard
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (226 ratings)4.7 (25 ratings) — better
Positive reviews9.1% of reviews85.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings226 — better25
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 6 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size148 MB121 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDiyar DirikMagicbase Inc

Customer experience

Blocus

All ratings226 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral4.0%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive9.1%
Neutral18.2%
Negative72.7%

Screenguard

All ratings25 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Blocus

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly plan$9.991 Month
  • Yearly plan$29.991 Year
  • Yearly$39.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly plan7 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time6
  • Unlock$0.99
  • Unlock$3.99
  • Unlock$8.99
Show 3 more
  • Unlock$17.99
  • Unlock$44.99
  • Unlock$89.99
7 purchases

Screenguard

Subscriptions7
  • Premium$4.997 Days
  • Premium3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Premium7 Days trial$4.997 Days
Show 4 more
  • Premium3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Premium7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Premium$29.991 Year
  • Yearly (2-Week Free Trial)14 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Blocus free?
Blocus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Screenguard free?
Screenguard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Blocus or Screenguard?
Screenguard is rated higher. Blocus averages 4.5 out of 5 from 226 ratings, while Screenguard averages 4.7 from 25 ratings.
Do Blocus or Screenguard have ads?
Neither Blocus nor Screenguard shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Blocus or Screenguard?
Blocus ships an update every 3 days, and Screenguard every 6 days. Most recently, Blocus was updated on October 17, 2026 and Screenguard on October 2, 2026.

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