Comparison

Squat Lock vs PlankCat

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

Head to head
About

Squat Lock

This app locks your phone's most time-wasting apps until you complete real squats. It uses motion sensors to detect movement, offering a unique way to build consistency and reduce screen time. Features include ghost mode for increased difficulty during vulnerable hours and progress tracking.

Highlights
  • App blocking until squats are completed
  • Real squat detection via motion sensors
  • Ghost Mode for increased difficulty
  • Streaks and achievements for consistency
  • Progress tracking with stats and Apple Health sync
  • Privacy-focused on-device motion detection
Read full description

Your phone won't unlock until you move. Squat Lock blocks the apps you waste the most time on β€” and only unlocks them after you complete real squats. Place your phone on your thigh and squat. The app detects your movement using motion sensors. No camera. No video. Just you and gravity. HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose which apps to block (social media, games, etc.) 2. When you open a blocked app, a lock screen appears 3. Place your phone on your thigh and do your squats 4. Your apps unlock for 5–60 minutes It's simple friction that actually works. REAL SQUAT DETECTION Squat Lock uses your phone's accelerometer to detect genuine squat motion. It tracks your descent, depth, and ascent in real time with a visual fill animation β€” so you know exactly where you are in each rep. Anti-cheat measures prevent shaking or fake movements from counting. GHOST MODE Set "vulnerable hours" (like late-night scrolling) where the squat requirement increases 1.5x to 2.5x. Make it harder to mindlessly scroll when your willpower is lowest. STREAKS & ACHIEVEMENTS Build consistency with a daily streak system. Hit 7-day milestones and the app suggests leveling up your squat count. Earn 33 achievements across 4 categories β€” from your first squat to a 365-day streak. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS β€’ Daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly stats β€’ Squats completed, calories burned, unlock count β€’ Syncs with Apple Health β€’ Past 7 days visualized on your home screen PRIVACY FIRST All motion detection happens on your device. No camera access. No cloud uploads. No data leaves your phone. BUILT ON APPLE SCREEN TIME Uses Apple's official FamilyControls and Screen Time API β€” the same technology behind Screen Time parental controls. No workarounds, no jailbreak. YOUR SETTINGS, YOUR RULES β€’ 5–50 squats per unlock β€’ 5–60 minute unlock windows β€’ Choose specific apps or entire categories β€’ Ghost Mode for late-night protection β€’ Daily reminders and streak warnings IN ONE YEAR, YOU COULD β€’ Save hundreds of hours of screen time β€’ Complete thousands of squats effortlessly β€’ Build a genuinely healthier relationship with your phone Start with a 3-day free trial (yearly plan). Cancel anytime. β€’ Terms of Service: https://squatlockapp.com/terms.html β€’ Privacy Policy: https://squatlockapp.com/privacy.html Subscription Details: β€’ Squat Lock Pro Weekly: $9.99/week β€’ Squat Lock Pro Annual: $39.99/year (With 3 day free trial) β€’ Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase β€’ Subscription automatically renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period β€’ Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period β€’ You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your App Store account settings after purchase

About

PlankCat

Features
Read full description

Just 30 seconds. Plank Cat is a simple plank timer designed with no unnecessary features. Open the app. Press START. Hold a plank for 30 seconds. That’s it. Features: β€’ Start immediately after launch β€’ Simple one-screen design β€’ Track your daily activity with color β€’ See your progress at a glance Just 30 seconds a day. Start with today. PRO Upgrade to PRO to unlock Apple Watch support, reminders, detailed logs, progress charts, and more.

Screenshots

Squat Lock4 screens
PlankCat4 screens

Verdict

The call

Squat Lock and PlankCat are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters β€” price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them β€” neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Squat Lock sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and PlankCat sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Squat Lock ships an update weekly, PlankCat every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Squat Lock versus PlankCat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSquat LockPlankCat
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews0.0% of reviewsβ€”
Update frequencyWeekly β€” betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesβ€”
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, Apple Watch β€” better
Requires iOS17.617.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size8 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYusuke HatanoKentaro MATSUMOTO

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Squat Lock

Subscriptions4
  • Weekly 50% OFF Discount Offering$4.997 Days
  • Squat Lock Pro Weekly$9.997 Days
  • Annual 50% OFF Discount Offering3 Days trial$19.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Squat Lock Pro Annual3 Days trial$39.991 Year
1 purchases

PlankCat

One-time1
  • PlankCat PRO$2.99

Questions

Is Squat Lock free?
Squat Lock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PlankCat free?
PlankCat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Squat Lock or PlankCat have ads?
Neither Squat Lock nor PlankCat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Squat Lock or PlankCat?
Squat Lock ships an update weekly, and PlankCat every 2 weeks. Most recently, Squat Lock was updated on October 15, 2026 and PlankCat on October 7, 2026.

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