Comparison

Core Time vs Smart Lock

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

Head to head
About

Core Time

This app provides a strict approach to blocking distracting applications and websites, helping users regain focus and manage screen time. It offers customizable lock durations and schedules, ensuring boundaries are enforced without negotiation.

Highlights
  • Strict app blocking
  • Customizable lock durations
  • Automatic scheduling
  • Cold turkey focus mode
  • Dopamine detox support
  • ADHD-friendly focus aid
  • One-tap recovery
Features
Read full description

Core Time is a strict app blocker and screen time app lock for people who need more than a gentle reminder. Block apps cold turkey, protect your focus, and stop losing hours to social media, dopamine loops, and phone addiction. If Screen Time limits are too easy to ignore, Core Time gives you a harder reset. Choose the apps and websites that pull you away from what matters, set your lock duration or schedule, and let Core Time enforce the boundary until time is up. ▶ STRICT APP BLOCKER Select distracting apps, set a timer, and tap Lock Now. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, Reddit, games, and other dopamine traps stay blocked while your lock is active. ▶ SCREEN TIME APP LOCK Use Core Time as a stronger screen time blocker when default limits are not enough. Create hard app limits for study, deep work, bedtime, weekends, or any moment when one more scroll can ruin your day. ▶ COLD TURKEY FOCUS No snooze. No soft warning. No willpower negotiation. Core Time is built for people who want a cold turkey app blocker that removes temptation instead of asking you to resist it. ▶ STUDY, EXAMS, AND DEEP WORK Start a lock before homework, exam prep, reading, writing, coding, or meetings. Keep your phone nearby without letting social media or games steal your focus. ▶ DOPAMINE DETOX AND DIGITAL DETOX Trying to break a scrolling habit? Use Core Time to block the apps that trigger quick dopamine hits and build a calmer digital routine. It is useful for a daily digital detox, a weekend reset, or a longer phone addiction recovery plan. ▶ AUTOMATIC SCHEDULES Set recurring locks for school hours, work blocks, family time, or sleep. Core Time can activate on your schedule so you do not need to decide again every day. ▶ ADHD-FRIENDLY FOCUS SUPPORT When impulse control is hard, a reminder is not enough. Core Time helps by removing the option to open the apps you already decided to avoid. ▶ NO WAY OUT DURING A LOCK During an active lock, selected apps and websites show a shield screen. Core Time uses Apple's Screen Time API and Family Controls framework so blocking runs on your device and stays private. ▶ ONE-TAP RECOVERY If something goes wrong, use Fix Now in Settings to reset Core Time to a clean state quickly. ▶ RECOMMENDED FOR • Students preparing for exams or homework • Professionals protecting deep work blocks • People with ADHD who need stronger focus boundaries • Anyone reducing phone addiction, doomscrolling, or social media overuse • Night owls who want to stop scrolling before bed • Parents who want a clear app blocking routine on their own device Core Time is not another reminder app. It is a strict app blocker, screen time blocker, app lock, focus timer, and digital detox tool for people who want their time back. Take back control of your phone. Download Core Time and start your next focus block today. ▶ USE CASES THAT MATCH REAL LIFE Use Core Time before a study session, during exam prep, while writing, when coding, during meetings, at the gym, or before sleep. If you keep opening the same apps without thinking, create a lock before the habit starts. ▶ WHY IT HELPS Core Time turns a vague intention into a real boundary. Instead of checking your phone, feeling guilty, and trying again tomorrow, you make one decision up front and let the app enforce it. ▶ BUILT FOR REPEAT ROUTINES The best results come from repeated locks: weekday work blocks, daily study sessions, lunch breaks without scrolling, and bedtime screen time limits. Start small, then make your focus routine automatic. ▶ SCREEN TIME CONTROL AND APP DETOX Use Core Time as screen time control when you need cold turkey blocking, app detox, a dopamine detox app, or a phone detox app. It works as a blocker for apps that interrupt study, deep work, sleep, and real life. Terms of Use (EULA): https://core-ground.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://core-ground.com/privacy

About

Smart Lock

Features
Read full description

하지 않을 것을 정하고, 집중할 시간을 만들어보세요. Smart Lock은 정해진 시간 동안 선택한 앱을 잠가 불필요한 스마트폰 사용을 줄이고, 집중이 필요한 시간을 지킬 수 있도록 도와주는 앱입니다. 원하는 앱을 선택해 바로 잠금을 시작하거나, 요일과 시간을 지정해 잠금이 자동으로 시작되도록 설정할 수 있어요. [앱 잠금 설정] 방해가 되는 앱을 선택하고 원하는 시간 동안 잠가보세요. [잠금 예약] 원하는 요일과 시간을 설정하면 정해진 일정에 맞춰 잠금이 자동으로 시작돼요. [기록 관리] 일별, 주별, 월별로 잠금 기록을 확인하고 얼마나 꾸준히 실천했는지 살펴볼 수 있어요. [패턴 분석] 쌓인 기록을 분석해 나의 잠금 패턴을 확인하고, 언제 집중이 잘되는지 알아볼 수 있어요. 공부할 때, 업무에 집중하고 싶을 때, 잠들기 전 스마트폰 사용을 줄이고 싶을 때. Smart Lock으로 나에게 필요한 시간에 온전히 집중해보세요.

Screenshots

Core Time4 screens
Smart Lock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Core Time at none against Smart Lock's shown. Core Time also leads on iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.2). On price, update cadence, 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. Core Time sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Smart Lock sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Core Time ships an update weekly, Smart Lock every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Core Time versus Smart Lock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCore TimeSmart Lock
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.0 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB20 MB
Age rating4+12+
Developercoreground상상스퀘어

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Core Time

Subscriptions3
  • Core Time Pro (Monthly)$6.991 Month
  • Core Time Pro (Annual)$24.991 Year
  • Core Time Pro (Annual)$49.991 Year
1 purchases

Smart Lock

One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$59.99

Questions

Is Core Time free?
Core Time is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Smart Lock free?
Smart Lock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Core Time or Smart Lock have ads?
Smart Lock shows ads; Core Time does not.
Which is updated more often, Core Time or Smart Lock?
Core Time ships an update weekly, and Smart Lock every 2 weeks. Most recently, Core Time was updated on November 5, 2026 and Smart Lock on November 10, 2026.

Other comparisons