Comparison

DrillLock vs Math Shield

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

Head to head
About

DrillLock

This app requires users to solve a math problem before accessing distracting applications, helping to create focused study sessions. It offers scheduled blocking, usage limits, and temporary unlocks for essential apps. A pro subscription unlocks advanced features for serious learners.

Highlights
  • Math challenge to unlock apps
  • Scheduled app blocking
  • Usage limit blocking
  • Temporary unlocks
  • Essential app exceptions
  • Multiple rule support (Pro)
Read full description

Your study hours and your sleep are too important to leave to willpower. DrillLock locks the apps that eat them, and nothing opens again until you solve a math problem. You choose the apps that pull you away, and the hours they stay shut. Reach for one anyway and the math is waiting. Your hand stops, and the moment passes. IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE YOU • You sit down to study, open one app for a second, and the next hour is gone • You get into bed on time and you're still awake at 1 a.m., scrolling • You have a deadline this week and keep drifting away from the work • You're studying for an exam, a license, or a degree while working full time • You've tried Screen Time and found it far too easy to tap right past WHAT YOU CAN DO Everyone starts with the same rule set: one lock — Instant or Schedule — the math challenge, and three ten-minute unlocks a day. • Start focusing right now (Instant) Choose 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or an hour, and the noisy apps are out of reach for exactly that long. Made for the moment you finally sit down. • Decide once when the phone goes down (Schedule) Set the days and the time windows a single time. Your study block and your bedtime then hold on their own, so you're not renegotiating with yourself at midnight. • One question stands between you and the app (Math Challenge) Nothing opens until you solve a math problem and get it right. It's a small enough step to clear when you truly need the app, and just enough friction that most of the time you set the phone down instead. • Ten minutes, three times a day (Temporary Unlock) Get the challenge right and the app opens for ten minutes, then re-locks itself — no timer to watch, and one tap ends it early when you're done sooner. You get three a day. Once you've used the third one, the challenge stops appearing until tomorrow, and the lock simply holds. GOOD TO KNOW • DrillLock needs Screen Time permission to lock and release apps • Phone and other essential apps are never locked, so you can always reach help in an emergency • Locking runs on Apple's Screen Time system, so iOS decides part of how a blocked app looks and behaves • Every locking decision is made on your iPhone. DrillLock does not send your browsing history or the names of the apps you restrict. DrillLock collects anonymous usage data to improve the app. PRO: WRITE THE RULES YOURSELF • Run several locks at once, so your study block, your work hours, and your bedtime each get their own • Allowlist mode: shut everything except the handful of apps you name • Lock by usage instead of by the clock (Time Limit): give an app a daily allowance, and the moment you pass it, it closes for the rest of the day • Design the temporary unlock yourself: one to ten a day, at five, ten, twenty, or thirty minutes each • Hard challenges, with your own choice of digit count and number of questions Loosening a rule — more unlocks, longer ones, easier math — takes effect at midnight, never in the moment you want it. Tightening one takes effect right away. PRO is about setting your own terms in advance, not about getting out of them later. PRO is an auto-renewing subscription, monthly or yearly. You can cancel anytime in your Apple Account settings. Deciding once is easier than deciding fifty times a day. Set the rule tonight, and take back the hours that were quietly going missing. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Math Shield

Features
Read full description

Stay Focused with Math Shield Math Shield helps you reduce distractions and build better focus habits by placing a math challenge between you and your most distracting apps. Instead of mindlessly opening social media, games, or other time-wasting apps, you'll need to solve a math problem before gaining temporary access. This simple barrier helps break automatic habits and encourages intentional screen time. Key Features Block Distracting Apps: Choose the apps you want to limit and keep them locked during focus sessions. Unlock with Math Challenges: Solve math problems before accessing blocked apps. Temporary App Access: Gain limited access after successfully completing a challenge. Stay Productive: Create friction between impulses and distractions to help maintain focus. Easy Setup: Select apps, choose your preferences, and let Math Shield help you stay on track. Perfect For - Students who want to focus on studying - Professionals who need distraction-free work sessions - Anyone looking to reduce screen time - People building healthier digital habits Whether you're studying, working, reading, or spending time with family, Math Shield helps you take control of your attention—one challenge at a time. Download Math Shield and make every app unlock a conscious decision. To enjoy the full experience and to gain all the premium features, you can always purchase our Monthly, Yearly or Lifetime premium subscription pack. Math Shield will automatically charge your iTunes Account at the end of your subscription unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of your current period. Subscriptions renew at the original price. You can turn off auto-renew at any time and still receive full functionality until the end of your current period, but no refund can be provided for unused portions of the subscription. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. All your previous purchases can be easily restored using the **Restore Purchase** option in the app. This will provide you access to all the premium features. You can view Math Shield Terms of Use & Privacy Policy. Terms of Use (EULA):  https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://github.com/vinothvino42/app-privacy-policy/blob/main/math-shield.md

Screenshots

DrillLock4 screens
Math Shield4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Math Shield at every 2 days against DrillLock's every 5 days. DrillLock's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). 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. DrillLock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Math Shield sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DrillLock ships an update every 5 days, Math Shield every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
DrillLock versus Math Shield: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDrillLockMath Shield
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFRONTLINE LLCVinoth Ramajeyam

In-app purchases

2 purchases

DrillLock

Subscriptions2
  • DrillLock PRO Monthly3 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • DrillLock PRO Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
3 purchases

Math Shield

Subscriptions2
  • Math Shield Pro Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Math Shield Pro Yearly3 Days trial$12.991 Year
One-time1
  • Math Shield Pro - Lifetime$19.99

Questions

Is DrillLock free?
DrillLock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Math Shield free?
Math Shield is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do DrillLock or Math Shield have ads?
Neither DrillLock nor Math Shield shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DrillLock or Math Shield?
DrillLock ships an update every 5 days, and Math Shield every 2 days. Most recently, DrillLock was updated on October 13, 2026 and Math Shield on October 7, 2026.

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