Comparison

bloc vs TapLock

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

Head to head
About

bloc

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Bloc blocks your distracting apps so you can focus on what matters. Start a focus session and Bloc shields the apps you choose at the OS level. No willpower needed โ€” the apps are simply unavailable until your session ends. Want to quit early? You'll have to earn it. Bloc's friction challenges make you shake your phone, type a commitment phrase, or scan your physical NFC tag before you can unlock. It's the barrier between you and your impulses. How it works: Pick the apps you want to block Set your focus duration (5 min to 4 hours) Tap to start โ€” your apps are instantly shielded Stay focused or complete a friction challenge to end early Features: Real OS-level app blocking (not just a timer or reminder) Friction challenges: Shake, Type, Sing, or go Upside Down to unlock early NFC tag support: Pair a physical tag to start/stop sessions by tapping Scheduled sessions: Automate daily focus blocks (e.g., every weekday 9-5) Live Activity: See your remaining time on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island Streak tracking: Build consistency with daily focus streaks Activity dashboard: Track your focus minutes, sessions, and weekly trends Beautiful dark-first design with multiple themes Bloc uses Apple's Screen Time APIs to block apps at the system level. You choose which apps to block โ€” Bloc never monitors your usage or shares your data. Your focus is yours. Bloc just helps you protect it.

About

TapLock

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TapLock turns a physical NFC card into the only key that unlocks your apps. Tap your card to lock your iPhone's distracting apps behind a Screen Time shield. To get them back, you have to physically tap the card again. The card has to be in your hand. There are no shortcuts. HOW IT WORKS Choose which apps to block, then tap "Lock Now" Apps stay blocked until you tap your registered NFC card to the top of your phone Need a break? Pause the session and it picks up right where you left off Set a timer to auto-unlock after a focus session ends WHAT CARDS WORK Any NFC card you already carry: transit cards, hotel keys, student IDs, office keycards, or cheap NFC stickers. If your iPhone can read it, TapLock can use it. FEATURES NFC card unlock, tap to lock, tap to unlock Timed locks with auto-unlock countdown Pause and resume a session without losing your remaining time Custom blocking profiles, block specific apps and websites or allow only a selected few Lock Now widget and Control Center button, lock in one tap without opening the app Siri and Shortcuts, start a lock by voice or build automations by time, place or Focus Multiple cards supported, each with its own name Block app deletion while locked so you can't cheat by uninstalling Session stats, see your total focus time and how long your last session ran Live Activity and Dynamic Island timer visible from your lock screen Your cards and settings sync across your devices via iCloud Remote Key, unlock a family iPad or second iPhone by tapping your card on your own iPhone Native iPad app with a landscape layout REMOTE KEY AND IPAD Lock a family iPad or a second iPhone, then open it by tapping your card on your own iPhone. Both devices just need the same Apple ID. iPads have no NFC reader, so they pair as a kept device and are always opened from your iPhone. EMERGENCY ACCESS A 6-digit PIN is available if you lose your card. It works, but it is deliberately slow, so you will want to keep your card nearby. TapLock does not replace your iPhone's lock screen. It uses Apple's Screen Time framework to shield apps while your phone stays accessible for calls and emergencies. Free 7-day trial. One-time purchase. No subscription, ever. Terms of Use: https://www.aimakecoolstuff.com/legal/taplock/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.aimakecoolstuff.com/legal/taplock/privacy

Screenshots

bloc4 screens
TapLock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: bloc at none against TapLock's 2. TapLock's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs monthly). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. TapLock sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. bloc asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

bloc ships an update monthly, TapLock every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 4 level
bloc versus TapLock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterblocTapLock
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 10 days โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo โ€” betterYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad โ€” better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size23 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYash VermaSze Yuen HO

In-app purchases

None

bloc

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

TapLock

One-time2
  • TapLock Free TrialFree
  • TapLock Lifetime$4.99

Questions

Is bloc free?
bloc is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TapLock free?
TapLock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do bloc or TapLock have ads?
Neither bloc nor TapLock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, bloc or TapLock?
bloc ships an update monthly, and TapLock every 10 days. Most recently, bloc was updated on October 25, 2026 and TapLock on October 15, 2026.

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