# OpenAlarm vs BarLock

The clearest difference is rating: BarLock at 4.3 against OpenAlarm's 2.9. OpenAlarm's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. BarLock sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. OpenAlarm asks for nothing beyond the download.

BarLock holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 8 respectively.

OpenAlarm ships an update every 8 days, BarLock every 4 days. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | OpenAlarm | BarLock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.9 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openalarm/id6759548698/reviews) | **[4.3 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barlock-barcode-alarm/id6772532044/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **12** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | — | 33.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 8 days | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 104 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | **26.0** | 26.1 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Daniel Gretzke](https://appshunter.io/developer/1879448130) | [CODE IN MOTION SRL](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896060625) |

## What reviewers say

### OpenAlarm

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openalarm/id6759548698)

This alarm clock offers multiple challenges to ensure you wake up, including math problems, memory games, or physical actions. It allows for a snooze budget and wake-up checks to prevent oversleeping. The app also supports nap timers with lock screen controls.

**Highlights:** Multiple disarm challenges (Math, Memory, Steps, Shake, Scan), Customizable snooze budget, Wake-up check feature, Repeating weekday/weekend alarms, Nap countdown timers, Lock screen and Dynamic Island controls

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### BarLock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barlock-barcode-alarm/id6772532044)

This alarm clock requires users to scan a unique barcode or QR code located away from their bed to turn it off. It's designed to prevent snoozing and ensure users get out of bed. Features include backup alerts and a lock window to prevent early cancellation.

**Highlights:** Scan barcode/QR code to stop alarm, No snooze functionality, Wake-Up Check feature, Backup alerts, Lock Window to prevent early cancellation, Tiptoe Mode for quiet disarming

**Features:** iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BarLock PRO Lifetime | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is OpenAlarm free?

OpenAlarm is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is BarLock free?

BarLock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, OpenAlarm or BarLock?

BarLock is rated higher. OpenAlarm averages 2.9 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while BarLock averages 4.3 from 8 ratings.

### Do OpenAlarm or BarLock have ads?

Neither OpenAlarm nor BarLock shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, OpenAlarm or BarLock?

OpenAlarm ships an update every 8 days, and BarLock every 4 days. Most recently, OpenAlarm was updated on November 5, 2026 and BarLock on November 5, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*