reason vs App Screen Time Lock
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ with what reviewers say about each.
reason
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Choose which apps are a problem for you and Reason will block them. When you want to use them, you'll have to enter a reason and set yourself a time limit. Often you'll just close these apps instead of entering a reason, but even if you don't, your open app will be blocked once your time limit runs out. If you're struggling with screen addiction, this app is for you. If you find yourself opening apps for no apparent reason, we're on the case. If you open messages from friends and then get stuck doomscrolling, we've got you covered. It's a small moment of friction, but by pausing and stating your reason for opening distracting apps, you'll find yourself spending less time glued to your phone. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula
App Screen Time Lock
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App Screen Time Lock helps you set clear daily boundaries for distracting apps. Choose the apps you want to control, give each one its own allowance, and the app applies a Screen Time shield after that allowance is used. Use it to: - Set separate daily limits for social, video, games, and other distracting apps - Enable Strict Lock to reduce impulsive changes after limits are active - Add a Guardian Code for an extra accountability step on sensitive changes - Set a local accountability partner name for shareable unlock requests - Share unlock request messages through the iOS share sheet when you need help deciding - Use limited Break Passes for short, intentional pauses without deleting your setup - Review and share a local event log for lock, pass, and settings changes - Keep useful apps available while only blocking the apps you selected The app uses Apple's Screen Time frameworks. Selected apps are handled as Apple-protected tokens, and your limit settings, Guardian Code data, accountability settings, break-pass state, and event logs are stored locally on your device.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: App Screen Time Lock at none against reason's 2. App Screen Time Lock also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 10 days) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. reason sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. App Screen Time Lock asks for nothing beyond the download.
reason ships an update every 10 days, App Screen Time Lock every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | reason | App Screen Time Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | Every 4 days โ better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No โ better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 16.0 โ better |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Thomas Woodruff | KRISHNA PINNAMANENI |
In-app purchases
reason
- Reason Premium3 Days trial$5.991 Month
- Reason Premium7 Days trial$39.991 Year
App Screen Time Lock
No in-app purchases








