Merit. vs TapLock
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ with what reviewers say about each.
Merit.
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Show up. Apps unlock. Merit blocks distracting apps until you physically arrive at the places that matter โ the gym, library, office, or anywhere you commit to being. No timers, no willpower needed. Just show up. HOW IT WORKS โข Set a commitment: pick a location, choose which apps to block, and set your schedule โข When your commitment activates, selected apps are blocked โข Walk to your location โ Merit detects your arrival via GPS and unlocks your apps โข Build streaks by showing up consistently TWO BLOCKING MODES โข Block Until Arrival โ apps stay locked until you show up (perfect for getting yourself to the gym) โข Block While At Location โ apps lock only while you're there (perfect for staying focused at the library) ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS Invite a friend to join your commitment. See when they show up. Hold each other accountable. Because it's easier to skip when nobody's watching. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS โข Daily streaks and weekly progress โข See how often you show up to each location โข Monthly history and unlock records FREE TO START โข 1 commitment with up to 3 blocked apps โข Join shared commitments from friends โข Full streak and stats tracking MERIT PRO โข Unlimited commitments and locations โข Unlimited blocked apps โข Create shared commitments โข Custom themes, fonts, and app icons MERIT PRO PRICING Merit Pro is available as a monthly subscription ($6.99/month, introductory offer: $0.99 for the first month) or annual subscription ($49.99/year). A lifetime purchase is also available. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple ID account settings. Privacy Policy: https://usemerit.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://usemerit.app/terms
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
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Merit. at every 3 days against TapLock's every 10 days. TapLock's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.2). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Merit. sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and TapLock sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Merit. ships an update every 3 days, TapLock every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Merit. | TapLock |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days โ better | Every 10 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad โ better |
| Requires iOS | 26.2 | 17.0 โ better |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Merit Apps LLC | Sze Yuen HO |
In-app purchases
Merit.
- Merit Pro Monthly7 Days trial$6.991 Month
- Merit Pro Annual$49.991 Year
- Merit Pro Lifetime$149.99
TapLock
- TapLock Free TrialFree
- TapLock Lifetime$4.99









