Comparison

HandsOff vs NyanLock

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

Head to head
About

HandsOff

Read full description

Stop doomscrolling. Take back your attention. HandsOff helps you finally spend less time on your phone. Instead of relying on willpower, HandsOff makes you earn your screen time. Focus first. Scroll later. Put your phone face-down, earn coins while you stay focused, then use those coins only when you intentionally choose to unlock your favorite apps. Less scrolling. More living. ## WHY HANDSOFF? Unlike traditional app blockers, HandsOff doesn't simply lock your apps. It creates healthy friction. Every minute of focus becomes something valuable. Every unlock becomes a conscious decision instead of an impulse. That's how habits change. ## HOW IT WORKS Block the apps that steal your attention Instagram, TikTok, X, Reddit, YouTubeโ€”or any app you choose. Focus to earn coins Place your phone face-down or start a focus session manually. Every focused minute rewards you. Unlock intentionally Want Instagram for a few minutes? Spend the coins you've earned. Build lasting habits Complete daily goals, grow your streak, level up, unlock achievements, and reduce your screen time over time. ## FEATURES โ€ข Smart app blocking powered by Apple Screen Time โ€ข Automatic face-down focus detection โ€ข Custom schedules for work, study, bedtime, or weekends โ€ข Coin-based unlocking system โ€ข Daily goals that adapt to your progress โ€ข Streaks, XP, levels and achievements โ€ข Beautiful focus garden that grows with your consistency โ€ข Live Activities & Dynamic Island support โ€ข Mindful breathing before every unlock โ€ข Detailed focus statistics and progress tracking ## MONK MODE (PRO) Need absolute focus? Monk Mode is a true commitment. Once activated: โ€ข No early exit โ€ข No spending coins โ€ข No disabling protection โ€ข No uninstall workaround The only way out is to finish what you started. Perfect for exams, deep work, studying, reading, or your digital detox. ## YOUR PRIVACY COMES FIRST HandsOff uses Apple's Family Controls framework. Your selected apps, Screen Time information, and activity stay on your device. We never know what apps you use, what you do inside them, or collect your personal browsing data. ## HANDSOFF PRO Unlock powerful features including: โ€ข Monk Mode โ€ข Unlimited focus history โ€ข Future premium tools and improvements Subscriptions โ€ข Monthly โ€” $4.99 โ€ข Annual โ€” $29.99 (includes a 7-day free trial) โ€ข Lifetime โ€” $59.99 (one-time purchase) Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before renewal. You can manage or cancel them anytime in your Apple ID settings. Privacy Policy: https://tryhandsoff.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://tryhandsoff.com/terms

About

NyanLock

This app helps you reduce screen time by locking distracting apps. Unlock them by interacting with virtual cats through petting or watching short videos, making habit change enjoyable.

Highlights
  • Lock distracting apps
  • Unlock by petting or watching cats
  • Streak tracking for consecutive unlocks
  • Collect daily stamps
  • View 'Cat Time' chart
  • Pro features: AI stamps, family sharing
Features
Read full description

Turn screen time into cat time. NyanLock locks the apps you doomscroll and lets you unlock them by spending a moment with a cat. Because it's delightful instead of restrictive, it's a screen-time habit you'll actually keep. WHO IT'S FOR - You lose hours to social media and videos before you notice - You want to cut down on your phone, but willpower alone never lasts - You love cats and could use a little calm HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose the apps you want to limit and lock them 2. Open a locked app and a friendly block screen appears 3. To unlock, just "pet a cat" or "watch a cat video" TWO WAYS TO UNLOCK WITH A CAT - Pet to Unlock: stroke a real cat on camera through the screen. No cat at home? You can pet a cat video instead. - Watch to Unlock: simply enjoy adorable cat clips for a little while. BUILT TO KEEP YOU GOING - Unlock on consecutive days to grow your streak and earn milestone stamps - Collect a stamp on your calendar every day you unlock - See your "Cat Time" (time spent with cats) grow on a chart NYANLOCK PRO - Pet to Unlock - Keep and rewatch your clips and best shots forever - Original AI stamps created from your own cat - Family sharing for stamps and videos - Weekly reports A gentler relationship with your phone, starting todayโ€”together with a cat. --- - Locking apps requires permission for iOS Screen Time (Family Controls). - Pet-to-Unlock camera frames are processed on your device, and recordings are stored on-device only by default. - NyanLock Pro is an auto-renewing subscription. Monthly and yearly plans are available; see the in-app display for pricing. - Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel subscriptions in your account settings after purchase. Terms of Use (EULA): https://nyanlock.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://nyanlock.com/privacy

Screenshots

HandsOff4 screens
NyanLock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: HandsOff at 16.2 against NyanLock's 26.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. HandsOff sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and NyanLock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HandsOff ships an update weekly, NyanLock every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference ยท 7 level
HandsOff versus NyanLock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandsOffNyanLock
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviewsโ€”100.0% of reviews
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 4 days โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetizationโ€”Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.2 โ€” better26.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size16 MB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJUAN MANUEL GALLICCHIO ANTELOPixel Tokyo Inc.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

HandsOff

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Pro Annual7 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$49.99
2 purchases

NyanLock

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is HandsOff free?
HandsOff is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NyanLock free?
NyanLock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do HandsOff or NyanLock have ads?
Neither HandsOff nor NyanLock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HandsOff or NyanLock?
HandsOff ships an update weekly, and NyanLock every 4 days. Most recently, HandsOff was updated on October 11, 2026 and NyanLock on October 9, 2026.

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