Comparison

Cala vs Twilock

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

Head to head
About

Cala

Read full description

You pick up your phone for "just a second" — and 45 minutes disappear. Cala stops that cycle with real app blocking and a ten-second breath that turns impulse into intention. When you open a blocked app, Cala holds a shield. You breathe, then choose how long you need — 5, 15, or 30 minutes. When time's up, the app locks itself again. You decided in advance, so the moment doesn't get a vote. WHAT CALA DOES • Blocks any app or website with Apple's Screen Time shields — real blocking, not reminders • No Shortcuts to wire up and no workarounds to maintain — grant Screen Time access once and you're protected • Protects on your schedule: work hours, evenings, overnight, or all day • A short breathing exercise before every unlock — a pause, not a punishment • Timed access that re-locks automatically when you're done • Three strictness levels — Standard, Strict, and Locked. As firm as you need. • Habits and tasks live inside your protected hours, so the shield offers a better option, not just a wall • A Focus Score that measures the time you protected and the wins you stacked — not your failures • A weekly review of your wins, ready every Monday AS FIRM AS YOU NEED Standard asks for a calm ten-second breath before each unlock. Strict makes each unlock cost a little more. Locked holds the line completely — with a once-a-day emergency pass, because life happens. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Cala never sees which apps you open or for how long. Apple's Screen Time design keeps that on your device, and we like it that way. FREE TO START One schedule, unlimited blocked apps, two habits, your Focus Score, and the full breathing unlock — free. Cala Pro adds unlimited schedules and habits, Strict and Locked levels, and your complete history. Your phone, your rules. Cala keeps them. Terms of Use: https://heycala.com/terms

About

Twilock

This app helps you reclaim your nights and mornings by blocking distracting apps during specific, customizable windows. Build streaks, earn badges, and track your reclaimed time privately. Connect with friends for accountability.

Highlights
  • Customizable app blocking windows
  • Streak building and rewards
  • Reclaimed time tracking
  • Friend accountability leaderboard
  • Private data handling
  • Optional Pro features
Read full description

You do not decide to scroll until 1 am. It just happens. Twilock shields the apps that pull you in during the two windows that cost you most: the hours right before sleep, and the ones right after waking. Pick the apps. Pick your window. Twilock handles the rest, so there is no willpower contest and no bargaining with yourself at 11 pm. Choose apps to shield and set Night and Morning windows of 15–120 minutes. Schedule the same times every day, separate weekdays and weekends, or custom days. Every enabled routine uses Strict Mode: routine settings are locked during active windows. Configure a timed early unlock before a window starts; choosing None disables that option. Revoking Screen Time access in iOS can end protection. Build streaks, earn badges and explore Insights. Optional Friends lets you connect by invite code and follow a shared leaderboard. New users need a monthly or annual subscription, or an eligible trial. Existing users retain permanent full access, and existing Lifetime purchases remain supported. Prices and trial eligibility appear before purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage subscriptions in your App Store account. Restore Purchases is available in the app. Selected app identities and raw Screen Time usage stay on your device. Optional account, progress and friend data can sync. Product analytics and purchase services support the app; tracking permission is optional. Read the privacy policy for details. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://twilock.com/privacy/

Screenshots

Cala4 screens
Twilock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Twilock at weekly against Cala's every 2 months. Twilock also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Cala sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Twilock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cala ships an update every 2 months, Twilock weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Cala versus Twilock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCalaTwilock
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.9 (26 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—26 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB70 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSpark Digital IncorporatedPrism Studios

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Cala

Subscriptions2
  • Cala Pro — Monthly7 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Cala Pro — Yearly7 Days trial$59.991 Year
3 purchases

Twilock

Subscriptions2
  • Twilock Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Twilock Pro Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Twilock Lifetime$79.99

Questions

Is Cala free?
Cala is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Twilock free?
Twilock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Cala or Twilock have ads?
Neither Cala nor Twilock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cala or Twilock?
Cala ships an update every 2 months, and Twilock weekly. Most recently, Cala was updated on October 14, 2026 and Twilock on October 23, 2026.

Other comparisons