Comparison

CalcGate | App Lock with Math vs Math Shield

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

Head to head
About

CalcGate | App Lock with Math

Features
Read full description

CalcGate is a screen time control app designed for people who want to break the habit of opening distracting apps without thinking. Have you ever opened social media “just for a minute,” only to lose track of time? Do you find yourself checking your phone when you should be studying, working, or focusing? Do app limits feel too easy to ignore or turn off? CalcGate adds a simple but effective moment of friction before you can reopen restricted apps. Choose the apps or app categories you want to limit, start a lock, and CalcGate will require you to solve math challenges before access can be restored early. Unlike blockers that can be dismissed instantly, CalcGate is designed to make you pause and ask yourself: “Do I really want to open this app right now?” To unlock early, every math problem must be answered correctly. If you make a mistake, your progress resets and the challenge starts again from the beginning. This small hurdle helps interrupt automatic habits like repeatedly opening social media, video apps, games, or other distractions without thinking. CalcGate is useful for study sessions, deep work, productivity, reading, reducing late-night scrolling, managing screen time, and building healthier digital routines. Key features: ・Restrict selected apps or app categories ・Start instant locks anytime ・Create recurring daily lock schedules ・Unlock early by solving math challenges ・Customize challenge difficulty and question count ・Reset progress after incorrect answers CalcGate is not about completely avoiding your phone. It is about using your phone more intentionally. Whether you want to improve focus, study without distractions, reduce social media overuse, build better habits, or create a healthier relationship with your device, CalcGate helps you pause before you tap. Start using CalcGate today and build the habit of thinking before unlocking.

About

Math Shield

Features
Read full description

Stay Focused with Math Shield Math Shield helps you reduce distractions and build better focus habits by placing a math challenge between you and your most distracting apps. Instead of mindlessly opening social media, games, or other time-wasting apps, you'll need to solve a math problem before gaining temporary access. This simple barrier helps break automatic habits and encourages intentional screen time. Key Features Block Distracting Apps: Choose the apps you want to limit and keep them locked during focus sessions. Unlock with Math Challenges: Solve math problems before accessing blocked apps. Temporary App Access: Gain limited access after successfully completing a challenge. Stay Productive: Create friction between impulses and distractions to help maintain focus. Easy Setup: Select apps, choose your preferences, and let Math Shield help you stay on track. Perfect For - Students who want to focus on studying - Professionals who need distraction-free work sessions - Anyone looking to reduce screen time - People building healthier digital habits Whether you're studying, working, reading, or spending time with family, Math Shield helps you take control of your attention—one challenge at a time. Download Math Shield and make every app unlock a conscious decision. To enjoy the full experience and to gain all the premium features, you can always purchase our Monthly, Yearly or Lifetime premium subscription pack. Math Shield will automatically charge your iTunes Account at the end of your subscription unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of your current period. Subscriptions renew at the original price. You can turn off auto-renew at any time and still receive full functionality until the end of your current period, but no refund can be provided for unused portions of the subscription. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. All your previous purchases can be easily restored using the **Restore Purchase** option in the app. This will provide you access to all the premium features. You can view Math Shield Terms of Use & Privacy Policy. Terms of Use (EULA):  https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://github.com/vinothvino42/app-privacy-policy/blob/main/math-shield.md

Screenshots

CalcGate | App Lock with Math4 screens
Math Shield4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CalcGate | App Lock with Math at none against Math Shield's 3. Math Shield's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Math Shield sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. CalcGate | App Lock with Math asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CalcGate | App Lock with Math ships an update every 3 weeks, Math Shield every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
CalcGate | App Lock with Math versus Math Shield: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCalcGate | App Lock with MathMath Shield
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.226.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHIDEYUKI INAGAKIVinoth Ramajeyam

In-app purchases

None

CalcGate | App Lock with Math

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Math Shield

Subscriptions2
  • Math Shield Pro Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Math Shield Pro Yearly3 Days trial$12.991 Year
One-time1
  • Math Shield Pro - Lifetime$19.99

Questions

Is CalcGate | App Lock with Math free?
CalcGate | App Lock with Math is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Math Shield free?
Math Shield is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do CalcGate | App Lock with Math or Math Shield have ads?
Neither CalcGate | App Lock with Math nor Math Shield shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CalcGate | App Lock with Math or Math Shield?
CalcGate | App Lock with Math ships an update every 3 weeks, and Math Shield every 2 days. Most recently, CalcGate | App Lock with Math was updated on October 10, 2026 and Math Shield on October 7, 2026.

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