Comparison

App Block vs Reading App Blocker

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

Head to head
About

App Block

Features
Read full description

Make distraction earn its place in your day. Read to Unlock blocks the apps that usually win your attention, and gives them back only once you have read for them. Every page is worth 1 minute. Pass a short quiz to prove you understood it, and those minutes go into your balance — spend them on TikTok, Instagram or YouTube whenever you want. HOW IT WORKS 1. Pick the apps to block — the ones that usually get the first tap 2. Read inside the app — every page you read earns 1 minute 3. Pass the quiz — answer 3 questions, get 2 right, and the minutes are banked 4. Spend your balance — activate minutes whenever you want your apps back There is no daily goal and no minimum. Read as much or as little as you want. Your balance carries across days, so nothing you earned is ever lost at midnight. FEATURES • Blocks distracting apps through iOS Screen Time • 1 page = 1 minute, with a balance that carries over between days • A built-in book library, so you can start reading in the first minute • Import your own EPUB and PDF files (Pro) • A 3-question comprehension quiz written by AI from the pages you just read • Track pages read, minutes earned and your reading streak • Fully translated into 25 languages, switchable at any time FREE AND PRO Free gives you one blocked app, one book from the library and the full earning loop. Pro unlocks every distracting app, the whole library, EPUB and PDF imports, and one shared minute balance across everything you read. From $4.99 per month, or $29.99 per year. Works on iPhone with iOS 17 or later. Reading is the price of the feed. Download Read to Unlock and read first. Privacy Policy: https://readtounlock.org/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Reading App Blocker

Features
Read full description

Read more. Scroll less. PageWard is a reading app blocker that turns real book progress into screen time. • Earn app time by reading pages • Smart proof for book covers and page progress • Lock apps, categories and websites with Apple Screen Time • Track books, streaks, sessions and completed reads • Widgets for book progress and available time • Leaderboards for extra motivation Made for students, readers and anyone looking for a practical digital detox. PageWard uses Apple's secure Screen Time picker and does not see the apps you select. Terms & Conditions: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://pageward.tengrx.com/tr/privacy

Screenshots

App Block4 screens
Reading App Blocker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: App Block at Free against Reading App Blocker's $6.99. Reading App Blocker's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 weeks). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

App Block is free to download; Reading App Blocker costs $6.99 up front. App Block sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Reading App Blocker sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

App Block ships an update every 4 weeks, Reading App Blocker every 4 days. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences Ā· 4 level
App Block versus Reading App Blocker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterApp BlockReading App Blocker
PriceFree — better$6.99
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAskhat BakitovFuat Tarik ISLAM

In-app purchases

2 purchases

App Block

Subscriptions2
  • Read to Unlock Pro$4.991 Month
  • Read to Unlock Pro$29.991 Year
3 purchases

Reading App Blocker

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$5.991 Month
  • Yearly$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is App Block free?
App Block is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Reading App Blocker free?
Reading App Blocker costs $6.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Do App Block or Reading App Blocker have ads?
Neither App Block nor Reading App Blocker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, App Block or Reading App Blocker?
App Block ships an update every 4 weeks, and Reading App Blocker every 4 days. Most recently, App Block was updated on November 5, 2026 and Reading App Blocker on November 5, 2026.

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