Comparison

Snatch Guard vs App Lock

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

Head to head
About

Snatch Guard

Features
Read full description

Snatch Guard detects the moment someone grabs your phone and instantly locks your sensitive apps — banking, messaging, photos, notes — with a system-level shield that can't be dismissed without your Face ID or passcode. HOW IT WORKS - Detects the grab — the built-in accelerometer senses the sudden jerk when someone snatches your phone. - Locks your apps instantly — system-level shields appear over your selected apps within milliseconds. - Only you can unlock — Face ID or device passcode required to remove shields. - Works in background — protection stays active even while you're using other apps. - Tamper resistant — shields stay active even if the app is force-closed. With Screen Time passcode enabled, the app can't be deleted or bypassed. WHY SNATCH GUARD? In London alone, over 117,000 phones were stolen in 2024. Thieves target unlocked phones — they grab and run, then immediately access your bank accounts, messages, and photos. Apple's Stolen Device Protection only delays password changes — it doesn't protect the content of an unlocked phone. The "Require Face ID" feature only works at app launch — if the app is already open when snatched, there's no protection. Snatch Guard fills this gap. FALSE POSITIVES? If you run for a bus and the shield activates, simply open Snatch Guard, authenticate with Face ID, and remove the shield. Takes 3 seconds. You can also adjust sensitivity in Settings. PRIVACY - No data collection — no analytics, no tracking, no telemetry - No network calls — the app never connects to the internet - Location stays on device — used only to keep background protection active, never transmitted - All processing happens on-device FEATURES - Choose which apps to protect - Adjustable sensitivity (2.0G – 6.0G) - Background protection via location keep-alive - Event log with location of detected incidents - Face ID or passcode unlock - Custom shield appearance - Step-by-step onboarding Free. No ads. No subscriptions. No in-app purchases.

About

App Lock

This app acts as a privacy guard and app locker for your iPhone or iPad, allowing you to select specific apps to protect with a PIN. It offers flexible rules like category blocking and guest mode, ensuring your device remains secure when shared.

Highlights
  • On-device app locking
  • PIN protection
  • Category and allow-only rules
  • Guest Mode
  • Scheduled protection windows
  • Face ID/Touch ID unlock
  • Privacy-focused design
Features
Read full description

Lockstead helps limit access to selected apps before you lend your iPhone or iPad. Lockstead is an on-device app lock and privacy guard for the iPhone or iPad you hand to a child, friend, or family member. Choose the apps you want to protect, set a six-digit PIN, and see the current protection status at a glance. Lockstead works without an account, backend server, analytics SDK, or usage-data upload. LOCK AND BLOCK • Lock selected apps to prevent them from launching until you turn protection off. • Use category, allow-only, and Guest Mode rules. • Temporarily allow access and automatically restore protection when time is up. PROTECTION THAT FITS THE MOMENT • Schedule a daily protection window. • Use allow-only mode and category rules. • Start Guest Mode before handing over your device: only chosen apps stay available, all other apps are blocked, and everything restores automatically. • Use Lockstead Shortcuts to strengthen protection. Unlocking always requires authentication inside Lockstead. PRIVATE ACCESS • Protect settings with a six-digit PIN. • Optionally unlock Lockstead with Face ID or Touch ID. PRIVACY BY DESIGN • No account. • No server. • No advertising or analytics SDK. • No usage-data upload. Your PIN and protection configuration stay in the app’s local container on your device. FREE CORE, OPTIONAL VIP Core protection for one selected app is free. VIP adds multi-app management, advanced rules, Guest Mode, app-removal controls, premium themes, and alternate Lockstead icons. Lockstead uses Apple’s Screen Time technologies and requires Screen Time authorization. Family Controls, Managed Settings, and Device Activity are used solely to let users configure and enforce app restrictions on their own devices. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://materialofair.github.io/lockstead-site/privacy.html

Screenshots

Snatch Guard4 screens
App Lock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Snatch Guard at none against App Lock's 3. Snatch Guard also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 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. App Lock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Snatch Guard asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Snatch Guard ships an update every 4 days, App Lock every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Snatch Guard versus App Lock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSnatch GuardApp Lock
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB10 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperOleg Mamiev桥 王

In-app purchases

None

Snatch Guard

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

App Lock

Subscriptions2
  • Lockstead VIP Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Lockstead VIP Yearly$4.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lockstead Lifetime VIP$7.99

Questions

Is Snatch Guard free?
Snatch Guard is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is App Lock free?
App Lock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Snatch Guard or App Lock have ads?
Neither Snatch Guard nor App Lock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Snatch Guard or App Lock?
Snatch Guard ships an update every 4 days, and App Lock every 2 weeks. Most recently, Snatch Guard was updated on October 6, 2026 and App Lock on October 13, 2026.

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