Svala vs App Screen Time Lock
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Svala
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Take back control of your screen time—without giving up the apps you enjoy. Svala is a calm, flexible app blocker that helps you use distracting apps and websites more intentionally. Choose what you want to limit, set a daily allowance for each day of the week, and let Svala step in when your time is up. When you reach a limit, Svala shows a clear shield that interrupts automatic scrolling. You can close the app and move on, or make a deliberate choice to unlock a little more time with a quick challenge. WHY SVALA? • Set daily limits for selected apps and websites • Choose different allowances for different days • Block distractions automatically when a limit is reached • Unlock optional extra time with quick challenges • Use an emergency unlock when you really need access • Keep your limits and Screen Time selections on your device BUILT FOR BETTER SCREEN HABITS Svala adds a small, intentional pause between impulse and action. That moment of friction can help you scroll less, avoid automatic app opens, and build healthier habits—without complicated routines or rigid focus sessions. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Svala does not collect, track, or sell your personal data. Your limits and Screen Time selections stay on your device. There are no ads, subscriptions or accounts. HOW IT WORKS Svala uses Apple’s Screen Time technologies to monitor the apps and websites you select and display a shield when a daily limit is reached. Screen Time authorization is required for these features. Your time. Your limits. Your choice.
App Screen Time Lock
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App Screen Time Lock helps you set clear daily boundaries for distracting apps. Choose the apps you want to control, give each one its own allowance, and the app applies a Screen Time shield after that allowance is used. Use it to: - Set separate daily limits for social, video, games, and other distracting apps - Enable Strict Lock to reduce impulsive changes after limits are active - Add a Guardian Code for an extra accountability step on sensitive changes - Set a local accountability partner name for shareable unlock requests - Share unlock request messages through the iOS share sheet when you need help deciding - Use limited Break Passes for short, intentional pauses without deleting your setup - Review and share a local event log for lock, pass, and settings changes - Keep useful apps available while only blocking the apps you selected The app uses Apple's Screen Time frameworks. Selected apps are handled as Apple-protected tokens, and your limit settings, Guardian Code data, accountability settings, break-pass state, and event logs are stored locally on your device.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: App Screen Time Lock at 16.0 against Svala's 26.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Svala ships an update weekly, App Screen Time Lock every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Svala | App Screen Time Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sebastian Kalita | KRISHNA PINNAMANENI |
In-app purchases
Svala
No in-app purchases
App Screen Time Lock
No in-app purchases







