Comparison

Normal vs OpenAppLock

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

Head to head
About

Normal

This app helps you reduce phone usage by blocking selected applications by default. To access blocked apps, you must physically scan an NFC tag, QR code, or barcode, or be at a specific location. It offers granular control, timed unblocks, and scheduling to help you regain control of your screen time.

Highlights
  • Block apps via NFC, QR codes, and barcodes
  • Use any NFC tag, QR code, or barcode
  • Unblock/block specific apps
  • Timed unblocks
  • Scheduling
  • Granular control
  • Bypass prevention options
Read full description

Normal actually makes you use your phone less by keeping selected apps blocked by default. To unblock you have to physically scan an NFC Tag, QR Code or use a Location. This can be any NFC Tag, QR Code, Barcode, Location you set in the app. This 'opt-in' approach is backed by research and actual use. Normal is made to be the most powerful screen time app available. Saving your hours of your day. It's fully open-source and no features are behind paywalls. It can also be made to be impossible to bypass. Highlights of Normal: - Block Apps via NFC Tags, QR Codes and Barcodes - Use ANY NFC Tag, QR Code or Barcode - Unblock/Block specific Apps - Timed Unblocks - Emergency Unblocks - Scheduling - Complete Granular Control - Can make it as easy or as hard to bypass Normal was made because of issues with some other screen time apps. - Other screen time apps are easy to bypass. Normal can be made to be impossible to bypass, or easy to bypass. You have complete control. - Most other screen time apps work on opt-out strategy, where you have access to all apps, then lose access through usage. - Normal works on opt-in strategy. The apps you have blocked are always blocked, to use them you have to physically get up and scan your NFC tag or QR Code. - Most screen time apps are paid, either one-time or more commonly, subscriptions. There are no paid features. Everything is free and open-source. - Normal is privacy-focused. We don't log any data, everything stays on device. Since we're open source, you can check our code and confirm. - Normal allows timed unlocks. Other NFC/QR Code blockers don't have this. If you want to use an app for 15min, you can unlock it for 15min only. You don't have to remember to reblock. Normal was made by actual users, research on smartphone addiction and developments in dumbphones in-mind. If you want to turn your iPhone into a dumbphone, you can. Block all smart apps, block the app store, prevent disabling normal (via preventing delete and the shortcuts trick). Now you have a dumbphone, which you can't make smart without your NFC Tag (which you can make as difficult as you need). If you want a semi-dumbphone, you can. Do the above but have some apps like maps, music, messaging, etc. If you're a professional who needs access to apps distracting sometimes, Normal is for you! Block all distractions with Normal. Set schedules for you work apps or used timed unblocks. Need 15min to post content or check email? You can do that! You just have to physically get up and scan your NFC Tag, QR Code, or Barcode. The apps will automatically reblock after your timer is over. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

OpenAppLock

This app helps you regain control of your screen time by blocking specific applications. You can set schedules, time limits, or open limits for apps, and even create custom rules to prevent unwanted usage.

Highlights
  • Block apps on a schedule
  • Set time or open limits
  • Preset and custom rules
  • Lock rule edits
Features
Read full description

Block apps and reclaim your screen time! - Block apps on a schedule, or add a time/open limit - Choose from preset rules, or create your own - Lock rule edits to prevent changes while blocking

Screenshots

Normal4 screens
OpenAppLock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OpenAppLock at none against Normal's 9. Normal's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly) and ratings volume (44 vs 9). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. Normal sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $5.00 per month. OpenAppLock asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Normal against 5.0 for OpenAppLock. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 44 and 9 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Normal ships an update every 2 days, OpenAppLock weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Normal versus OpenAppLock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNormalOpenAppLock
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (44 ratings)5.0 (9 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings44 — better9
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNormal Engineering Inc.Brendan Chen

Customer experience

Normal

All ratings42 ratings
Positive97.6%
Neutral2.4%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

OpenAppLock

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Normal

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly Support$5.001 Month
  • Monthly Support$10.001 Month
  • Monthly Support$20.001 Month
One-time6
  • One-time Donation$5.00
  • One-time Donation$10.00
  • One-time Donation$20.00
Show 3 more
  • One-time Donation$50.00
  • One-time Donation$100.00
  • One-time Donation$200.00
None

OpenAppLock

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Normal free?
Normal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OpenAppLock free?
OpenAppLock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Normal or OpenAppLock?
OpenAppLock is rated higher. Normal averages 4.9 out of 5 from 44 ratings, while OpenAppLock averages 5.0 from 9 ratings.
Do Normal or OpenAppLock have ads?
Neither Normal nor OpenAppLock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Normal or OpenAppLock?
Normal ships an update every 2 days, and OpenAppLock weekly. Most recently, Normal was updated on November 5, 2026 and OpenAppLock on October 31, 2026.

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