Comparison

TapLock vs Affirmation Lock

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

Head to head
About

TapLock

Read full description

TapLock turns a physical NFC card into the only key that unlocks your apps. Tap your card to lock your iPhone's distracting apps behind a Screen Time shield. To get them back, you have to physically tap the card again. The card has to be in your hand. There are no shortcuts. HOW IT WORKS Choose which apps to block, then tap "Lock Now" Apps stay blocked until you tap your registered NFC card to the top of your phone Need a break? Pause the session and it picks up right where you left off Set a timer to auto-unlock after a focus session ends WHAT CARDS WORK Any NFC card you already carry: transit cards, hotel keys, student IDs, office keycards, or cheap NFC stickers. If your iPhone can read it, TapLock can use it. FEATURES NFC card unlock, tap to lock, tap to unlock Timed locks with auto-unlock countdown Pause and resume a session without losing your remaining time Custom blocking profiles, block specific apps or allow only a selected few Multiple cards supported, each with its own name Block app deletion while locked so you can't cheat by uninstalling Session stats, see your total focus time and how long your last session ran Live Activity and Dynamic Island timer visible from your lock screen Your cards and settings sync across your devices via iCloud Remote Key, unlock a family iPad or second iPhone by tapping your card on your own iPhone Native iPad app with a landscape layout REMOTE KEY AND IPAD Lock a family iPad or a second iPhone, then open it by tapping your card on your own iPhone. Both devices just need the same Apple ID. iPads have no NFC reader, so they pair as a kept device and are always opened from your iPhone. EMERGENCY ACCESS A 6-digit PIN is available if you lose your card. It works, but it is deliberately slow, so you will want to keep your card nearby. TapLock does not replace your iPhone's lock screen. It uses Apple's Screen Time framework to shield apps while your phone stays accessible for calls and emergencies. Free 7-day trial. One-time purchase. No subscription, ever. Terms of Use: https://www.aimakecoolstuff.com/legal/taplock/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.aimakecoolstuff.com/legal/taplock/privacy

About

Affirmation Lock

Features
Read full description

Affirmation lock: App Blocker Go from endless scrolling to mindful reset Your phone pulls you into autopilot dozens of times a day. Affirmation Lock flips that: before the apps you chose to limit can open, you pause, breathe, and speak an affirmation matched to how you actually feel. No shame. No hustle. Just a small moment of intention before the scroll. How it works 1. Choose which apps to block 2. Check in with how you feel today 3. Read or speak personalized affirmations written for you 4. Unlock when you're ready - centered, not autopilot What's inside • App blocking - stop doomscrolling and create space to breathe • Personalized affirmations - new lines every day, tuned to your mood • Speak your intention - on-device speech recognition, hands-free unlock • Mood check-ins - affirmations that meet you where you are • Practice streaks - quiet progress you can actually keep • Emergency unlock - flexible when life actually needs you Good for • Building a daily affirmation habit without another empty resolution • Reducing screen time without deleting every app • Breaking autopilot pickups before Instagram, TikTok, or games • Anyone who wants focus and self-care, not another productivity lecture Affirmation Lock isn't a generic timer or a guilt trip. It's a mindful screen time blocker that turns the moment you reach for your phone into a brief practice - speak your intention, take a breath, then choose what comes next. Privacy first Your affirmations, moods, and practice history stay on your device. Speech recognition runs locally. We don't get your data. Download Affirmation Lock and start with one breath today. Questions or ideas? We'd love to hear from you - visit beardenlabs.co/affirmation-lock/support. Support: beardenlabs.co/affirmation-lock/support Privacy: beardenlabs.co/affirmation-lock/privacy Terms: beardenlabs.co/affirmation-lock/terms *Affirmation Lock requires an active subscription after your free trial; core features are not available without one.*

Screenshots

TapLock4 screens
Affirmation Lock4 screens

Verdict

The call

TapLock and Affirmation Lock are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

Both are free to download. TapLock sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Affirmation Lock sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
TapLock versus Affirmation Lock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTapLockAffirmation Lock
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 4 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB56 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSze Yuen HOBEAR DEN LABS PTY LTD

In-app purchases

2 purchases

TapLock

One-time2
  • TapLock Free TrialFree
  • TapLock Lifetime$4.99
5 purchases

Affirmation Lock

Subscriptions5
  • Pro3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Pro3 Days trial$12.991 Year
  • Pro3 Days trial$19.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Pro3 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Pro3 Days trial$34.991 Year

Questions

Is TapLock free?
TapLock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Affirmation Lock free?
Affirmation Lock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do TapLock or Affirmation Lock have ads?
Neither TapLock nor Affirmation Lock shows ads.

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