Comparison

TapLock vs Power Reader

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

Head to head
About

TapLock

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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. Without it, the only ways back in are slow by design. 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 Allow yourself a few short breaks without the card, if you want them (off by default) 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 Optional card-free breaks, up to 3 per lock, off by default Custom blocking profiles, block specific apps and websites or allow only a selected few Lock Now widget and Control Center button, lock in one tap without opening the app Siri and Shortcuts, start a lock by voice or build automations by time, place or Focus 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 Lost your card? A 6-digit PIN still unlocks, but slowly: every PIN unlock ends with a short puzzle, and with a card registered the PIN works 5 times per 30 days on each device. After that, a 24-hour emergency unlock is always offered, so you are never locked out for good. On an iPhone with no card registered yet, the PIN is not limited. 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

Power Reader

Features
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Power Reader helps you read faster on any website โ€” without changing your habits. It works by bolding a cleverly chosen anchor of every word on the page. This visual trick leverages how your brain processes language, boosting word recognition and keeping your eyes moving smoothly across lines. **How it works** Power Reader uses a technique called perceptual micro-stimulation. By emphasizing these anchors, it gives your brain a head start on recognition โ€” so you read faster and with less effort. **Features** - Boldens a cleverly chosen anchor of every word on any Safari webpage - Works with every text and on all websites โ€” no exceptions - One-tap enable/disable via Safari Extensions - Zero data collection โ€” your browsing stays completely private - Lightweight and fast โ€” no performance impact **Privacy** Power Reader processes everything on-device. It never tracks you, never phones home, and never sees your browsing data. Period.

Screenshots

TapLock4 screens
Power Reader3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: TapLock at Free against Power Reader's $0.99. Power Reader's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

TapLock is free to download; Power Reader costs $0.99 up front. TapLock sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Power Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TapLock ships an update fortnightly, Power Reader every 5 days. Both last shipped on October 28, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 3 level
TapLock versus Power Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTapLockPower Reader
PriceFree โ€” better$0.99
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 5 days โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo โ€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac โ€” better
Requires iOS17.016.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size13 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSze Yuen HOKessler Digital Ventures

In-app purchases

2 purchases

TapLock

One-time2
  • TapLock Free TrialFree
  • TapLock Lifetime$4.99
None

Power Reader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TapLock free?
TapLock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Power Reader free?
Power Reader costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do TapLock or Power Reader have ads?
Neither TapLock nor Power Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TapLock or Power Reader?
TapLock ships an update fortnightly, and Power Reader every 5 days. Most recently, TapLock was updated on October 28, 2026 and Power Reader on October 28, 2026.

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