Cue vs HeiLock
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Cue
This app helps you use social media more mindfully by tracking your in-the-moment app session time. It offers daily app limits and locks, and prompts a search before opening apps to encourage intentional use. Widgets provide quick access to frequently used applications.
- Live Dynamic Island timer
- Daily app limits and app lock
- Search before opening apps
- Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets
- Supports popular social apps
- Digital detox tool
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You only meant to watch short videos for 5 minutes, yet two hours slip by in the blink of an eye? Content feed recommendation algorithms easily draw you into mindless scrolling, making you lose track of time — yet emptiness and regret linger once you put your phone down. Timing Dynamic Island — an exclusive real-time anti-addiction tool for iPhone’s Dynamic Island. It visually displays your screen time as you browse, keeping the passing hours constantly in sight, and lets you lock apps instantly the moment you feel the urge to stop scrolling. Why Choose Cue? Common screen time apps force harsh locks and strict limits that demand extreme willpower, which usually backfire and make you scroll more. Our app takes a mild, gradual approach. The Dynamic Island live timer tracks your usage in real time, paired with hourly, daily and weekly analytics to reveal wasted scrolling hours. You’ll naturally recognize the toll of overusing your phone and cut back voluntarily, without harsh external restrictions. Core Features 1. Real-Time Dynamic Island Timer (Exclusive Feature) Automate shortcuts to detect app launches and closures. The Dynamic Island persistently shows the running duration of your current app, letting you see exactly how long you’ve been scrolling and prompting you to break free from mindless browsing. 2. One-Tap Lock & System-Level Daily Time Limits A quick lock button sits right on the Dynamic Island to cut off scrolling the second you spot your addiction. You may set daily usage caps for apps. Powered by iOS’s native Screen Time framework, apps will lock automatically once your daily limit is reached, putting an end to the trap of "just one more minute". 3. Search-First Launch to Eliminate Mindless Opening Enter target keywords before jumping into the corresponding platform. This avoids aimlessly opening recommendation feeds and endless passive scrolling, ensuring every app session has a clear purpose. 4. Lock Screen & Home Screen Widget Quick Access Widgets available for both home and lock screens offer instant entry to frequently used apps, balancing convenient time management with a smooth user experience. 5. Multi-Layer Trend Data Analytics Dashboard No more vague, oversimplified duration figures. We provide comprehensive trend analysis across three time frames: hourly, daily and weekly. Automated visual line charts clearly display peak usage hours, daily time fluctuations and weekly usage patterns. Who This App Is For You easily get hooked on short videos and social media, struggling to put your phone down voluntarily You want to cut down unproductive screen hours without deleting entertainment apps entirely You wish to monitor app usage duration live via the Dynamic Island for constant self-discipline You need daily usage limits and app lock functions to manage your phone habits You aim to beat phone addiction and build a mindful, disciplined digital lifestyle Privacy & Security Statement Cue never accesses your third-party account passwords, private messages, browsing history, feed content, search records or any other personal private data. All functions including screen time tracking, daily usage limits and app locks run on iOS’s native Screen Time system. You must manually grant all required permissions, and all data is stored locally on your device only — never uploaded to third-party servers. End User License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://economic-oval-cfc.notion.site/373369e95c9780ccbccae45dae46c262?pvs=74
HeiLock
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HeiLock helps you set gentler boundaries around app time. When it is time to stop, pause for a moment, cut down on short, mindless bursts of app use, and use apps with more intention. Key features: • Session Limits Set how long an app can be used each time. When the limit is reached, usage is restricted automatically. • Cumulative Limits Set a cumulative usage limit for one or more apps. When the set time is reached, usage is restricted automatically. When you select multiple apps, use “Combined Usage Time” to choose how time is counted: when enabled, usage time across the selected apps is combined, and the apps share a single cumulative limit; when disabled, usage is accumulated separately for each app. • Allowed Time Windows Choose when an app is available. Outside those windows, usage is restricted. • Custom Display Content Add your favorite photos or videos. When an app is locked, HeiLock can show the content you selected, making each pause feel a little warmer. • Manage Multiple Apps Manage multiple apps at once and set different usage schedules for different apps. • Passcode Protection Protect your settings with a passcode to prevent unwanted changes. • Local Storage No sign-in, no ads, and all data stays on your device.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HeiLock at none against Cue's 3. On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. Cue sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. HeiLock asks for nothing beyond the download.
Cue ships an update every 5 days, HeiLock weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Cue | HeiLock |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (7 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 7 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days — better | Weekly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 鋆博 江 | 北京尾巴频率科技有限公司 |
In-app purchases
Cue
- Monthly$5.991 Month
- yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year
- lifetime purchase$39.99
HeiLock
No in-app purchases








