Comparison

BarLock vs Wakebound

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

Head to head
About

BarLock

This alarm clock requires users to scan a unique barcode or QR code located away from their bed to turn it off. It's designed to prevent snoozing and ensure users get out of bed. Features include backup alerts and a lock window to prevent early cancellation.

Highlights
  • Scan barcode/QR code to stop alarm
  • No snooze functionality
  • Wake-Up Check feature
  • Backup alerts
  • Lock Window to prevent early cancellation
  • Tiptoe Mode for quiet disarming
Features
Read full description

You don't have a waking-up problem. You have a turning-off-the-alarm problem. BarLock keeps ringing until you get up and scan a barcode across the room. No snooze. No negotiating. Pick an alarm time, scan a barcode or QR code on something that lives away from your bed, and that exact code becomes the only way to stop the alarm. Toothpaste, coffee, medication, a notebook. Anything that forces you to stand up. HOW IT WORKS 1. Create an alarm. 2. Scan a barcode or QR code on an item away from bed. 3. Name the item. 4. When the alarm fires, walk to the item and scan it. 5. Wrong item, wrong code, or no scan? The alarm keeps ringing. WHY IT WORKS Most alarms die from one tap while you are still half asleep. BarLock moves the off switch across the room. By the time you have scanned, you are on your feet, and getting on your feet is the whole battle. BUILT FOR • Heavy sleepers • Students with early classes • Shift workers • Serial snoozers • Anyone who turns off alarms without remembering it WHAT YOU GET • An alarm only your chosen barcode or QR code can stop • A full-screen Scan to Stop screen the moment it rings • Wake-Up Check. BarLock rings again a little later to make sure you stayed up. • Backup Alerts. Opened the alarm but never finished the scan? It comes back. • Lock Window. In the minutes before it rings, the alarm can't be edited, paused, or deleted without a scan. 2 a.m. you can't sabotage 7 a.m. you. • Tiptoe Mode. A few quiet seconds after you press Stop, enough to reach your item without waking the house. Miss the scan and the volume comes back. • Stickers. Keep getting up and you'll earn them, in holographic foil. • Alarm sounds built to cut through deep sleep • Everything stays on your phone. No account, no ads, no tracking. WHAT'S INCLUDED One barcode alarm, one sound, and the standard wake-up rules. Enough to fix tomorrow morning. BARLOCK PRO Pro is a one-time purchase. No subscription. • Unlimited alarms for weekdays, naps, travel, and backups • Tiptoe Mode • Your own settings for Lock Window, Backup Alerts, and Wake-Up Check • Your sticker collection, revealed in full holographic color • Every alarm sound in the app PRIVACY Your alarms and scanned codes never leave your device. No account, no advertising, no tracking. Stop snoozing. Scan to stop.

About

Wakebound

Features
Read full description

Wakebound is for people who sleep through ordinary alarms or turn them off without getting out of bed. Put a barcode somewhere you have to walk to. When the alarm rings, scan that exact barcode to stop the alarm. You can add a second barcode, a short focus check, or a later wake check if you want more structure. Set up tomorrow's alarm, protect a nap, or preview a mission before you go to sleep. If you miss a wake-up, recovery alarms can help you get back on track. If the barcode is unavailable, there is an emergency option. Pick the look you prefer in Settings. Daybreak Glass is light and calm. Night Signal is darker and more focused. Classic Wakebound styles are still available too. Wakebound does not need an account and does not show ads. There is no tracking or analytics. Your barcode data, alarms, and wake history stay on your iPhone. Camera frames are processed on the device and are not saved or uploaded. Wakebound is a productivity and wellness utility, not a medical device. Alarm behavior can still depend on your device, permissions, system settings, and iOS. For anything important, keep a second trusted alarm.

Screenshots

BarLock4 screens
Wakebound4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Wakebound at none against BarLock's 1. Wakebound also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 4 days). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. BarLock sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Wakebound asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BarLock ships an update every 4 days, Wakebound daily. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
BarLock versus Wakebound: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBarLockWakebound
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (8 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS26.126.1
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB61 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCODE IN MOTION SRLSentayhu Sisay

In-app purchases

1 purchases

BarLock

One-time1
  • BarLock PRO Lifetime$9.99
None

Wakebound

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BarLock free?
BarLock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Wakebound free?
Wakebound is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do BarLock or Wakebound have ads?
Neither BarLock nor Wakebound shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BarLock or Wakebound?
BarLock ships an update every 4 days, and Wakebound daily. Most recently, BarLock was updated on November 5, 2026 and Wakebound on November 6, 2026.

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