Comparison

Deny vs LockBuddy

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

Head to head
About

Deny

This app helps you regain focus by blocking distracting applications. It requires a friend's approval to unlock apps, fostering accountability and making screen time limits stick. Take back your attention with a collaborative approach to digital well-being.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps and sites
  • Schedule app blocking
  • Daily time limits for apps
  • Friend approval required for unlocks
  • Temporary unlock with countdown
  • Collaborative progress tracking
Features
Read full description

Deny locks the apps that waste your time — and puts a friend in charge of the key. Most screen-time apps fail for one reason: the moment you want back in, you just tap "ignore limit." Deny removes that escape hatch. Block your most distracting apps, and when you want to unlock them, you have to ask a friend to approve it. HOW IT WORKS • Build block groups — pick the apps and sites to lock, on a schedule or a daily time limit. • Stay locked. Blocked apps are shielded by iOS, so there's no sneaking past them. • Allow temporary unlocks — give yourself a set number of minutes, with a live countdown showing exactly when apps re-lock. • Bring in friends. Connect with an invite code, then ask a friend for screen time. They approve or deny — you stay accountable. • See each other's progress and keep one another honest. WHY DENY • Friends make it stick. Accountability beats willpower. • Honest by design — no one-tap "ignore." • Private. Your data is yours; we never sell it or use it for ads. Deny uses Apple's Screen Time (Family Controls) features to block apps on your own device. Take back your attention — together.

About

LockBuddy

This app helps you enforce your own Screen Time limits by locking distracting applications. It allows you to set daily limits, create strict lock days, and even designate a trusted person as a Guardian for added accountability. It's designed for adults seeking fewer loopholes in managing their digital habits.

Highlights
  • Per-app daily limits
  • Strict lock for no-change days
  • Local Guardian Code for protected edits
  • Break passes for emergencies
  • Shareable unlock request messages
  • Local event log
Features
Read full description

LockBuddy helps you protect your own Screen Time rules when willpower is not enough. Choose distracting apps, set daily limits, and let iPhone shield those apps when their time is up. For stronger accountability, add a trusted person as your Guardian and let them hold the local Guardian Code for sensitive changes. LockBuddy is built for adults who want fewer loopholes: - Per-app daily limits - Strict Lock for no-change days - Local Guardian Code for protected edits - Break passes for limited emergencies - Shareable unlock request messages - Shareable local event log - No account required - No backend required LockBuddy uses Apple's Screen Time frameworks. App selections are private system tokens, and your settings stay on your device.

Screenshots

Deny4 screens
LockBuddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Deny at 5.0 against LockBuddy's 2.0. LockBuddy's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Deny holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 6 level
Deny versus LockBuddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDenyLockBuddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better2.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings11
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStepAI K.K.KRISHNA PINNAMANENI

In-app purchases

None

Deny

No in-app purchases

None

LockBuddy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Deny free?
Deny is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is LockBuddy free?
LockBuddy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Deny or LockBuddy?
Deny is rated higher. Deny averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while LockBuddy averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Deny or LockBuddy have ads?
Neither Deny nor LockBuddy shows ads.

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