Comparison

Escape Matrix vs Lock In

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

Head to head
About

Escape Matrix

Features
Read full description

Take control of your Screen Time, block distracting apps, and build healthier digital habits with smart app limits, Quiet Hours, and powerful focus tools. IMPORTANT: Escape Matrix requires a paid auto-renewable subscription to access its features. A separate in-app purchase is required after downloading the app. Escape Matrix helps you reduce screen time, overcome phone addiction, and stay focused without making productivity feel boring. Set app limits, schedule Quiet Hours, track your progress, and reclaim your attention through a unique, immersive experience. FEATURES β€’ Screen Time control for your most distracting apps β€’ Smart app limits for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, X, Reddit, and more β€’ Quiet Hours to automatically block selected apps during specific times β€’ Daily, weekly, and monthly Screen Time analytics β€’ Beautiful focus statistics and usage insights β€’ Personalized app rules and schedules β€’ Gamified progress system that rewards consistency β€’ Custom Shield screens during blocked sessions β€’ Clean, modern design built exclusively for iOS β€’ Native Apple Screen Time integration QUIET HOURS Create distraction-free hours where selected apps automatically become unavailable. Whether you're studying, working, sleeping, or spending time with family, Quiet Hours helps you stay focused and in control. TRACK YOUR SCREEN TIME Monitor your daily Screen Time, weekly trends, most used apps, and focus progress with beautiful charts designed to help you build lasting habits instead of relying on willpower. BUILD BETTER HABITS Escape Matrix isn't about using your phone less. It's about using it with intention. Every app you don't open. Every limit you respect. Every distraction you avoid. Brings you one step closer to reclaiming your attention. SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED Access to Escape Matrix and its Screen Time features requires an active paid subscription. Subscription options are presented in the app and are purchased separately through your Apple ID. Download Escape Matrix today and take back control of your Screen Time. Apple Standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Terms of Use: https://escapematrix-app.web.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://escapematrix-app.web.app/privacy

About

Lock In

Features
Read full description

How many times have you opened an app "just to check something" β€” and lost an hour? Screen Time, Focus modes, reminders… you've probably tried them all, and skipped every one with a single tap. The problem was never a lack of reminders. It's that skipping is too easy. Lock In gives you a lock you can't just tap past. Want to open a locked app? Wait out a cooldown first. Most urges don't survive ten minutes. HARD LOCK β€” STRONG ENOUGH TO STOP YOU (PRO) Opening a locked app means waiting out a 15, 30, or 60-minute cooldown first. Hardcore mode adds one more step: retype the note you wrote to yourself. Even deleting a commitment requires the same cooldown. No backdoor. SET IT ONCE, KEEP IT FOR AS LONG AS YOU CHOOSE Pick the apps you most want to quit and lock each one for a week, six months, or any number of days. Once a commitment starts, Lock In holds the line so "later" doesn't turn into "never." A GENTLE STOP EVERY TIME YOU REACH FOR IT Open a locked app and you'll first see a quote reminding you why you chose to focus β€” from timeless wisdom to iconic anime lines. A SELF-DISCIPLINE TOOL, NOT A CAGE There's always a way out when you truly need it: the soft lock lets you in for 15 minutes, and the hard lock opens once the cooldown ends. Lock In protects your decision β€” you stay in control. SEE YOUR PROGRESS Every urge you resist is turned into "time reclaimed," with a shareable weekly recap card. Not "how many times I held back," but "how much time I took back." STAYS ON YOUR PHONE No sign-up, no login, no servers. The apps you lock and your settings stay on your device β€” never uploaded, tracked, or sold. KEY FEATURES β€’ Hard lock (Pro): wait out a 15/30/60-minute cooldown before opening β€’ Hardcore mode (Pro): cooldown + retype your own note β€’ Per-app lock periods: one week, six months, or custom β€’ A quote appears every time you try to open a locked app β€’ "Time reclaimed" stats and a shareable weekly recap β€’ Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets β€’ Fully on-device: no account, no tracking Lock In today and give your time back to what matters. Note: The app interface is currently available in Traditional Chinese. β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€”β€” SUBSCRIPTIONS & PURCHASES Lock In is free to use with basic features (lock 1 app). Upgrade to unlock unlimited apps and all features: β€’ Monthly subscription (auto-renewing) β€’ Yearly subscription (auto-renewing) β€’ Lifetime (one-time purchase, not a subscription) Prices vary by region and are shown in the app before purchase. β€’ Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. β€’ Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. β€’ Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period. β€’ Manage subscriptions or turn off auto-renew in your App Store account settings after purchase. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://lockweb-8fd2.vercel.app/

Screenshots

Escape Matrix4 screens
Lock In4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Escape Matrix at none against Lock In's shown. On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Escape Matrix sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and Lock In sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Escape Matrix ships an update weekly, Lock In fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 5 level
Escape Matrix versus Lock In: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEscape MatrixLock In
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyWeekly β€” betterFortnightly
AdsNo β€” betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.216.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size37 MB104 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperOMER BENAL SAGIRCHIAYU SUN

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Escape Matrix

Subscriptions2
  • Escape Matrix Monthly$8.991 Month
  • Escape Matrix Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
3 purchases

Lock In

Subscriptions2
  • Premium 月繳$4.991 Month
  • Premium εΉ΄ηΉ³$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium θ²·ζ–·$59.99

Questions

Is Escape Matrix free?
Escape Matrix is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lock In free?
Lock In is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Escape Matrix or Lock In have ads?
Lock In shows ads; Escape Matrix does not.
Which is updated more often, Escape Matrix or Lock In?
Escape Matrix ships an update weekly, and Lock In fortnightly. Most recently, Escape Matrix was updated on October 24, 2026 and Lock In on October 25, 2026.

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