Lockmeout vs ReadFirst
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Lockmeout
Read full descriptionHide full description
Lockmeout is the iOS companion app for lockmeout.online — a service that lets you seal away secrets (phone PINs, passwords, text) inside time locks that only open when you decide. USE CASES • Lock your phone's screen PIN away during work hours so you can't unblock yourself early • Store a game or social media password in a lock during a study or focus session • Set up any self-imposed restriction with a guaranteed, time-based release HOW IT WORKS 1. Create a time lock at lockmeout.online and store a secret inside it 2. Add your lock to this app using its 7-character ID or by scanning a QR code 3. The app monitors your lock — and reveals the secret the moment it opens LOCK SCREEN WIDGET Add a widget directly to your iPhone lock screen. It shows your lock's name and status at a glance, and displays the secret as soon as the lock opens — no need to even unlock your phone. SIRI INTEGRATION Ask Siri hands-free while your phone is locked: • "What is my lock code in Lockmeout?" • "When does my lock open in Lockmeout?" • "Is my lock open in Lockmeout?" MULTIPLE LOCKS Track several locks at once. The cycling widget rotates through all your locks every 20 seconds. A long-press on any lock in the list copies the secret to your clipboard. REQUIREMENTS • Locks must be set to public visibility within lockmeout.online website so the app can fetch them without signing in • No signup or account needed (but recommended for easier management of locks)
ReadFirst
This app encourages reading by requiring users to photograph a book page before unlocking chosen apps. It tracks reading progress and offers features like widgets and Siri shortcuts. Your reading data remains private on your device.
- Photograph book pages to unlock apps
- Set custom unlock durations
- Track reading progress with statistics
- Bookshelf to manage reading material
- Widgets and Siri shortcuts
- Private and ad-free experience
Read full descriptionHide full description
ReadFirst requires a purchase: an annual or monthly subscription, or a one-time purchase. All features below are included. New subscribers can try the annual plan free for 3 days. ReadFirst puts a page before the feed. Choose the apps that pull you in. ReadFirst locks them using Apple's Screen Time. When you want to use them, read a little in a printed book, take a photo of the page you reached, and your apps unlock for the number of minutes you set. HOW IT WORKS • You set the rule: reading one to five pages unlocks your apps for the number of minutes you choose. • A short reading timer runs before you can take the photo, so a quick snapshot does not count. • The photo is checked on your device. It is never uploaded or stored. • Minutes only count down while you use your apps. Any unused minutes go back into your bank. • Read more than you need, and the extra credit stays in your bank. • You get one skip a week for the days when you need it. You can allow up to three in Settings. • Set an optional daily limit if you want a ceiling. KEEP TRACK OF YOUR READING • Your bookshelf shows covers, page counts and the book you are currently reading. • A daily goal, a streak and statistics by week, month and year. • A reading log with every page you counted. • Widgets, a reading timer on the Lock Screen, a Read Now control and Siri shortcuts. • Works on iPhone and iPad. PRIVATE FROM THE START No account required. Your books and your reading stay on your device. When you look up a book or a cover, only its ISBN or title is sent to Open Library, Apple Books and public library catalogues. Anonymous usage statistics show us where the app can improve. They never include your name, books or photos. No ads, no tracking. ReadFirst uses Apple's Screen Time API (Family Controls) with your permission. You can change or remove the lock at any time in the app or in iOS Settings. PURCHASE AND SUBSCRIPTION ReadFirst requires a purchase: an annual subscription, a monthly subscription or a one-time purchase. Each option gives you full access to every feature above. New subscribers can try the annual plan free for 3 days. Payment is charged to your Apple Account when you confirm the purchase or when the free trial ends. Subscriptions renew automatically unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. The renewal payment is charged within the last 24 hours of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscriptions in your Apple Account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://getreadfirst.com/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://getreadfirst.com/privacy/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Lockmeout at none against ReadFirst's 5. Lockmeout also leads on iOS requirement (16.7 vs 18.0). ReadFirst's advantage is update cadence (daily vs fortnightly). On price, 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. ReadFirst sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Lockmeout asks for nothing beyond the download.
Lockmeout ships an update fortnightly, ReadFirst daily. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Lockmeout | ReadFirst |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.7 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 23 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Timo Dorr | TrueDigital LLC |
In-app purchases
Lockmeout
No in-app purchases
ReadFirst
- ReadFirst, monthly$7.991 Month
- ReadFirst, annual3 Days trial$39.991 Year
- ReadFirst, annual1 Year trial2 variants$39.991 Year
- ReadFirst, one-time$99.99









