Comparison

Lock In vs PawseScroll

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

Head to head
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/

About

PawseScroll

This tool helps you regain control of your phone usage by setting intentional limits on app access. It requires you to define your purpose and duration before unlocking apps, promoting mindful use and reflection on your time spent.

Highlights
  • Intentional app blocking
  • Purpose-driven app access
  • Time limit enforcement
  • Usage reflection
  • Progress tracking
  • 100% local and private data
Read full description

PawseScroll is a self-discipline tool built for anyone who "just can't put the phone down." It helps you take back your time β€” not through sheer willpower, but through smart, intentional blocking. 【How it works】: Commit β†’ Set a Limit β†’ Time's Up β†’ Reflect 1. Add the apps you want to block. 2. Commit: To open a blocked app, you first write down your purpose and how long you need it. 3. Set a Limit: The app only unlocks for the time you chose. 4. Time's Up: When the timer ends, the app locks again automatically β€” no "just five more minutes." 5. Reflect: After each session, review whether the time was well spent, so every use is intentional. 【Why you'll love it】 1. Real limits, not willpower: System-level blocking holds off temptation for you β€” you don't have to "resist" on your own. 2. Use it when you need it: Not an all-or-nothing ban. Use your apps with purpose and in moderation. 3. See your progress: Clear stats on your focus time and usage habits make your improvement easy to track. 4. 100% local, 100% private: All data stays on your device. No internet connection, no uploads, no ads, no tracking, and no personal information collected β€” ever. Perfect for students preparing for exams, professionals who need to focus at work, and anyone who wants to cut down on mindless scrolling and spend time on what really matters. Start today, say goodbye to endless scrolling, and give your time back to what counts. 【Privacy Policy】 https://lcn77kzi4s0c.feishu.cn/docx/QI2zdhJeIoMWpJxZAVHcaqGhnpc?from=from_copylink 【Contact】 Xiaohongshu (RED): ε½’ε½’ηš„θ„‘θŠ± WeChat: guiggg0

Screenshots

Lock In4 screens
PawseScroll4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Lock In at Free against PawseScroll's $0.99. Lock In also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). PawseScroll's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). On update cadence 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

Lock In is free to download; PawseScroll costs $0.99 up front. Lock In sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. PawseScroll asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lock In ships an update fortnightly, PawseScroll weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences Β· 4 level
Lock In versus PawseScroll: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLock InPawseScroll
PriceFree β€” better$0.99
Positive reviewsβ€”100.0% of reviews
Update frequencyFortnightlyWeekly β€” better
AdsYesNo β€” better
In-app purchasesYesNo β€” better
Monetizationβ€”Paid
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad β€” better
Requires iOS16.0 β€” better18.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size104 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCHIAYU SUN桷莹 沈

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Lock In

Subscriptions2
  • Premium 月繳$4.991 Month
  • Premium εΉ΄ηΉ³$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium θ²·ζ–·$59.99
None

PawseScroll

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lock In free?
Lock In is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PawseScroll free?
PawseScroll costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Lock In or PawseScroll have ads?
Lock In shows ads; PawseScroll does not.
Which is updated more often, Lock In or PawseScroll?
Lock In ships an update fortnightly, and PawseScroll weekly. Most recently, Lock In was updated on October 25, 2026 and PawseScroll on October 31, 2026.

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