Comparison

Locking Phone vs Screen Time & App Limits

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

Head to head
About

Locking Phone

Features
Read full description

Locking Phone helps you stop late-night scrolling with a strict schedule that runs automatically. Choose when the nightly lock begins and when your phone restores in the morning. During the active period, Locking Phone uses Apple’s Screen Time technology to restrict distracting third-party apps and websites. Phone, Messages, and Alarm remain available according to your iOS Always Allowed settings. Key features: - Automatic nightly phone lock - No temporary bypass during an active night - Automatic restoration at your chosen morning time - Optional one-tap morning state and automatic weekly self-control report - Relationship insights and personalized next-week actions - 7, 21 and 30-day challenges with guided routines - 30 and 90-day trends with PDF/CSV export - One complete night free - No account, ads, or developer analytics - Records stay on your device Continue with a monthly subscription, yearly subscription, or one-time lifetime purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled. Locking Phone is a digital wellbeing and self-control tool. It does not diagnose or treat insomnia or any medical condition. Subscription information: Monthly and yearly plans renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment is charged to your Apple Account. You can manage or cancel subscriptions in App Store account settings. The lifetime plan is a one-time purchase and does not renew. Privacy Policy: https://lockingphone.logihope.com/privacy.html?lang=en Terms of Use: https://lockingphone.logihope.com/terms.html?lang=en Membership Service Agreement: https://lockingphone.logihope.com/membership.html?lang=en Auto-Renewal Service Agreement: https://lockingphone.logihope.com/auto-renewal.html?lang=en Apple Standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Screen Time & App Limits

Features
Read full description

Screen Time is a screen time manager for individuals and families. It uses the Screen Time capabilities built into iPhone and iPad to create a clear, sustainable rhythm for managed apps. Set the length of each use session, the break between sessions, and a daily allowance. Time is counted only while managed apps are actually used. When a session limit is reached, Screen Time pauses managed apps and restores access automatically after the break. You can also assign a separate daily limit to each selected app. Key features: • Custom use-and-break cycles and daily allowances • Individual daily limits for selected apps • Manage all apps or selected apps, categories, and websites • Protect settings with Face ID, Touch ID, or a local PIN • Add time for today, skip one break, or manually lock and unlock managed apps • One-time purchase to unlock automation permanently; no subscription Privacy first: no account, no ads, and no third-party analytics. Rules, status, and system-provided selection tokens stay on your device. Usage diagnostics: view local steps and outcomes and choose to share a diagnostic file. It contains no selected apps, websites or passwords and is not uploaded automatically. System calls and your experience reports are recorded separately.

Screenshots

Locking Phone4 screens
Screen Time & App Limits3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Screen Time & App Limits at every 5 days against Locking Phone's every 10 days. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Locking Phone sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Screen Time & App Limits sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Locking Phone ships an update every 10 days, Screen Time & App Limits every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 5 level
Locking Phone versus Screen Time & App Limits: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLocking PhoneScreen Time & App Limits
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWuhan Lixing Zhumeng Network Technology Co., Ltd.少元 李

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Locking Phone

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pro$3.991 Month
  • Yearly Pro$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Locking Phone Lifetime$59.99
1 purchases

Screen Time & App Limits

One-time1
  • 永久解锁$3.99

Questions

Is Locking Phone free?
Locking Phone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Screen Time & App Limits free?
Screen Time & App Limits is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Locking Phone or Screen Time & App Limits have ads?
Neither Locking Phone nor Screen Time & App Limits shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Locking Phone or Screen Time & App Limits?
Locking Phone ships an update every 10 days, and Screen Time & App Limits every 5 days. Most recently, Locking Phone was updated on October 18, 2026 and Screen Time & App Limits on October 16, 2026.

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