# Barcode Alarm Clock vs Challenges Alarm Clock

The clearest difference is rating: Barcode Alarm Clock at 4.4 against Challenges Alarm Clock's 3.8. Barcode Alarm Clock also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (51% vs 26%). Challenges Alarm Clock's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Challenges Alarm Clock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Barcode Alarm Clock asks for nothing beyond the download.

Barcode Alarm Clock holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.2K and 2.3K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of Barcode Alarm Clock's written reviews are positive against 26% of Challenges Alarm Clock's.

Barcode Alarm Clock ships an update every 4 months, Challenges Alarm Clock monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barcode Alarm Clock | Challenges Alarm Clock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-alarm-clock/id699437630/reviews)** | [3.8 (2.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/challenges-alarm-clock/id1247289889/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1.2K | **2.3K** |
| Positive reviews | **50.6% of reviews** | 26.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 77 MB | 44 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jarig Duval](https://appshunter.io/developer/539738096) | [duytu tran](https://appshunter.io/developer/1244491336) |

## What reviewers say

### Barcode Alarm Clock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-alarm-clock/id699437630)

This app is a loud alarm clock designed for heavy sleepers. It requires scanning a barcode to turn off, forcing you out of bed. Features include customizable loud ringtones, lockable alarms, and a 'don't wake my spouse' option.

**Highlights:** Barcode scan to stop alarm, Blaringly loud ringtones, Impossible to mute alarms, Lockable alarms to prevent cheating, Bedtime reminder and enforcer, Don't wake my spouse button, Customizable themes and clock faces

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Effective at waking up
- 👍 Innovative concept
- 🚀 Forces you to get out of bed
- 👍 Helps with sleep disorder

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 🔋 Drains battery
- 🔒 Easy to bypass alarm
- 🔒 Alarm doesn't work on silent

**Reported bugs**

- Alarm doesn't go off sometimes
- Barcode scanner not working properly
- Constant background crash notifications

**Requested features**

- Add option to disable 'Plan B' feature
- Allow importing custom ringtones
- Improve stability and reduce crashes
- Ensure alarm works even on silent mode


### Challenges Alarm Clock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/challenges-alarm-clock/id1247289889)

This alarm clock uses challenging games to ensure you wake up on time. It eliminates snooze and offers bedtime reminders with a clean interface. Turn your mornings into a game and never oversleep again.

**Highlights:** Unstoppable alarm with challenge games, No snooze or stop button, Bedtime reminder notifications, Clean and modern interface, Math, Maze, Shake, Remember Number, Lucky 777 games

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium 1 month | $2.99 | per month |
| Premium 1 year | $9.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Good app that wakes up user
- 🔔 Alarm is effective at waking up heavy sleepers
- 🧠 Challenges help get brain working in the morning

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🚫 Ads make the app unusable
- 🔇 Alarm doesn't make any sound, only vibrates
- 🤯 Challenges are too difficult or confusing
- ⏰ Alarm turns off on its own without completing challenges

**Reported bugs**

- Alarm doesn't go off at scheduled time
- App crashes when trying to set alarm
- Notifications and messages are glitchy or inappropriate

**Requested features**

- More customizable alarm sounds and challenges
- Option to choose specific challenge type
- Ability to set own custom challenges


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Barcode Alarm Clock free?

Barcode Alarm Clock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Challenges Alarm Clock free?

Challenges Alarm Clock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Barcode Alarm Clock or Challenges Alarm Clock?

Barcode Alarm Clock is rated higher. Barcode Alarm Clock averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Challenges Alarm Clock averages 3.8 from 2.3K ratings.

### Do Barcode Alarm Clock or Challenges Alarm Clock have ads?

Both Barcode Alarm Clock and Challenges Alarm Clock show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Barcode Alarm Clock or Challenges Alarm Clock?

Barcode Alarm Clock ships an update every 4 months, and Challenges Alarm Clock monthly. Most recently, Barcode Alarm Clock was updated on September 22, 2026 and Challenges Alarm Clock on September 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*