# Barcode Alarm Clock Pro vs Challenges Alarm Clock

The clearest difference is price: Challenges Alarm Clock at Free against Barcode Alarm Clock Pro's $14.99. Challenges Alarm Clock also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 7 months) and ratings volume (2.3K vs 150). Barcode Alarm Clock Pro's advantage is rating (4.3 vs 3.8) and ads (none vs shown). On in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Challenges Alarm Clock is free to download; Barcode Alarm Clock Pro costs $14.99 up front. Barcode Alarm Clock Pro sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Challenges Alarm Clock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Barcode Alarm Clock Pro holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Challenges Alarm Clock has 2.3K ratings behind it against 150, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of Barcode Alarm Clock Pro's written reviews are positive against 26% of Challenges Alarm Clock's.

Barcode Alarm Clock Pro ships an update every 7 months, Challenges Alarm Clock monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Barcode Alarm Clock Pro | Challenges Alarm Clock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $14.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.3 (150 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-alarm-clock-pro/id731358084/reviews)** | [3.8 (2.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/challenges-alarm-clock/id1247289889/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 150 | **2.3K** |
| Positive reviews | **51.4% of reviews** | 26.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 49 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 Pro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barcode-alarm-clock-pro/id731358084)

This alarm clock forces you out of bed by requiring you to scan a barcode to turn off its loud, unpredictable ringtones. It offers customizable features, multiple alarms, and motivational tools to improve sleep habits and morning routines.

**Highlights:** Barcode scan to dismiss alarm, Blaringly loud, procedural ringtones, Impossible to mute or cancel alarms, Multiple and repeating alarms, Bedtime reminder and enforcer, Don't wake spouse button, Customizable clock faces and themes

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| STOP THE ALARM | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Effective for waking deep sleepers
- 👍 Great concept and motivation
- 🚀 Works as intended for some
- 👍 Helps with ADHD and focus
- 👍 Forces users out of bed

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Constantly crashing
- 🐛 Alarms failing to go off
- 🐛 Background mode crashing
- 🐛 Unreliable and unstable
- 🐛 Expensive for poor execution

**Reported bugs**

- App continually crashing
- Background mode crashing
- Alarm failing to go off
- Alarm not ringing on silent/DND
- App freezes during barcode scan

**Requested features**

- Playlist option for alarms
- Ability to rotate songs or use music playlist
- Check off lists for each alarm
- Timer feature
- Alarm auto-on or reminder to set alarm


### 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 Pro free?

Barcode Alarm Clock Pro costs $14.99, and also offers 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 Pro or Challenges Alarm Clock?

Barcode Alarm Clock Pro is rated higher. Barcode Alarm Clock Pro averages 4.3 out of 5 from 150 ratings, while Challenges Alarm Clock averages 3.8 from 2.3K ratings.

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

Challenges Alarm Clock shows ads; Barcode Alarm Clock Pro does not.

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

Barcode Alarm Clock Pro ships an update every 7 months, and Challenges Alarm Clock monthly. Most recently, Barcode Alarm Clock Pro was updated on September 26, 2026 and Challenges Alarm Clock on September 25, 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.*