LatchIs there an app blocker without a subscription?
Yes. Latch Pro is a one-time $9.99 purchase, and the free version of Latch covers one key, three profiles and two places. ScreenZen and Foqos are free with optional tips. one sec, Jomo and Freedom sell lifetime plans alongside their subscriptions, and Brick is a $59 device you buy once.
We make Latch, so read this with that in mind. Prices come from each app's US App Store listing or website, checked October 2026, and link to their sources.
App blockers you can pay for once
| App | Pay once | Subscription | How it stops you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latch Our pick | Free; Pro $9.99 once | None | Locked until you scan a key you keep elsewhere, or walk your steps |
| ScreenZen | Free; optional tips (App Store) | None | A delay before opening, and strict blocks |
| Foqos | Free; optional tips (App Store) | None | Locked until you tap an NFC tag or scan a code (iPhone only) |
| Brick | $59 per device (source) | None mentioned on getbrick.com | Locked until you tap the Brick |
| one sec | $99.99 lifetime (App Store) | $6.99 a month or $19.99 a year | A short pause before the app opens |
| Jomo | $99.99 lifetime (App Store) | $5.99 a month or $29.99 a year | Rules, strict mode and unlock tasks |
| Freedom | $199 Freedom Forever (App Store) | $8.99 a month or $39.99 a year | Timed block sessions across devices |
US App Store prices. Jomo's listing also shows a $84.99 lifetime price, and freedom.to showed Freedom's lifetime plan on sale at $99.50 when we checked. App names are trademarks of their owners; Latch isn't affiliated with any of them.
Subscription-only blockers, for comparison
Several popular blockers are sold mainly as subscriptions. On the US App Store, Opal is $19.99 a month or $99.99 a year (App Store), ClearSpace Premium is $6.99 a month or $44.99 a year (App Store), and AppBlock Premium starts at $4.99 a month or $29.99 a year (App Store). Unpluq sells a Premium subscription for 3, 6 or 12 months, from $29 (source).
What three years cost
| App | Year 1 | 3 years |
|---|---|---|
| Latch Pro | $9.99 | $9.99 |
| one sec pro, yearly | $19.99 | $59.97 |
| Jomo Plus, yearly | $29.99 | $89.97 |
| Freedom Premium, yearly | $39.99 | $119.97 |
| ClearSpace Premium, yearly | $44.99 | $134.97 |
| Opal, yearly | $99.99 | $299.97 |
Yearly prices from each app's US App Store listing, multiplied out, before any discounts or trials.
Why Latch is a one-time purchase
Latch keeps everything on your phone. There are no accounts, no ads and no analytics, and on iPhone your app choices stay in Apple's Screen Time on the device. Latch Pro adds unlimited keys, profiles and places, schedules, daily limits, commitment mode, lock while driving, key hours, a steps key and full history, and it doesn't renew.
The key costs little too. It's any NTAG213, NTAG215 or NTAG216 sticker, a few cents each, or a QR code you print for free. The Latch Key Kit is three stickers and three QR keys for $7.99 with free US shipping, also a one-time purchase.
How to choose
A free option may be enough if
- a pause before opening an app stops you: ScreenZen
- you only use an iPhone and want an NFC blocker: Foqos
Pick Latch if
- you want a lock that only opens with a key in another room
- you use Android, iPhone or iPad
- you want locking by place, while driving or by voice
- you want to pay $9.99 once and be done
Common questions
Is there an app blocker without a subscription?
Yes. Latch Pro is a one-time $9.99 purchase, and Latch is free with one key, three profiles and two places. ScreenZen and Foqos are free with optional tips. one sec, Jomo and Freedom offer lifetime plans next to their subscriptions, and Brick is a $59 device.
What is the cheapest one-time app blocker?
ScreenZen and Foqos are free. Among paid one-time options we checked, Latch Pro at $9.99 is the lowest; the lifetime plans for one sec and Jomo are $99.99 on the US App Store, and Freedom Forever is $199 there.
Does Latch Pro renew?
No. Latch Pro is a single $9.99 purchase through the App Store or Google Play, and it doesn't renew. A purchase on iPhone doesn't carry over to Android, or the other way round.
What do I get without paying anything?
Latch's free version has one key, three profiles and two places. Latch Pro adds unlimited keys, profiles and places, schedules, daily limits, commitment mode, lock while driving, key hours, a steps key and full history.
Pay once, walk to unlock
Latch is out now on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, and on Google Play (Android 9 and later).
Last updated by Sudarshan Neupane, founder of Lukla Logic. See also: all app blockers compared.