How each one works
Pray Shield. You pick apps such as Instagram or TikTok with Apple's Screen Time picker. When you open one, Pray Shield shows a short pause with a Bible verse and a prayer. Then you continue for a reason or put the phone down. There are no scores and no streak pressure.
PrayLock. You choose apps or categories and give PrayLock Screen Time permission. Opening a protected app shows a PrayLock screen. You open PrayLock and pray through a timed prayer, which is 30 seconds by default and can be set from 5 seconds to 5 minutes. You can also read three verses first. Then your apps unlock.
Side by side
| Pray Shield | PrayLock | |
|---|---|---|
| When it appears | Each time you open a chosen app | Before your apps unlock, once a day (Daily Devotion) or before each session (Mindful Moments, 5–60 min) |
| What you do | Read a verse and a prayer, then choose | Pray through a timed prayer (default 30 s), optionally read 3 verses first |
| Uses Apple Screen Time | Yes | Yes |
| Bible | Offline Bible reading and search (Plus) | Swipeable Bible feed (World English Bible) with study notes |
| Prayer for others | Private prayer requests (Plus) | Prayer list for loved ones (notes need a purchase) |
| Streaks and stats | No scores or streaks, by design | Prayer stats and streaks |
| Free vs paid | Choosing apps is free. The prayer pause, Rosary guide, Divine Mercy Chaplet and traditional prayers are free for everyone. Pray Shield Plus adds offline Bible reading and search, the Rule of Life, the full guided prayer library, and Eden with a lamb and gentle nature sounds. | Free download. Many features need PrayLock Pro |
| US prices listed (checked 5 Oct 2026) | $6.99/week, $49.99/year, $69.99 lifetime | $4.99/week, annual $9.99 or $39.99 |
| Requirements | iPhone, iOS 17 or later | iPhone, iOS 18 or later |
| App Store languages | 23, including German | English |
Where PrayLock is the better fit
- You want to pray once a day and then move on. PrayLock's Daily Devotion mode keeps apps open until your daily reset. Pray Shield doesn't offer that mode.
- You want control over timing. PrayLock lets you set the prayer length and the session length.
- You want a Bible feed to swipe instead of social media. PrayLock builds that in.
- You want stats and streaks. PrayLock shows them. Pray Shield deliberately doesn't.
- You want a longer track record. PrayLock has far more App Store ratings than Pray Shield, which is a young app.
Where Pray Shield is the better fit
- You want a pause, not a gate. Pray Shield meets you at every chosen app and then trusts you with the choice.
- You want no scoreboard. Prayer isn't a performance, so there are no scores and no streak pressure.
- You use your phone in another language. Pray Shield's App Store listing covers 23 languages, including German.
- You're on iOS 17. PrayLock needs iOS 18.
How to decide
Ask which moment breaks down for you. If you forget to pray at all, a once-a-day prayer unlock may be enough. If the trouble is the tenth automatic tap on Instagram, a short pause before each opening is closer to the problem. Try one app for a week, then adjust.
Sources and further reading: PrayLock on the App Store · PrayLock website · PrayLock FAQ · Pray Shield on the App Store · How Pray Shield works · All Christian app blockers compared
Frequently asked questions
Are Pray Shield and PrayLock the same app?
No. Pray Shield is made by Damian Witkowski, and PrayLock is made by Ruvix Ltd. Both are Christian app blockers for iPhone that use Apple Screen Time.
Which one has a once-a-day mode?
PrayLock. Its Daily Devotion mode unlocks your apps until your daily reset after one prayer. Pray Shield shows its pause each time you open a chosen app.
Which is cheaper?
On 5 October 2026 the US App Store listed PrayLock Pro at $4.99/week and annual plans at $9.99 or $39.99. Pray Shield Plus was $6.99/week, $49.99/year or $69.99 lifetime. In Pray Shield, choosing apps is free. Prices vary by country.
Do both work on Android or iPad?
Neither has an Android version. PrayLock says it has no separate iPad version. Pray Shield is made for iPhone.
Is either app available in German?
Pray Shield's App Store listing includes German among 23 languages. PrayLock's listing is in English.