AppBlock vs Hikage

AppBlock helps manage screen time by blocking distracting apps, websites, URLs, and keywords. Users can create profiles that start automatically by time, day, location, or connected Wi-Fi. Strict Mode makes blocks harder to bypass and includes Cooldown and third-party approval options. Usage limits, app and website tracking, and reports show screen-time habits over time. Allowlist Mode blocks everything except selected essential apps. The iOS feature list includes schedules, Strict Mode, Quick Block, Allowlist, approval access, and Pomodoro sessions. Extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Brave offer Quick Block and scheduled website blocking. The maker presents uses for work, students, parents, ADHD, mental health, and well-being. Its privacy policy says core blocking rules, screen content read for blocking, and detailed usage statistics are processed locally, subject to stated exceptions. Installed-app package names are sent to servers for category-based blocking, and backups upload blocking configuration when that feature is used. The Free plan costs nothing and has platform-specific limits; a 7-day trial is listed.

Hikage is a macOS app that records app and website activity locally so users can review a usage timeline. It tracks app switches in the background and estimates screen time using keyboard and mouse activity, playback status, and sleep state. Statistics include daily and monthly views, per-app figures, sunburst and treemap displays, and an app-stream view. A relationship graph combines app switch counts with each app’s share of switches. Users can create categories and subcategories, merge or exclude items, and customize statistics layouts. For supported browsers, Hikage normally saves the hostname, browser identity, time, and private-browsing status rather than full URLs. It does not record typed text, keystrokes, pointer coordinates, clipboard contents, window titles, screen images, or media titles. With permission, it can generate calendar event candidates from activity records and add them to Apple Calendar. The free plan includes local recording, export, iCloud Backup, and daily and per-app statistics. A one-time Personal Perpetual License costs 9.00 USD and includes all features, future updates, and activation on two Macs. It is intended for personal activity review, not attendance, billing, medical, safety, or evidence use.