Prayer Lock vs Hallow: which prayer app is right for you?
Hallow and Prayer Lock are both built to help you pray — but they solve different halves of the problem. Hallow gives you a vast library of guided prayer to listen to. Prayer Lock makes sure you actually stop scrolling and pray in the first place. Here's an honest comparison so you can pick the right one, or use both.
The core difference
Hallow is a guided audio prayer and meditation app. You open it to listen to rosaries, meditations, Scripture, and sleep content — a huge, professionally produced library. It is something you choose to open.
Prayer Lock is a phone blocker. You pick the distracting apps that pull you away — social media, news, games — and Prayer Lock keeps them locked until you pray. It doesn't hand you prayer content; it clears the space and enforces the habit, so prayer comes before the feed.
Side-by-side comparison
| Prayer Lock | Hallow | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Blocks distracting apps until you pray | Guided audio prayer & meditation library |
| Blocks your phone until you pray | Yes | No |
| Guided prayer content | Your own prayer time | 10,000+ guided sessions |
| Daily prayer streak | Yes | Reminders & challenges |
| Reduces screen time | Yes | Not a focus of the app |
| Platforms | iPhone (Android coming soon) | iOS, Android, web |
| Tradition | Christian (any tradition) | Christian, strong Catholic emphasis |
| Price | Affordable subscription | Free tier + paid Hallow Plus subscription |
Hallow's features and pricing are based on its public App Store listing and website and may change — check Hallow directly for the latest.
When Hallow is the better choice
If what you want is a deep, guided prayer and meditation experience — rosaries, Lectio Divina, Scripture, sleep prayers, hundreds of hours of professionally produced audio — Hallow is excellent and hard to beat, especially for Catholic devotions. If your struggle is "I want rich content to pray along with," Hallow is built for that.
When Prayer Lock is the better choice
If your real struggle is that you reach for your phone before you ever pray — that the scroll wins every morning — then a content library alone won't fix it, because opening it is still optional. Prayer Lock is built for that exact problem: it blocks the apps that hijack your attention until you've prayed, and tracks your streak so the habit sticks. Choose Prayer Lock when the hard part isn't what to pray, but actually stopping to pray at all.
You can use both
These two aren't really rivals. A natural setup: let Prayer Lock block your distracting apps each morning, and let Hallow be the guided prayer you pray during that protected time. One clears the space; the other fills it.
Pray before you scroll
Prayer Lock blocks your phone until you pray. On iPhone.
Download Prayer LockFrequently asked questions
Does Hallow block your phone or apps until you pray?
No. Hallow does not block or lock other apps or your phone — it is a standalone audio prayer app. Blocking distracting apps until you pray is what Prayer Lock does.
Can I use Prayer Lock and Hallow together?
Yes. Prayer Lock blocks your distracting apps until you pray, and Hallow can be the guided prayer you pray during that time.
Is Prayer Lock free?
No — Prayer Lock is a paid subscription, priced to be more affordable than most prayer apps. Hallow offers a free tier plus a paid Hallow Plus subscription.