Comparison
BarLock vs Alarmy
Alarmy is the best-known mission alarm in the world. BarLock is a newer iPhone alarm built around a single mission: scanning a real barcode. Here is how they actually differ.
The short version
Pick Alarmy for mission variety and Android support. Pick BarLock if you want the barcode mission done deeply on iOS: AlarmKit system alarms, lock windows, re-ring, wake checks, and a one-time purchase instead of a subscription.
Side by side
BarLock and Alarmy, compared.
| Dimension | BarLock | Alarmy |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | iPhone only, built on AlarmKit system alarms | iPhone and Android |
| Dismissal missions | Barcode and QR scan, done deeply | Large mission library: math, photo, shake, steps, typing, QR scan, and more |
| Pricing model | Free core routine, one-time Lifetime Pro | Free tier with ads; most power features sit behind a subscription, as of this writing |
| After dismissal | Re-ring after early stops plus a wake check, built into the core routine | Wake-up check available; availability varies by plan, as of this writing |
| Scope | An alarm clock, nothing else | Alarm plus sleep sounds, sleep tracking, and a broader sleep suite |
Choose BarLock if
- You are on iPhone and want alarms that ring through the system, not a background audio session.
- The mission you actually use is the barcode or QR scan, and you want lock windows, re-ring, and wake checks built around it.
- You prefer paying once over subscribing.
- You want an alarm clock without a sleep-content ecosystem attached.
Choose Alarmy if
- You need Android, or one app across both platforms.
- You like rotating mission types: math problems, photo missions, steps, shake.
- You want sleep tracking and sleep sounds bundled with the alarm.
To be fair
Alarmy earned its reputation. It has been waking people up for more than a decade and its mission library is genuinely effective. If you already use it happily, keep it. BarLock exists for the narrower case it serves best: an iPhone-native barcode alarm with modern system integration and no subscription.
FAQ
Common questions.
Is BarLock a good Alarmy alternative on iPhone?
If the mission you actually use is the QR or barcode scan, yes. BarLock builds its whole routine around that one mission on iOS, with lock windows, re-ring, and wake checks included.
Does BarLock have math or photo missions like Alarmy?
No. BarLock is deliberately single-mission: scan the barcode or QR code you chose. If you want a rotating library of dismissal tasks, Alarmy is the better fit.
Is BarLock subscription-free?
Yes. The core routine is free, and Lifetime Pro is a one-time purchase that unlocks unlimited protected alarms, longer lock windows, custom re-ring timing, and premium sounds.