Comparison
BarLock vs Alarmy
Alarmy is the best-known mission alarm. BarLock is a newer iPhone alarm built around a single mission: scanning a real barcode. Here is how they differ.
The short version
Pick Alarmy for mission variety and Android support. Pick BarLock if the barcode scan is the only mission you want, with the rules built around it: AlarmKit system alarms, Lock Window, Backup Alerts, Wake-Up Check, Tiptoe Mode, 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 only, with Lock Window, Backup Alerts, and Wake-Up Check around it | 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 | Backup Alerts after early stops plus a Wake-Up Check, built into the core routine | Wake-up check available; availability varies by plan, as of this writing |
| Shared bedrooms | Tiptoe Mode mutes the alarm for a few seconds after Stop so you can reach the scan target without waking anyone | No equivalent, 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 a Lock Window, Backup Alerts, and a Wake-Up Check built around it.
- You share a bedroom and want Tiptoe Mode to keep the alarm quiet while you get to the scan target.
- 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 works. If you already use it happily, keep it. BarLock exists for a narrower case: an iPhone-native barcode alarm on AlarmKit with 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 a Lock Window, Backup Alerts, and a Wake-Up Check 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, Tiptoe Mode, custom Lock Window, Backup Alerts, and Wake-Up Check settings, and every alarm sound.