Lockish vs Other App Lockers on Mac: What Actually Works?
There aren't many options for locking individual apps on macOS. Here's how Lockish compares to AppCrypt, AppLocker, and macOS's built-in screen lock.
The Per-App Locking Problem on Mac
macOS has no built-in way to lock individual apps. You can lock your entire Mac with a screen lock (Control+Command+Q), but there's no middle ground. Either everything is accessible or nothing is.
This is a problem if you share a Mac with family, step away from your desk at work, or just want casual privacy on sensitive apps like banking, messaging, or password managers.
The options are limited, but here's what exists.
macOS Screen Lock (Free)
The built-in approach: lock your entire Mac when you walk away. It's reliable and requires no third-party tools.
The downside is that it's all-or-nothing. If you just want to protect your banking app while leaving Spotify and your browser accessible, screen lock doesn't help. You're constantly locking and unlocking your entire machine.
Best for: People who want full device security and don't mind the inconvenience.
Cisdem AppCrypt ($30)
AppCrypt uses a master password to lock apps. You set a password, choose which apps to protect, and entering a locked app requires typing the password.
It works, but the experience feels dated. Password entry is slower than biometric authentication, especially if you're unlocking apps frequently throughout the day. The UI hasn't been updated in a while.
Best for: People who don't have Touch ID and want password-based app locking.
AppLocker (Free/Paid)
AppLocker is a simpler tool that blocks access to specified apps. Reviews are mixed — some users report reliability issues with newer macOS versions, and the app hasn't been consistently updated.
Best for: A quick free option if you just want basic blocking and don't mind occasional issues.
Lockish
Lockish uses Touch ID (or Face ID / device passcode) instead of a master password. Protected apps get a full overlay that hides their content, and unlocking takes less than a second with your fingerprint.
The key differentiators are automatic idle locking (each app has its own configurable timeout — lock your banking app after 2 minutes of inactivity but keep your browser unlocked), Touch ID authentication throughout (unlocking, quitting the app, and removing protected apps all require biometric auth), and system event awareness (all protected apps lock automatically when your Mac sleeps, the screen locks, or the display turns off).
Best for: People who want fast, convenient per-app protection with biometric authentication.
Feature Comparison
The main differences come down to authentication method, idle lock support, and system integration.
AppCrypt and AppLocker use passwords. Lockish uses Touch ID. For something you might unlock dozens of times a day, biometric authentication is noticeably faster.
Only Lockish has per-app idle timers that automatically re-lock apps after a configurable period of inactivity. The others require manual locking or screen lock.
Lockish also handles system events — sleep, screen lock, display off — automatically locking all protected apps. This means you don't need to remember to lock anything when you step away.
Pricing
macOS Screen Lock is free. AppLocker has a free tier. Cisdem AppCrypt is $30. Lockish is a one-time purchase with a free 7-day trial.
The Bottom Line
If you just need to lock your entire Mac, the built-in screen lock is fine and free.
If you want per-app protection, your choice depends on whether you have Touch ID. With Touch ID, Lockish is the fastest and most convenient option — unlocking is instant, idle timers mean you don't have to think about it, and system events keep you protected automatically.
Without Touch ID, AppCrypt's password approach works but is slower for frequent use. Lockish still works with device passcode as a fallback, but the experience is best with biometric authentication.