Spotxel® Reader vs ScreenZen
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Spotxel® Reader
This app allows you to capture images of microplates, detect and measure color signals, and analyze sample concentrations. It supports various assay formats and can save, load, and export data.
- Capture microplate images
- Detect and measure color signals
- Analyze sample concentrations
- Save and load assay setups
- Export assay data to PDF
- Supports row, column, and microarray formats
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Spotxel® Reader is a free, feature-complete app for image-based microplate-reader workflows and colorimetric assay analysis. Use Spotxel® Reader to capture or load a microplate image, align the well grid, select the measured color channel, quantify well signals, define standards and unknowns, calculate a standard curve, derive unknown concentrations, review well data, and export assay results. The guided, page-based workflow includes Camera, Image Analysis, Assay Setup, Standard Curve, Well Data, Assay Report, Purchases, and Settings. Key features: - Capture or load microplate images for analysis - Quantify colorimetric well signals from plate images - Select the measured color channel - Align the well grid manually or with the Align Grid beta feature - Save and load reusable grid profiles - Define standards, unknowns, well names, and notes - Import and export assay setup CSV files - Calculate standard curves and unknown concentrations - Review sortable per-well signal and concentration data - Export well data as CSV - Create PDF assay reports - Organize generated files in the Spotxel Reader workspace under On My iPhone or On My iPad - Select camera and default microplate grid settings - Rotate and flip images and grids - Customize the interface with color profiles and light or dark appearance modes - Access expanded in-app help and documentation All analysis features are available in the free version, which includes a small advertising placement. The optional Perpetual License and auto-renewable 3-Month Subscription remove advertising. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
ScreenZen
This app offers multiple strategies to help you reduce screen time and control app usage. Features include delayed app opening, timed scrolling interruptions, and customizable app limits. It also provides options for strict blocking, settings protection, and encourages mindful breaks.
- Delayed app opening
- Scrolling interruption
- Set app goals and limits
- Configurable daily schedules
- Strict app blocking
- Screen time tracking for distracting apps
- Settings protection locks
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Multiple strategies to reduce your screentime 1. Delay before opening your app: A bit of time before choosing if you need to open your distracting app. You can have the wait time increase each time you open your app. 2. Interrupt your scrolling: Check your distracting apps for short periods of time so you don't get sucked in. 3. Set an app goal and optionally block when you reach your limit. 4. Configurable for different days of the week and time by app. 5. Messages like "Is this important" before opening your app. 6. See your screen time for only your distracting apps. Don't worry about Google Maps bloating up your time. 7. Strict block your apps: Either for time ranges, after a certain number of opens or ScreenTime. 8. Locks on Settings to prevent you from changing your settings when you want to open an app. 9. Breathing and other activities to encourage you not to need to open the app while waiting for it to unlock. 10. Streaks to encourage you not to exceed your limits or override your settings.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: ScreenZen at 4.9 against Spotxel® Reader's 2.4. ScreenZen also leads on ratings volume (53K vs 7) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Spotxel® Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and ScreenZen sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
ScreenZen holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScreenZen has 53K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of Spotxel® Reader's written reviews are positive against 93% of ScreenZen's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Spotxel® Reader ships an update every 2 months, ScreenZen every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Spotxel® Reader | ScreenZen |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.4 (7 ratings) | 4.9 (53K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 93.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 7 | 53K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #134 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 43 MB | 159 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sicasys Software GmbH | ScreenZen LLC |
Customer experience
Spotxel® Reader
ScreenZen
Bugs and requests
Spotxel® Reader
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
ScreenZen
Reported bugs
3 issues- Unlock button not working as expected
- App stops working after some time
- Compatibility issues with iOS 16 update
Requested features
4 requests- Add more customization options
- Integrate with productivity/to-do apps
- Add more pause/break options
- Improve website blocking functionality
In-app purchases
Spotxel® Reader
- Time-Unlimited License$8.99
ScreenZen
- Kind Tip$5.00
- Generous Tip$10.00
- Amazing Tip$20.00
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- Fantastic Tip$40.00









