# Spotxel® Reader vs ScreenZen

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Spotxel® Reader | ScreenZen |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.4 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spotxel-reader/id1340235876/reviews) | **[4.9 (53K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenzen-screen-time-control/id1541027222/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 7 | **53K** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 93.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#134** |
| Size | 43 MB | 159 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sicasys Software GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1340235875) | [ScreenZen LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1541021087) |

## What reviewers say

### Spotxel® Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spotxel-reader/id1340235876)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Time-Unlimited License | $8.99 | one-time |


### ScreenZen

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenzen-screen-time-control/id1541027222)

**Currently charting:** #134 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Kind Tip | $5.00 | one-time |
| Generous Tip | $10.00 | one-time |
| Amazing Tip | $20.00 | one-time |
| Fantastic Tip | $40.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Completely reversed my scrolling addiction
- 🚀 Helps manage screen time
- 👍 Excellent app, easy to use
- 👍 Genuinely the best screentime app out there
- 👍 Effective in avoiding doom scrolling

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy, sometimes doesn't unlock apps
- 🐛 Notifications can't break through
- 🐛 Inconsistent UI across devices

**Reported bugs**

- Unlock button not working as expected
- App stops working after some time
- Compatibility issues with iOS 16 update

**Requested features**

- Add more customization options
- Integrate with productivity/to-do apps
- Add more pause/break options
- Improve website blocking functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Spotxel® Reader free?

Spotxel® Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is ScreenZen free?

ScreenZen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Spotxel® Reader or ScreenZen?

ScreenZen is rated higher. Spotxel® Reader averages 2.4 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while ScreenZen averages 4.9 from 53K ratings.

### Do Spotxel® Reader or ScreenZen have ads?

Neither Spotxel® Reader nor ScreenZen shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Spotxel® Reader or ScreenZen?

Spotxel® Reader ships an update every 2 months, and ScreenZen every 3 weeks. Most recently, Spotxel® Reader was updated on November 2, 2026 and ScreenZen on November 5, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*