ScreenZen vs aLock
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
aLock
Manage your screen time effectively by setting usage limits for apps and automatically restricting them when limits are reached. This app helps users, including children, focus better by blocking distractions and inappropriate content. A free trial is available for premium features.
- Set app usage limits
- Automatic app restriction
- Manual app restriction/restoration
- Focus enhancement for children
- Distraction blocking
- Free trial for premium features
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It is a very useful screen time management app that allows you to set usage limits for apps and automatically restrict apps when the limit is reached. Additionally, you can manually restrict or restore applications as needed. - Use of social media and games can be limited to help children focus better and block inappropriate content. - A time limit for the app can be set to help you not get distracted by the app. Start a free trial to access all premium features - You can subscribe for unlimited access to all premium features - Within 24 hours before the end of the free trial period, the change fee calculated according to the subscription plan will be automatically debited from your account - You can cancel the auto-renewal at any time, if the cancellation occurs at least 24 hours before the end of the current period Support: tinfineapp@outlook.com Privacy Policy: https://decisive-store-bd5.notion.site/Privacy-Policy-3930ce2f70bf41df93666e029f0a1d19 Terms of Use: https://decisive-store-bd5.notion.site/Terms-Conditions-7dcac12bf71f41edbee0e260df02c563
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ratings volume: ScreenZen at 49K against aLock's 31. ScreenZen also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (93% vs 75%). On price, update cadence, 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. ScreenZen sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and aLock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
ScreenZen holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScreenZen has 49K ratings behind it against 31, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 93% of ScreenZen's written reviews are positive against 75% of aLock's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and August 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ScreenZen | aLock |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (49K ratings) — better | 4.6 (31 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 93.4% of reviews — better | 75.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 49K — better | 31 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | #158 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 159 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ScreenZen LLC | 裕涛 兰 |
Customer experience
ScreenZen
aLock
Bugs and 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
aLock
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
ScreenZen
- Kind Tip$5.00
- Generous Tip$10.00
- Amazing Tip$20.00
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- Fantastic Tip$40.00
aLock
- App Lock for 1 week3 Days trial$2.997 Days
- App Lock for 1 year3 Days trial$9.991 Year
- App Lock Premium$19.99
