Comparison

ScreenZen vs Screen Time Control

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

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
Read full description

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.

About

Screen Time Control

Regain control of your productivity by restricting access to distracting apps. Set daily limits, schedules, and receive reminders to stay focused and reduce impulse usage. Improve your attention and build healthier mobile habits.

Highlights
  • Restrict access to selected apps
  • Block apps during focus sessions
  • Set daily app time limits
  • Schedule app blocking times
  • Receive time limit reminders
  • Reduce distractions and multitasking
Read full description

Features • Select the apps you want to restrict access to and regain control of your productivity. • Block apps while focused, and you can always take a break to temporarily unblock them. • Set app limits, block when a daily limits is reached (ex. 30 minutes). • Get timely reminder notifications when reach a time limits. • Set schedules for when to block apps (ex. every weekday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). • Helps you control impulse clicks, reduce social media opens. • Work better by reducing distractions and multitasking. • Be more mindful of how you invest your time and attention. • Reduce the use of mobile phone and maintain good health habits. • Get a better night's sleep without getting lost in the scroll. Most of the app's content is free. Some selected features require the purchase of a full version in the app. These prices are in U.S. dollars (USD) and pricing may vary in other currencies and countries. Actual fees may be converted to your local currency, depending on your country of residence. Tips App Lock use Apple's Screen Time API in order to block apps. App Lock can't access and will never see your private data (apps used, what you've viewed, etc). Works entirely on your phone and personal browsing data never leaves your device.

Screenshots

ScreenZen4 screens
Screen Time Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ScreenZen at 93% against Screen Time Control's 50%. ScreenZen also leads on chart position (#176 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ScreenZen sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Screen Time Control sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, Screen Time Control monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
ScreenZen versus Screen Time Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenZenScreen Time Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (49K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews93.4% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings49K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#176 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.4 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size159 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperScreenZen LLCDeebex Tech Ltd.

Customer experience

ScreenZen

All ratings48,969 ratings
Positive97.2%
Neutral1.2%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews6,446 reviews
Positive93.4%
Neutral2.7%
Negative3.9%

Screen Time Control

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

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

Screen Time Control

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

ScreenZen

One-time4
  • Kind Tip$5.00
  • Generous Tip$10.00
  • Amazing Tip$20.00
Show 1 more
  • Fantastic Tip$40.00
1 purchases

Screen Time Control

One-time1
  • Upgrade to Pro$19.99

Questions

Is ScreenZen free?
ScreenZen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Screen Time Control free?
Screen Time Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ScreenZen or Screen Time Control have ads?
Neither ScreenZen nor Screen Time Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ScreenZen or Screen Time Control?
ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, and Screen Time Control monthly. Most recently, ScreenZen was updated on September 25, 2026 and Screen Time Control on August 27, 2026.

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