Comparison

ScreenZen vs LockMe

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

LockMe

Control app usage on your device or for your children with time and location-based restrictions. Automate app blocking, minimize distractions, and protect sensitive information for a balanced digital life.

Highlights
  • Time-based app restrictions
  • Location-based app blocking
  • Automated app access control
  • Minimize distractions
  • Protect sensitive apps
  • App grouping management
Features
Read full description

Take charge of your apps usage or your child's digital world with LockMe. This cutting-edge app helps you to set precise time or location-based a Block restrictions on any apps on your iOS device. Ensure a privacy of your apps and balanced lifestyle and responsible device habits effortlessly for you or your children Amazing Benefits: - Restrict access to certain apps on your own device or your child device during specific hours or locations. - Automate the restriction or blocking of apps during specific time intervals. - Block access to your personal or sensitive apps with one click on specific times or location automatically - Minimize distractions during work hours by automatically Restrict access to social media or gaming apps, - Prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information on your device or your kids device. - Adjust your apps accessibility based on your location or time of the day, ensuring certain apps are restricted or locked in specific places. - Avoid constant disturbances apps notifications and temporarily disable there notifications automatically on specific time or location 1. Smart Time Controls: App lock lets you fine-tune apps access with custom time restrictions. Tailor usage limits for different apps during school hours, work time, home, study time, and bedtime. Encourage focused activities while preventing excessive screen time effortlessly. 2. Location-Based Management: Unlock the potential of location-based controls. Designate safe zones and customize app availability accordingly. Allow only the apps you choose to be active on a certain location of youre choice, 3. Apps Groups Management: With App Lock, Group apps into financial apps, social apps, education, games, entertainment, and more. Adjust access based on app types, ensuring a balanced blend of learning and leisure. The app offers Unlimited Access to all the features for auto renew Subscription: * Subscription payments will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of your purchase and upon commencement of each renewal term. Subscription with a free trial period will automatically renew to a paid subscription. You can cancel your subscription or free trial in the iTunes settings at least 24-hours before the end of the free trial period. The cancellation will take effect the day after the last day of the current subscription period and you will be downgraded to the free service. Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/tysongillprivacypolicy Terms of use: https://sites.google.com/view/tysontermsofuse

Screenshots

ScreenZen4 screens
LockMe4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ScreenZen at 93% against LockMe's 47%. ScreenZen also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ratings volume (49K vs 229). 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 LockMe sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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 229, 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 47% of LockMe's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
ScreenZen versus LockMe: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenZenLockMe
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (49K ratings) — better4.6 (229 ratings)
Positive reviews93.4% of reviews — better46.7% of reviews
Number of ratings49K — better229
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#159 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.416.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size159 MB49 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperScreenZen LLCTyson Gill

Customer experience

ScreenZen

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

LockMe

All ratings229 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral3.9%
Negative5.7%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive46.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative53.3%

User reviews

ScreenZen

From 49K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 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

Room to improve

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

LockMe

From 229 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great for protecting kids
  • 👍 Useful for restricting apps
  • 👍 Helps with homework focus
  • 👍 Good for safeguarding children
  • 👍 App ran smoothly (one instance)

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App freezes frequently
  • 🐛 App does not lock apps
  • 🐛 Cannot access app after forgetting PIN
  • 🐛 App requires premium for full functionality
  • 🐛 Misleading promo for free lifetime premium

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

LockMe

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • App does not lock apps
  • App freezes during use
  • App crashes when trying to turn on Face ID
  • App is locked out after setting passcode
  • App crashes when Face ID option is turned off
Show 1 more
  • Face ID unlock not getting enabled

Requested features

2 requests
  • Option to reset PIN
  • More free functionality

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
8 purchases

LockMe

Subscriptions7
  • App Lock Unlimited$7.997 Days
  • LockMe Pro$7.997 Days
  • App Lock Unlimited$9.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • LockMe Pro$12.991 Month
  • App Lock Unlimited$24.991 Year
  • Lock Unlimited Apps3 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • LockMe Pro3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • App Lock Unlimited$79.99

Questions

Is ScreenZen free?
ScreenZen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LockMe free?
LockMe is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ScreenZen or LockMe?
ScreenZen is rated higher. ScreenZen averages 4.9 out of 5 from 49K ratings, while LockMe averages 4.6 from 229 ratings.
Do ScreenZen or LockMe have ads?
Neither ScreenZen nor LockMe shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ScreenZen or LockMe?
ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, and LockMe every 3 weeks. Most recently, ScreenZen was updated on September 24, 2026 and LockMe on September 19, 2026.

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