Comparison

ScreenZen vs StepBloc

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

StepBloc

This app helps you reduce screen time by requiring physical activity to unlock distracting apps. Earn your app access by completing workouts like push-ups, squats, or reaching step goals. Take control of your digital habits and improve your health simultaneously.

Highlights
  • Earn app access through push-ups, squats, or steps
  • Block distracting apps until goals are met
  • App blocking scheduler
  • Set daily usage limits
  • Track focus minutes
  • Digital habit insights and reports
  • HealthKit integration for step tracking
Features
Read full description

StepBloc lets you earn your screen time by doing Push-ups, Squats and other workouts. For example, you need to do 10 push-ups to use instagram for 10 mins. Just follow 3 simple steps: +Choose the distracting apps. +Set your goal (Push-ups, Squats, or Steps). +Move! Apps stay blocked until your goal is hit. Why should you download StepBloc? + Control how much time you spend on distracting apps. + Reduce your screen time. + Stay healthy by staying active. + Reclaim your focus. Key Features: + Steps to unblock: Distracted apps are blocked unless you completed required number of steps. + Push-Ups to unblock: Distracted apps are blocked unless you completed required number of Push-Ups. + Squats to unblock: Distracted apps are blocked unless you completed required number of Squats. + App Blocking Scheduler: Set specific times to block distracting apps, ensuring uninterrupted focus during work, study, or leisure time. + Usage Limits: Define daily usage limits for your distracted apps. + Focus Tracker: Measure your daily focus minutes and block distracting apps until you complete your focus minute target. + Insights: Gain valuable insights into your digital habits with detailed analytics and reports. + Secure and Private: Rest assured that your data is safe with StepBloc. All of your data stays in the device. Take control of your digital distractions, reclaim your focus, and unlock your full potential with StepBloc. Download now and experience the transformative power of mindful device management! The Monthly Pass Subscribe to monthly pass to get unlimited access to blocks. - Your payment will be charged to your iTunes Account as soon as you confirm your purchase. - Your subscription will renew automatically unless you turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - When you cancel a subscription, your subscription will stay active until the end of the period. - While cancelling, Auto-renewal will be disabled, but the current subscription will not be refunded By using the app, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use: Terms: https://hamsters.tech/stepbloc-t-c Privacy: https://hamsters.tech/stepbloc-privacy-policy HealthKit Integration: StepBloc accesses your step count data from HealthKit to incentivize healthy habits. By linking your daily step count with app usage, StepBloc rewards you with app access based on your physical activity level. This integration encourages movement and ensures that you strike a balance between screen time and physical wellness. Note: HealthKit data is used only if user decides to use Step Block as the blocking method in app.

Screenshots

ScreenZen4 screens
StepBloc4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ScreenZen at 93% against StepBloc's 64%. ScreenZen also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (49K vs 485). StepBloc's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 StepBloc sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. 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 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScreenZen has 49K ratings behind it against 485, 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 64% of StepBloc's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, StepBloc weekly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
ScreenZen versus StepBloc: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenZenStepBloc
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (49K ratings) — better4.5 (485 ratings)
Positive reviews93.4% of reviews — better63.9% of reviews
Number of ratings49K — better485
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
Best chart rank#159 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.416.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size159 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperScreenZen LLCHamsters Technology

Customer experience

ScreenZen

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

StepBloc

All ratings485 ratings
Positive87.4%
Neutral5.4%
Negative7.2%
Written reviews61 reviews
Positive63.9%
Neutral8.2%
Negative27.9%

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

StepBloc

From 485 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Blocks apps very well
  • 👍 Free to use
  • 👍 Innovative concept
  • 👍 Effective screen time reduction
  • 👍 Motivates exercise

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Push-up/squat tracking issues
  • 🐛 Daily limits in free version
  • 🐛 Limited free features
  • 🐛 Unintuitive timer
  • 🐛 Lacking features

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

StepBloc

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Push-up counter can be cheated
  • Squat counter can be cheated
  • App keeps blocks after deletion
  • Push-up system is faulty
  • Squats not registered correctly
Show 7 more
  • Screen time rate incorrect
  • Analytics tab blank
  • Freezes phone
  • Push-up tracking measures face distance
  • App still blocks after exercise
  • Screen time shown is incorrect
  • Lifetime unlock price high

Requested features

14 requests
  • Accumulate screen time
  • Start day with screen time
  • Reset banked steps daily
  • Widget for progress tracking
  • Macbook app
Show 9 more
  • Nose detection mode
  • More exercise options (sit-ups, pull-ups)
  • Edit workouts for specific days
  • Bank minutes/time
  • Face-on push-up tracking
  • Camera tracking for exercises
  • Set multiple rules for exercise/time
  • See time left until next exercise
  • More free features

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
3 purchases

StepBloc

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pass$3.991 Month
  • Premium Pass7 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$29.99

Questions

Is ScreenZen free?
ScreenZen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is StepBloc free?
StepBloc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ScreenZen or StepBloc?
ScreenZen is rated higher. ScreenZen averages 4.9 out of 5 from 49K ratings, while StepBloc averages 4.5 from 485 ratings.
Do ScreenZen or StepBloc have ads?
Neither ScreenZen nor StepBloc shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ScreenZen or StepBloc?
ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, and StepBloc weekly. Most recently, ScreenZen was updated on September 24, 2026 and StepBloc on September 24, 2026.

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