Comparison

ScreenZen vs Bonfire

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

Bonfire

This app helps reduce excessive phone usage and improve focus. It offers features like app blocking, real-time focus feedback, and progress tracking to enhance productivity and well-being. Manage your digital habits and build structured routines for a better quality of time spent on your device.

Highlights
  • App blocking
  • Focus reporting
  • Real-time focus score
  • Scheduled focus sessions
  • Digital habit management
  • Productivity enhancement
Features
Read full description

Introducing Bonfire, your new ally against excessive screen time. Aimed at reducing the average six hour daily phone usage. Yes, you will spend over six hours today looking at your phone. Bonfire helps you control your screen time to improve focus and achieve your dreams. From app restrictions to real time feedback and rewarding milestones, Bonfire is designed to boost productivity and wellness. Why Bonfire Bonfire is built on the idea that managing your digital environment can lead to meaningful improvements in daily life. It is not just about cutting down screen time, it is about improving the quality of the time you spend. Benefits of Bonfire • Improve focus and reduce distractions • Enhance productivity at work or school • Support mental wellness and stress management • Help manage ADHD related distractions • Build structured daily routines for work, sleep, and family time • Take control of your digital habits Features include • Focus Report. Track and measure your focus improvement over time • Focus Score. A real time assessment of your current focus level • App Blocker. Block a limited number of apps for free, with the option to unlock additional blocks using a premium subscription • Focus Sessions. Schedule session based app blocks to maintain deep focus Safe and private Bonfire uses Apple Screen Time APIs to monitor app usage securely. All data remains on your device to ensure privacy and safety. Download Bonfire and start building better focus today. Terms of Service https://www.bonfirefocus.com/terms-of-service Privacy Policy https://www.bonfirefocus.com/privacy-policy EULA https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

ScreenZen4 screens
Bonfire4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ScreenZen at 4.9 against Bonfire's 4.4. ScreenZen also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (93% vs 63%). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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 Bonfire sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. 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 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScreenZen has 49K ratings behind it against 65, 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 63% of Bonfire's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, Bonfire every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
ScreenZen versus Bonfire: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenZenBonfire
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (49K ratings) — better4.4 (65 ratings)
Positive reviews93.4% of reviews — better62.5% of reviews
Number of ratings49K — better65
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#168 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.4 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size159 MB77 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperScreenZen LLCOffbeat Apps LLC

Customer experience

ScreenZen

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

Bonfire

All ratings65 ratings
Positive84.6%
Neutral7.7%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative25.0%

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

Bonfire

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
6 purchases

Bonfire

Subscriptions6
  • Bonfire Premium7 Days trial$9.991 Year
  • Bonfire Premium$9.991 Year
  • Bonfire Premium7 Days trial$19.991 Year
Show 3 more
  • Bonfire Premium7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Bonfire Premium$59.991 Year
  • Bonfire Premium7 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is ScreenZen free?
ScreenZen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bonfire free?
Bonfire is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ScreenZen or Bonfire?
ScreenZen is rated higher. ScreenZen averages 4.9 out of 5 from 49K ratings, while Bonfire averages 4.4 from 65 ratings.
Do ScreenZen or Bonfire have ads?
Bonfire shows ads; ScreenZen does not.
Which is updated more often, ScreenZen or Bonfire?
ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, and Bonfire every 6 weeks. Most recently, ScreenZen was updated on September 24, 2026 and Bonfire on September 23, 2026.

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