Comparison

ScreenZen vs App Blocker

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

App Blocker

This app helps you regain control of your screen time by blocking distracting applications and websites. Utilize custom block lists and focus sessions to improve productivity and mental well-being.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps and websites
  • Create custom block lists
  • Schedule focus sessions
  • Manage screen time effectively
  • Improve productivity and mental health
  • Personalized app and website blocking
Features
Read full description

Block distractions and focus better. 4 hours. That’s the average time you’ll spend looking at your phone today. With a combination of app restrictions, to-do list, you can begin to focus better and accomplish your dreams. BENEFITS 94% of our members are less distracted 93% are more productive thanks to the app 90% experience improved mental health 79% save at least 1 hour *daily* thanks to the app KEY FEATURES Calendar • Stay focused on daily basis • Create custom blocks/events to study, work or enjoying a family dinner • Custom block lists for specific apps or categories App Restrictions: • Instantly block distracting apps and websites with the #1 blocker. • Control your screen time and stop doomscrolling. Focus Sessions: • Block apps and websites while you're working to maintain deep focus. • You can always take a break to unblock them temporarily. BENEFITS Better Screen Time Management: Save at least one hour daily by reducing distractions. Increased Productivity: 93% of users report being more productive thanks to the app. Improved Mental Health: 90% of users experience reduced stress and improved mindfulness. Enhanced Focus: 94% of users report feeling less distracted and more focused. CREATE A PERSONALIZED APP LIST You can add or remove any App and Website that are distracting to you directly from To Do Lock's settings in the app. You can customize your To do Lock experience and block all apps and sites on your phone, including: - Facebook - Instagram - Snapchat - TikTok - Youtube - Netflix - Tinder - Hinge - Bumble - Many more: News, Messaging, Dating, Adult/Porn, Money apps etc. PRIVATE & SAFE We use Apple's Screen Time API in order to monitor and block apps you use. Installation is easy and takes a few seconds on your iPhone. Unlike most apps, App Blocker works entirely on your phone and personal browsing data never leaves your device. Subscription pricing and terms: App Blocker offers an auto-renewing yearly subscription at $99.99/year to provide you with unlimited access to the all features while you maintain an active subscription. Payment will be charged to the credit card connected to your iTunes Account when you confirm the initial subscription purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current subscription period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and the cost of the renewal will be identified. You may manage your subscription and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to your Account Settings after the purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable. Need help? Contact us here: https://screentimecontrol.app/contact-us Read more about our terms and conditions here: Privacy policy: https://screentimecontrol.app/privacy-and-policy/ Terms and conditions: https://screentimecontrol.app/terms-and-conditions

Screenshots

ScreenZen4 screens
App Blocker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: ScreenZen at none against App Blocker's shown. ScreenZen also leads on review sentiment (93% vs 63%) and rating (4.9 vs 4.5). On price, update cadence, 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 App Blocker sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 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 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScreenZen has 49K ratings behind it against 77, 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 App Blocker's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, App Blocker every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and August 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
ScreenZen versus App Blocker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenZenApp Blocker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (49K ratings) — better4.5 (77 ratings)
Positive reviews93.4% of reviews — better62.5% of reviews
Number of ratings49K — better77
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 11 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#158 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.416.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size159 MB214 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperScreenZen LLCScreen Time Control LLC

Customer experience

ScreenZen

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

App Blocker

All ratings77 ratings
Positive88.3%
Neutral2.6%
Negative9.1%
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

App Blocker

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
9 purchases

App Blocker

Subscriptions6
  • Premium$4.997 Days
  • Premium$8.991 Month
  • Premium3 Days trial$9.997 Days
Show 3 more
  • Premium$24.991 Year
  • Premium7 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • Premium3 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time3
  • Free for LifeFree
  • Lifetime$29.99
  • Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is ScreenZen free?
ScreenZen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is App Blocker free?
App Blocker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ScreenZen or App Blocker?
ScreenZen is rated higher. ScreenZen averages 4.9 out of 5 from 49K ratings, while App Blocker averages 4.5 from 77 ratings.
Do ScreenZen or App Blocker have ads?
App Blocker shows ads; ScreenZen does not.
Which is updated more often, ScreenZen or App Blocker?
ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, and App Blocker every 11 days. Most recently, ScreenZen was updated on September 24, 2026 and App Blocker on August 12, 2026.

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