# ScreenZen vs Atten

The clearest difference is ratings volume: ScreenZen at 49K against Atten's 139. ScreenZen also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.7) and chart position (#185 vs unranked). Atten's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ScreenZen sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Atten sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScreenZen holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScreenZen has 49K ratings behind it against 139, 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 90% of Atten's.

ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, Atten weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ScreenZen | Atten |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (49K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenzen-screen-time-control/id1541027222/reviews)** | [4.7 (139 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/atten-app-blocker/id6608976383/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **49K** | 139 |
| Positive reviews | **93.4% of reviews** | 90.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#185** | — |
| Size | 159 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ScreenZen LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1541021087) | [Third tech](https://appshunter.io/developer/1761143871) |

## What reviewers say

### ScreenZen

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenzen-screen-time-control/id1541027222)

**Currently charting:** #185 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Kind Tip | $5.00 | one-time |
| Generous Tip | $10.00 | one-time |
| Amazing Tip | $20.00 | one-time |
| Fantastic Tip | $40.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- Unlock button not working as expected
- App stops working after some time
- Compatibility issues with iOS 16 update

**Requested features**

- Add more customization options
- Integrate with productivity/to-do apps
- Add more pause/break options
- Improve website blocking functionality


### Atten

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/atten-app-blocker/id6608976383)

This app helps you regain control of your digital time by blocking distracting apps and websites. Set customizable limits and schedules to improve focus, boost productivity, and build healthier screen time habits.

**Highlights:** App and website blocking, Customizable limits and schedules, Strict mode for unbreakable focus, Multi-device sync, Parental controls, Usage and progress tracking

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Plan | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Plan | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly Plan | $19.99 | per year |
| Atten Pro \| Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |
| Atten Pro \| Lifetime (Family) | $44.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💰 Affordable pricing compared to competitors like Opal
- 🔒 Effective strict blocking that prevents app access
- 🎨 Beautiful and intuitive user interface design
- ⏱️ Customizable scheduling and time limits for apps
- 🎯 Significantly reduces screen time and improves focus

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and occasional bugs during use
- 🐛 Glitches allowing access to blocked apps intermittently
- ⏱️ Inaccurate app usage time tracking
- 🔄 Repetitive rating popup appears too frequently
- 🌍 Limited language support (primarily English)

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when selecting websites to block
- Website blocking crashes and is unreliable
- Cannot modify or delete permanently active sessions without reinstalling
- Unselected apps still get blocked despite deselection
- Instagram blocking not working while other social apps block correctly

**Requested features**

- Fully customizable popup messages without fixed text
- Option to add 'Don't show this again' button to rating prompts
- Less frequent rating/feedback popups (every 6-12 months)
- Clone sessions or create reusable app lists
- Move break button to main menu for easier access


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ScreenZen free?

ScreenZen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Atten free?

Atten is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, ScreenZen or Atten?

ScreenZen is rated higher. ScreenZen averages 4.9 out of 5 from 49K ratings, while Atten averages 4.7 from 139 ratings.

### Do ScreenZen or Atten have ads?

Neither ScreenZen nor Atten shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ScreenZen or Atten?

ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, and Atten weekly. Most recently, ScreenZen was updated on September 25, 2026 and Atten on August 20, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*