Comparison

ScreenZen vs Lucid

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

Lucid

This tool helps you get work done by blocking distractions and using a focus timer. Track your progress and set goals to improve productivity and reduce interruptions. Optimized for iPad, it offers a privacy-first experience with no ads or tracking.

Highlights
  • Focus timer for set work sessions
  • Distraction blocking to minimize interruptions
  • Activity tracking for productive time
  • Progress visualization with a grid
  • Background audio for enhanced focus
  • Goal setting for daily, weekly, or monthly targets
Features
Read full description

Lucid is a focus timer and distraction blocker built to help you actually get work done. Struggling to stay focused? Start a DeepWork session, block distractions on your phone, and make real progress on the tasks that matter. Whether you're studying, writing, coding, or creating, Lucid helps you stay focused and finish what you start. Key Features: Focus Timer – Start 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, or 45-minute deep work sessions Distraction Blocking – Reduce interruptions and stay locked in Activity Tracking – Track your focus sessions and productive time Progress Visualization – See your consistency with a GitHub-style grid Background Audio – Lo-fi music and white noise for better focus Smart Notifications – Gentle alerts to keep your workflow on track Goal Setting – Set daily, weekly, or monthly focus goals iPad Optimized – Designed for larger screens and work setups Perfect for: • Students studying for exams or working on assignments • Creators, writers, and developers building projects • Professionals who need deep focus time • Anyone looking to improve productivity and reduce distractions Privacy First Your data stays on your device. No ads. No tracking. No distractions. Start a focus session and get something done today. Privacy Policy: https://deep-work.io/privacy Terms of Use: https://deep-work.io/terms

Screenshots

ScreenZen4 screens
Lucid4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: ScreenZen at 52K against Lucid's 7. ScreenZen also leads on chart position (#150 vs unranked). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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 Lucid sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for ScreenZen against 5.0 for Lucid. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScreenZen has 52K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 93% of ScreenZen's written reviews are positive against 100% of Lucid's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, Lucid fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
ScreenZen versus Lucid: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenZenLucid
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (52K ratings)5.0 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews93.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings52K — better7
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
Best chart rank#150 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.416.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size159 MB130 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperScreenZen LLCRaman Mama

Customer experience

ScreenZen

All ratings50,446 ratings
Positive97.2%
Neutral1.2%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews6,842 reviews
Positive93.4%
Neutral2.6%
Negative3.9%

Lucid

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Lucid

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
4 purchases

Lucid

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly Subscription$2.991 Month
  • Premium Annual Subscription$24.991 Year
One-time2
  • Premium Subscription$39.99
  • Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is ScreenZen free?
ScreenZen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lucid free?
Lucid is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ScreenZen or Lucid?
Lucid is rated higher. ScreenZen averages 4.9 out of 5 from 52K ratings, while Lucid averages 5.0 from 7 ratings.
Do ScreenZen or Lucid have ads?
Neither ScreenZen nor Lucid shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ScreenZen or Lucid?
ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, and Lucid fortnightly. Most recently, ScreenZen was updated on October 25, 2026 and Lucid on October 24, 2026.

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