# ScreenZen vs Delay

The clearest difference is ratings volume: ScreenZen at 50K against Delay's 102. ScreenZen also leads on chart position (#151 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.0). Delay's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ScreenZen sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Delay sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for ScreenZen against 4.8 for Delay. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScreenZen has 50K ratings behind it against 102, 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 88% of Delay's.

ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, Delay every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ScreenZen | Delay |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (50K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenzen-screen-time-control/id1541027222/reviews)** | [4.8 (102 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/delay-study-before-you-scroll/id6749641307/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **50K** | 102 |
| Positive reviews | **93.3% of reviews** | 87.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#151** | — |
| Size | 159 MB | 82 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ScreenZen LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1541021087) | [Focus Labs LLC (US)](https://appshunter.io/developer/6811264579) |

## What reviewers say

### ScreenZen

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

**Currently charting:** #151 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


### Delay

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/delay-study-before-you-scroll/id6749641307)

This app helps users break phone addiction by interrupting mindless scrolling with challenges. It aims to stop the cycle of addictive app usage through strategic interventions.

**Highlights:** Challenge-based interventions, Dopamine delay, Stops mindless app opening, Breaks scrolling cycle, Fun and engaging

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Delay - Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Delay - Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Delay - Family Monthly | $17.99 | per month |
| Delay - Yearly | $79.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ScreenZen free?

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

### Is Delay free?

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

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

ScreenZen is rated higher. ScreenZen averages 4.9 out of 5 from 50K ratings, while Delay averages 4.8 from 102 ratings.

### Do ScreenZen or Delay have ads?

Neither ScreenZen nor Delay shows ads.

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

ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, and Delay every 5 days. Most recently, ScreenZen was updated on September 29, 2026 and Delay on September 28, 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.*