# ScreenZen vs iCodec

The clearest difference is price: ScreenZen at Free against iCodec's $0.99. ScreenZen also leads on ratings volume (50K vs 3) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). iCodec's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4). On rating, review sentiment, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

ScreenZen is free to download; iCodec costs $0.99 up front. ScreenZen sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. iCodec asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for ScreenZen against 5.0 for iCodec. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScreenZen has 50K ratings behind it against 3, 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 iCodec's.

ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, iCodec every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ScreenZen | iCodec |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $0.99 |
| Rating | [4.9 (50K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenzen-screen-time-control/id1541027222/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/icodec/id6752904074/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **50K** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 93.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#170** | — |
| Size | 159 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ScreenZen LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1541021087) | [Eric Hierholzer](https://appshunter.io/developer/1841662982) |

## What reviewers say

### ScreenZen

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

**Currently charting:** #170 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


### iCodec

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/icodec/id6752904074)

This digital tool helps users organize and execute tasks efficiently. It aims to bring order to chaotic workflows, serving as a utilitarian aid for task management.

**Highlights:** Task execution assistance, Workflow organization, Digital utility, Order creation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ScreenZen free?

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

### Is iCodec free?

iCodec costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

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

iCodec is rated higher. ScreenZen averages 4.9 out of 5 from 50K ratings, while iCodec averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do ScreenZen or iCodec have ads?

Neither ScreenZen nor iCodec shows ads.

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

ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, and iCodec every 2 months. Most recently, ScreenZen was updated on October 15, 2026 and iCodec on October 9, 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.*