ScreenZen vs KnitCounter
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
KnitCounter
This ad-free application helps knitters and crocheters track their project progress, including rows, repeats, and sections. It offers Apple Watch integration, pattern PDF viewing, and yarn stash management. Keep your projects organized and your focus on creating.
- Row and stitch counting with custom steps
- Automatic repeat tracking
- Apple Watch integration
- Pattern PDF attachment and viewing
- Yarn stash management
- iCloud sync across devices
- Project notes and checklists
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A calm, ad-free row counter for knitters and crocheters, now on Apple Watch. Track rows, repeats, sections and notes in one quiet place, so you can focus on your project instead of remembering where you left off. EVERYTHING KNITCOUNTER DOES • Create knitting or crochet projects and organise each into sections like ribbing, body and sleeves • One-tap row and stitch counting, with custom step sizes • Automatic repeats that track your pattern for you • Count from your Apple Watch, in step with your phone, with the same sections, repeats and count-by • Start and pause a section's timer from either device • Attach and read your pattern PDF while you count • Notes and finishing checklists for every project • Track every skein you own in the yarn stash: colour, brand, weight category, yardage and photos • iCloud sync keeps projects, photos, pattern PDFs and your stash current across iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch • Pin, reorder, and archive projects, so your current makes stay on top and finished ones are tucked away • Light and dark mode, designed for long, comfortable sessions • Automatic saving: your progress is always preserved The Apple Watch app requires watchOS 10 or later and installs from the Watch app on your iPhone. KnitCounter is free, ad-free, and made by one person who cares. Whether you're knitting a sweater, socks, or a lace shawl, it keeps everything organised and within reach. Happy making. Haley
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: KnitCounter at free against ScreenZen's free with in-app purchases. ScreenZen's advantage is ratings volume (54K vs 26) and chart position (#120 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
Both are free to download. ScreenZen sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and KnitCounter sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. 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 KnitCounter. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScreenZen has 54K ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 93% and 94% positive.
ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, KnitCounter every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ScreenZen | KnitCounter |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (54K ratings) — better | 4.8 (26 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 93.4% of reviews | 94.1% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 54K — better | 26 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 11 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #120 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 159 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ScreenZen LLC | Haley Barlar |
Customer experience
ScreenZen
KnitCounter
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
KnitCounter
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
ScreenZen
- Kind Tip$5.00
- Generous Tip$10.00
- Amazing Tip$20.00
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- Fantastic Tip$40.00
KnitCounter
- A Small Thank You$1.99
- A Medium Thank You$4.99
- A Large Thank You$9.99
Questions
Is ScreenZen free?
Is KnitCounter free?
Which has better reviews, ScreenZen or KnitCounter?
Do ScreenZen or KnitCounter have ads?
Which is updated more often, ScreenZen or KnitCounter?
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