# ScreenZen vs FocusLapse

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: FocusLapse at none against ScreenZen's 4. ScreenZen's advantage is ratings volume (53K vs 8) and chart position (#164 vs unranked). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ScreenZen sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. FocusLapse 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 FocusLapse. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScreenZen has 53K ratings behind it against 8, 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 FocusLapse's.

ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, FocusLapse fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ScreenZen | FocusLapse |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (53K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenzen-screen-time-control/id1541027222/reviews) | **[5.0 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focuslapse-study-time-lapse/id6756807803/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **53K** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | 93.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#164** | — |
| Size | 159 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 18.5 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ScreenZen LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1541021087) | [cocon Godo Kaisha](https://appshunter.io/developer/1861117531) |

## What reviewers say

### ScreenZen

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

**Currently charting:** #164 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


### FocusLapse

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focuslapse-study-time-lapse/id6756807803)

Record your study or work sessions as time-lapse videos. This app helps reduce phone distractions and provides a visual log of your effort. Review your progress with animated overlays and history tracking.

**Highlights:** Record study/work sessions as time-lapse videos, Animated analog clock overlay, Front and rear camera support, Adjustable video speed, Focus history and progress graphs, Home screen widgets

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ScreenZen free?

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

### Is FocusLapse free?

FocusLapse is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

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

FocusLapse is rated higher. ScreenZen averages 4.9 out of 5 from 53K ratings, while FocusLapse averages 5.0 from 8 ratings.

### Do ScreenZen or FocusLapse have ads?

Neither ScreenZen nor FocusLapse shows ads.

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

ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, and FocusLapse fortnightly. Most recently, ScreenZen was updated on November 1, 2026 and FocusLapse on October 30, 2026.

---

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