ScreenZen vs AppLimit
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.
AppLimit
This app enforces strict daily usage limits on selected applications or categories. Once a time limit is reached, access is blocked without any exceptions or extensions, helping users break habits and establish real boundaries.
- Set daily usage limits for apps/categories
- Blocks access automatically when time limit is reached
- No override, snooze, or grace periods
- Minimal setup and clean interface
- On-device only, no accounts or tracking
- Utilizes Apple Screen Time APIs for true hard stops
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AppLimit enforces app limits - without loopholes. Choose apps or categories and set a daily usage limit. When the limit is reached, access is blocked until the next reset. No “Ignore for 15 minutes.” No extensions. No exceptions. How it works: • Select the apps you want to limit • Set a daily time limit • AppLimit blocks access automatically when time is up AppLimit is intentionally opinionated. If you want reminders or flexible limits, this app is not for you. Why AppLimit? • True hard stops using Apple Screen Time APIs • No override buttons • No snooze or grace periods • Minimal setup, clean interface • On-device only - no accounts, no tracking Ideal for reducing social media overuse, breaking habits, and enforcing real boundaries. Set the limit. When time is up, it’s done. Legal and Regulatory In-app purchases and subscriptions are governed by Apple´s standard terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: ScreenZen at 93% against AppLimit's 33%. ScreenZen also leads on rating (4.9 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (49K vs 1). AppLimit's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 AppLimit sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
ScreenZen holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScreenZen has 49K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 93% of ScreenZen's written reviews are positive against 33% of AppLimit's.
ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, AppLimit every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ScreenZen | AppLimit |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (49K ratings) — better | 1.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 93.4% of reviews — better | 33.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 49K — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #188 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 159 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ScreenZen LLC | Shervin Koushan |
Customer experience
ScreenZen
AppLimit
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
AppLimit
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
AppLimit
- AppLimit Pro$3.997 Days
- AppLimit Pro$99.991 Year
- Unblock one app or category$0.99
- Unblock all apps and categories$9.99









