Comparison

ScreenZen vs AppLimit

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

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
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

ScreenZen4 screens
AppLimit4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
ScreenZen versus AppLimit: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenZenAppLimit
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (49K ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews93.4% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings49K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#188 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.416.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size159 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperScreenZen LLCShervin Koushan

Customer experience

ScreenZen

All ratings48,969 ratings
Positive97.2%
Neutral1.2%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews6,446 reviews
Positive93.4%
Neutral2.7%
Negative3.9%

AppLimit

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

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

4 purchases

ScreenZen

One-time4
  • Kind Tip$5.00
  • Generous Tip$10.00
  • Amazing Tip$20.00
Show 1 more
  • Fantastic Tip$40.00
4 purchases

AppLimit

Subscriptions2
  • AppLimit Pro$3.997 Days
  • AppLimit Pro$99.991 Year
One-time2
  • Unblock one app or category$0.99
  • Unblock all apps and categories$9.99

Questions

Is ScreenZen free?
ScreenZen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AppLimit free?
AppLimit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ScreenZen or AppLimit?
ScreenZen is rated higher. ScreenZen averages 4.9 out of 5 from 49K ratings, while AppLimit averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do ScreenZen or AppLimit have ads?
Neither ScreenZen nor AppLimit shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ScreenZen or AppLimit?
ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, and AppLimit every 4 days. Most recently, ScreenZen was updated on September 25, 2026 and AppLimit on September 3, 2026.

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