# ScreenZen vs AppLimit

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | ScreenZen | AppLimit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (49K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenzen-screen-time-control/id1541027222/reviews)** | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/applimit-app-usage-hard-stop/id6757147703/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **49K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **93.4% of reviews** | 33.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#188** | — |
| Size | 159 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ScreenZen LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1541021087) | [Shervin Koushan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1694799081) |

## What reviewers say

### ScreenZen

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

**Currently charting:** #188 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


### AppLimit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/applimit-app-usage-hard-stop/id6757147703)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AppLimit Pro | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| AppLimit Pro | $99.99 | per year |
| Unblock one app or category | $0.99 | one-time |
| Unblock all apps and categories | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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.

---

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