ScreenZen vs Nepsis
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.
Nepsis
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NEPSIS — SELF-CONTROL, NOT SELF-DECEPTION You already know what pulls you away from your day: the feed you didn't mean to open, the "just five minutes" that becomes forty. Nepsis helps you block it — using Apple Screen Time to enforce rules you set for yourself. This isn't a parental control app. There's no monitoring, no family sharing, no dashboard for someone else to check. Nepsis is built for one person: you, versus your own impulses. HOW IT WORKS Nepsis uses Apple Screen Time to actually restrict access to the apps and categories you choose — not just track them. Grant Screen Time permission once, then set your rules. THREE WAYS TO BLOCK - Just Block — flip a switch and block chosen apps right now, on demand. - Daily Limits — allow a set amount of time per app or category, then block once you hit it. - Focus Schedules — automatically block during windows you define: work hours, sleep, deep focus, mornings, whatever your day needs. FRICTION THAT ACTUALLY WORKS Timers are easy to ignore. So when you try to pause, disable, or weaken a rule, Nepsis can ask you to earn it first: - Physical challenges — shake your phone, do squats or push-ups - Mindful challenges — a breathing exercise, a calm-down pause, a mirror check - Cognitive challenges — type a phrase, solve simple math - Reflective challenges — speak a short justification out loud FOUR PROTECTION LEVELS Choose how hard it should be to talk yourself out of your own rules: Easy → Focused → Committed → Strict (a passcode is required to turn off, edit, or weaken any rule) The stricter the level, the harder it is for future-you to undo what present-you decided. SEE YOUR PROGRESS Weekly reports and a simple focus score show your habits over time — how often you followed your rules, where you slipped, and how your patterns shift week to week. It's a lightweight companion to your discipline, not a full analytics suite. MINDFUL OPEN Add a short pause or challenge before opening a specific app, anywhere on your phone, using Shortcuts — a moment of friction right when you need it most. MAKE IT YOURS Customize how your block screen looks, so the moment you're stopped feels like your own reminder, not a generic system alert. NEPSIS PREMIUM Core features require a Nepsis Premium subscription to unlock fully. Pricing and terms are shown in the app and on the App Store before you subscribe. PRIVACY No Nepsis account or login is required to get started. Your usage insights and focus events are processed on your device. If you're signed into iCloud, your rules and block-screen look settings can sync across your own devices — the specific apps you've selected are not synced, so you'll reselect them on a new device. Subscription status is handled through Apple, not a Nepsis account. Nepsis works with Apple Screen Time to enforce rules you create; it doesn't replace or duplicate Apple's own Screen Time settings. Nepsis is designed for adults managing their own device and their own habits. It is not intended for monitoring another person's device or for parental or family control. Terms of Use: https://nepsisapp.site/terms/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is chart position: ScreenZen at #174 against Nepsis's unranked. ScreenZen also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18). On price, ads and in-app purchases 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 Nepsis sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
| Parameter | ScreenZen | Nepsis |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (50K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 93.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 50K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | #174 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 — better | 18 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 159 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ScreenZen LLC | Nartai Aitmukashev |
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
Nepsis
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
Nepsis
- Premium Weekly$4.997 Days
- Premium Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Premium Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year









