Comparison

ScreenZen vs Distraction Monster

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

Distraction Monster

This app helps you regain control of your screen time by blocking distracting apps and websites. Set daily limits or scheduled blocking periods, and watch your focus character grow stronger as you stay on task. It transforms screen time management from a chore into a rewarding progress-driven experience.

Highlights
  • Block distracting apps and websites
  • Create custom focus groups
  • Set daily app usage limits
  • Schedule blocking windows
  • Track focus progress and battle history
  • Build consistent focus habits
Features
Read full description

Choose the apps and websites that pull you off track, set daily limits or scheduled blocking windows, and let your focus character keep them locked away. When you stay focused, your hero grows stronger. When you take too many breaks, the monster fights back. Use Distraction Monster to: • Block distracting apps and websites • Create focus groups for work, school, social media, or bedtime • Set daily allowances before apps become blocked • Schedule blocking windows for specific days and times • Take intentional breaks instead of endless scrolling • Track your focus progress and battle history • Build a more consistent focus habit over time Distraction Monster is built for people who want screen-time control to feel less like punishment and more like progress. Pick your distractions, protect your time, and beat the monster one focused session at a time.

Screenshots

ScreenZen4 screens
Distraction Monster4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: ScreenZen at 54K against Distraction Monster's 1. ScreenZen also leads on chart position (#130 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). Distraction Monster's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ScreenZen sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Distraction Monster sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for ScreenZen against 5.0 for Distraction Monster. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScreenZen has 54K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, Distraction Monster every 4 days. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
ScreenZen versus Distraction Monster: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenZenDistraction Monster
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (54K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews93.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings54K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#130 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.4 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size159 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperScreenZen LLCLuqmaan Siddiqui

Customer experience

ScreenZen

All ratings50,446 ratings
Positive97.2%
Neutral1.2%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews6,973 reviews
Positive93.4%
Neutral2.7%
Negative4.0%

Distraction Monster

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Distraction Monster

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
1 purchases

Distraction Monster

One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$9.99

Questions

Is ScreenZen free?
ScreenZen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Distraction Monster free?
Distraction Monster is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ScreenZen or Distraction Monster?
Distraction Monster is rated higher. ScreenZen averages 4.9 out of 5 from 54K ratings, while Distraction Monster averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do ScreenZen or Distraction Monster have ads?
Neither ScreenZen nor Distraction Monster shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ScreenZen or Distraction Monster?
ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, and Distraction Monster every 4 days. Most recently, ScreenZen was updated on November 10, 2026 and Distraction Monster on November 10, 2026.

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