# ScreenZen vs ScrollWager

The clearest difference is ads: ScreenZen at none against ScrollWager's shown. ScreenZen also leads on ratings volume (50K vs 4) and chart position (#176 vs unranked). ScrollWager's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, 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 ScrollWager sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for ScreenZen against 5.0 for ScrollWager. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScreenZen has 50K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.

ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, ScrollWager every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ScreenZen | ScrollWager |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (50K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screenzen-screen-time-control/id1541027222/reviews) | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scrollwager-screen-time-lock/id6802352236/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **50K** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | — | 33.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#176** | — |
| Size | 159 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ScreenZen LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1541021087) | [Maurice Wolf](https://appshunter.io/developer/1892848552) |

## What reviewers say

### ScreenZen

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

**Currently charting:** #176 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


### ScrollWager

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scrollwager-screen-time-lock/id6802352236)

This app locks your applications, requiring you to earn screen time by completing challenges or physical activities to unlock them. It aims to make app usage a conscious decision rather than an automatic habit. Earned minutes carry over, and a hard daily limit prevents excessive challenges.

**Highlights:** Apps locked around the clock, Unlock one app at a time, Earn minutes by moving, Hard daily challenge limit, Strict Mode for deletion prevention, Streak and milestone tracking, Usage history

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ScrollWager Pro | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| ScrollWager Pro | $24.99 | per year |
| ScrollWager Pro | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ScreenZen free?

ScreenZen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is ScrollWager free?

ScrollWager is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, ScreenZen or ScrollWager?

ScrollWager is rated higher. ScreenZen averages 4.9 out of 5 from 50K ratings, while ScrollWager averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do ScreenZen or ScrollWager have ads?

ScrollWager shows ads; ScreenZen does not.

### Which is updated more often, ScreenZen or ScrollWager?

ScreenZen ships an update every 3 weeks, and ScrollWager every 2 days. Most recently, ScreenZen was updated on October 15, 2026 and ScrollWager on October 13, 2026.

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