Zario vs Screen Time Blocker
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Zario
This AI-powered app helps you regain control of your screen time and boost productivity. It intelligently manages access to distracting apps with personalized coaching and humorous feedback, rather than simply blocking them. Scientifically proven to reduce phone usage, it makes focus fun and achievable.
- AI-powered screen time negotiation
- Automated screen time management
- Personalized pause screens
- Humorous feedback for mindless scrolling
- Scientifically proven usage reduction
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Stop scrolling and take back control with Zario—your fun, AI-powered focus app that helps you stay productive without blocking everything. **18 YEARS OF Scrolling** That’s how much time an average 30-year-old is expected to spend looking down on their screen. With Zario, you can get over 5 of those years back. Zario isn’t just another app blocker—it’s your personal focus tool that can literally control access to your distracting apps. Whether you’re breaking free from distractions, boosting productivity, or simply trying to reclaim your time, Zario helps you achieve it all without being overly serious or intrusive. WHAT SETS ZARIO APART: - Smart Coaching: Negotiate with Zario AI for extra screen time. The first-ever AI that grants or denies access to distracting apps. - Better Use of Your Time: Instead of blocking everything, Zario helps you make every moment meaningful by automating screen time management. - Tough Love When Needed: Personalized pause screens and lighthearted roasts make you rethink mindless scrolling with humor. REAL RESULTS, BACKED BY SCIENCE: Zario isn’t just effective—it’s scientifically proven. A groundbreaking study by Maastricht University found that 88.87% of at-risk users significantly reduced their phone usage after just one week with Zario. These aren’t just claims—they’re results supported by cutting-edge research. See the study here https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/6fjs3https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/6fjs3 WHAT USERS ARE SAYING: - “It’s like a personal trainer for my social media habits!” — Mark S. - “Finally, a productivity app that doesn’t take itself too seriously!” — Carmen M. - “So honored that my book, Indistractable, inspired this! Keep up the great work.” — Nir Eyal SUBSCRIPTION & PRIVACY: After your free trial, subscriptions are billed through your iTunes account. Your privacy matters. Your data stays on your device - protected by Apple. View our policy here: https://www.meetzario.com/privacy Need help? Reach out at info@meetzario.com. Start your journey with Zario today—focus has never been this fun.
Screen Time Blocker
This app helps you regain control of your smartphone usage by setting app and website limits. It creates focused moments for work, study, or sleep by blocking distracting applications during designated times. Features include customizable restrictions, a "shield" screen to enforce limits, and a Pomodoro timer for enhanced productivity.
- App and website restrictions
- Customizable time limits
- "Shield" screen for enforcement
- Pomodoro timer integration
- Undisableable shield option (premium)
- Multiple restriction profiles
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Focus is an app designed to create truly focused moments for you. It's perfect for those who can't help but open their phones, even when there are tasks to be done - a solution for your smartphone addiction. Leveraging the Screen Time feature, Focus can assist you when you need concentration for obtaining certifications, test studies, or work. Additionally, it's a valuable tool for those looking to combat smartphone addiction and improve sleep quality. ■ Focus safeguards your time with the following features: ・ Focus uses the Screen Time API. This API ensures no unauthorized data access. Please grant permission with peace of mind. ・ It operates based on the apps and times you set for restrictions. For instance, you can set it to prevent SNS usage between 9:00-17:00 during work or study hours. Even granting permissions as short as 10 minutes is possible. ・ If you exceed the time limit and continue to use the app, a "shield" screen appears, preventing further use. ・ Outside the restriction hours (e.g., after 17:00), the shield is deactivated, and the restricted apps become accessible again. ・ You can set multiple restrictions, tailored to your lifestyle. ・ There's a Pomodoro timer feature that leverages the app restriction function. This helps you study or work more efficiently. ・ It's also possible to make the shield non-deactivatable from the premium plan, ensuring you always adhere to the limits. Focus is recommended for: Those addicted to SNS, often checking it during work hours. With Focus, you can set it so SNS apps are off-limits from 9:00 - 17:00. People who use their phones before sleeping. You can set all apps to be unusable after 22:00. If you start your morning dawdling on entertainment or gaming apps and miss a productive start. For instance, restrict such apps from 8:00 - 10:00. Music lovers who get lost in their tunes during study breaks. You can set music apps to be usable only for 20 minutes during study hours. Those who quickly deactivate restrictions from the settings app. With Focus, you can set an undisable shield, ensuring you always adhere to the restrictions. It's also a reliable partner for those who want to concentrate on tasks using the Pomodoro timer. Please utilize this app to overcome temptations from other captivating apps. For inquiries or feedback, please contact us at: awesome.digitaldetox.app@gmail.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Zario at every 6 days against Screen Time Blocker's every 2 weeks. Zario also leads on review sentiment (78% vs 70%) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Zario sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Screen Time Blocker sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Zario against 4.6 for Screen Time Blocker. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 56 and 23 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 78% of Zario's written reviews are positive against 70% of Screen Time Blocker's.
Zario ships an update every 6 days, Screen Time Blocker every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Zario | Screen Time Blocker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (56 ratings) | 4.6 (23 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 78.1% of reviews — better | 69.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 56 — better | 23 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 days — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 179 MB | 113 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Zario AG | yudai hirose |
Customer experience
Zario
Screen Time Blocker
In-app purchases
Zario
- Monthly$4.991 Month
- Zario Pro1 Month trial$12.991 Month
- Zario Pro$12.991 Month
Show 12 moreShow fewer
- Zario Pro7 Days trial$12.991 Month
- Zario Pro$17.991 Year
- Zario Pro7 Days trial$17.991 Year
- Zario Pro7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Zario Pro$29.991 Year
- Zario Pro$39.991 Year
- Zario Pro7 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Annual$49.991 Year
- Zario Pro1 Month trial2 variants$59.991 Year
- Zario Pro14 Days trial$59.991 Year
- Zario Pro$59.991 Year
- Zario Pro7 Days trial$59.991 Year
- Accountability Fee Low$1.99
- Zario Pro Lifetime$29.99
- Zario Pro Lifetime$299.99
Screen Time Blocker
- Premium$1.991 Month
- Premium$2.991 Month
- Premium$4.991 Month
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Premium$9.991 Month
- Premium$19.991 Year
- Premium$29.991 Year
- Premium$39.991 Year
- Premium$79.991 Year
- 100yen$0.49
- 300yen$1.99
- 1000yen$5.99
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- Premium$24.99
- Premium$39.99
- Premium$59.99
- 10000yen$59.99
Questions
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Is Screen Time Blocker free?
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