Comparison

Applimits vs ZenMaru

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Applimits

Features
Read full description

Can't focus? Keep reaching for your phone? Solve these problems now! Applimits is a powerful app blocker designed for those who are serious about staying focused. 【Perfect for】 ・Students and professionals studying for exams or certifications ・Those who can't resist checking social media or games during work ・Anyone wanting to break free from phone addiction ・People losing sleep from late-night phone scrolling 【Key Features】 ■ Usage Time Limits (Up to 6 schedules on paid plan) Set specific apps and daily time limits for each day of the week. Automatic enforcement keeps you on track. ■ Instant Block Use flexible timers to manage work and study sessions. Selected apps become inaccessible while the timer runs. ■ Scheduled Restrictions Block specific apps during certain hours, like before bedtime or during study time. Keep essential apps accessible while eliminating distractions. ■ Hard Lock Mode (Premium) Completely lock settings and timers. No relying on willpower—make it physically impossible to disable restrictions. This prevents the "just this once" temptation. 【Use Cases】 ・Block social media and games completely during exam prep ・Auto-restrict YouTube and TikTok 2 hours before bedtime ・Guarantee 3 hours of daily study time until your certification exam For those who find Screen Time insufficient and are serious about focus. Let Applimits help you accomplish what needs to be done. Terms of Use: https://applimits.com/en/termsofuse Privacy Policy: https://applimits.com/en/privacypolicy

About

ZenMaru

Read full description

Make room for the task in front of you. ZenMaru blocks distracting apps while you work, study or read, with a calm design and Maru by your side. FREE TO START • Choose apps, categories and websites to block. • Start a 15, 25 or 50-minute session; adjust from 15 to 180 minutes. • Write down what you want to focus on. • Solve 3 math questions for a 1–15 minute temporary unlock. • Set a daily goal and view your last 7 days, session history and streak. After a break, blocking resumes while an active session or rule still applies. ZENMARU PRO A monthly auto-renewing subscription adds automatic blocking schedules, with work, study and evening templates. Check pricing and terms before purchase. Manage your subscription in the App Store. RECORDS YOU CAN UNDERSTAND Focus time is manual timer time minus breaks, including sessions ended early. It is not a measure of reduced screen time. Automatic schedules are not counted. Settings and records stay on your device. No ads or external analytics SDKs. Blocking requires Apple Screen Time permission. New focus screens are available in English and Japanese. Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy: https://sapphire-case-713.notion.site/3746e5ba5e9680e1a7faf4b5aecea529

Screenshots

Applimits4 screens
ZenMaru4 screens

Verdict

The call

Applimits and ZenMaru are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Applimits sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and ZenMaru sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Applimits ships an update every 10 days, ZenMaru fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Applimits versus ZenMaru: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterApplimitsZenMaru
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.417.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBUTTERFALCONYujiro Okano

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Applimits

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Annual7 Days trial$29.991 Year
1 purchases

ZenMaru

Subscriptions1
  • ZenMaru Pro Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month

Questions

Is Applimits free?
Applimits is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ZenMaru free?
ZenMaru is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Applimits or ZenMaru have ads?
Neither Applimits nor ZenMaru shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Applimits or ZenMaru?
Applimits ships an update every 10 days, and ZenMaru fortnightly. Most recently, Applimits was updated on October 24, 2026 and ZenMaru on October 24, 2026.

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