Comparison

GradeStack vs ZoneBlock

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

Head to head
About

GradeStack

This academic planner helps university and college students organize their terms, subjects, classes, and assessments. It offers real-time grade tracking, smart scheduling, and productivity tools to manage academic life. Premium features include advanced grade views, notifications, and calendar integration.

Highlights
  • Academic life planning (terms, subjects, assessments, classes)
  • Real-time grade tracking (WAM, GPA)
  • Customizable grading scales and modes
  • Smart scheduling with calendar view
  • Productivity gauges and progress graphs
  • iCloud sync across devices
  • Premium features: notifications, calendar integration, data export
Read full description

GradeStack is the all-in-one academic planner designed to empower university and college students to master their academic journey with ease and precision. Organize your terms, subjects, assessments, classes, and more while staying on top of your grades and productivity. Key Features: - Plan Your Academic Life: Input term details (start/end dates), subjects (with credit points), assessments (weights, due dates, results), and classes (single or recurring) - Customize class types (lectures, tutorials, etc.), assign teachers, and set holidays that can automatically shift intersecting classes. - Real-Time Grade Tracking: Automatically calculate grades per subject, term, and overall, with support for Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and Grade Point Average (GPA). - Define custom grading scales, GPA systems, and exclude subjects or override grades as needed. - Stay Productive: View upcoming classes and assessments at a glance. Custom gauges display completed vs. remaining tasks, while graphs track your subject marks over time as assessments are completed. - Flexible Grading Modes: Toggle between ascending (start at 0%, build up) and descending (start at 100%, deduct) grading modes to see instant recalculations tailored to your preference. - Smart Scheduling: Configure single or repeating classes with custom recurrence rules. Assign class types and teachers (manually or from system contacts). Visualize your schedule in a Calendar view, with day or week timelines showing classes and assessments. - iCloud Sync: Seamlessly back up and sync your data between iOS and macOS devices for a unified experience. Premium Features: - Unlock WAM and GPA views, complete with dedicated widgets for quick access. - Import/export data to JSON files for easy backups or transfers. - Receive customizable notifications for classes and assessments, set globally or individually. - Integrate with your system calendar to export classes and their recurrences as events. GradeStack is the ultimate academic companion, helping you plan, track, and succeed with confidence. Download now and take control of your university journey!

About

ZoneBlock

Features
Read full description

LOCATION-BASED APP BLOCKING ZoneBlock automatically blocks distracting apps and websites when you enter specific locations. Create zones at work, school, gym, or anywhere you need to stay focused. WEBSITE BLOCKING Block distracting websites across all browsers and apps. Add individual domains or choose from preset categories: - Social Media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok) - Video Streaming (YouTube, Netflix, Twitch) - News Sites - Shopping Sites - Gaming Sites SMART ZONE MANAGEMENT - Set custom radius for each zone (50m to 5km) - Choose between Block mode or Allow Only mode - View detailed zone information and history - Edit zones only when disabled for safety - 3-hour delay for zone changes (or instant for $0.99) STRAIGHT MODE Quick-access blocking without location requirements. Perfect for spontaneous focus sessions. - Select apps and websites to block - One-tap activation from home screen - 3-hour delay before turning off (free) - Instant turn-off available for $0.99 DRIVING MODE Automatically blocks apps while driving to keep you safe on the road. Uses motion detection to activate. MEETING MODE Block distractions during calendar events. Integrates with your calendar for automatic activation. PREMIUM FEATURES - Unlimited zones (free users get 3) - Advanced analytics and charts - Smart suggestions based on usage - Achievement system - Priority support PRIVACY FIRST - All blocking happens on your device - No data collection or tracking - Screen Time API for secure app blocking - Local DNS filtering for website blocking Perfect for: - Students staying focused during study sessions - Professionals blocking distractions at work - Parents managing screen time - Anyone building better digital habits Download ZoneBlock and take control of your digital life. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

GradeStack4 screens
ZoneBlock4 screens

Verdict

The call

GradeStack and ZoneBlock 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. GradeStack sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and ZoneBlock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GradeStack ships an update every 2 weeks, ZoneBlock fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
GradeStack versus ZoneBlock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGradeStackZoneBlock
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPaul TavitianPavlo Hurkovskyi

In-app purchases

1 purchases

GradeStack

One-time1
  • GradeStack Premium$2.99
2 purchases

ZoneBlock

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Premium Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is GradeStack free?
GradeStack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ZoneBlock free?
ZoneBlock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do GradeStack or ZoneBlock have ads?
Neither GradeStack nor ZoneBlock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GradeStack or ZoneBlock?
GradeStack ships an update every 2 weeks, and ZoneBlock fortnightly. Most recently, GradeStack was updated on September 25, 2026 and ZoneBlock on October 10, 2026.

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