Comparison

Arc vs Zensi

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

Head to head
About

Arc

This app helps you regain control of your screen time by setting session limits and providing smart nudges for your to-do lists. It offers advanced analytics to understand your scrolling habits and offers AI-powered recommendations for improvement.

Highlights
  • Session limits for automatic breaks
  • Smart nudges for to-do reminders
  • Integrated to-do lists
  • Advanced session analytics
  • AI-powered recommendations
  • Bedtime mode with sleep reminders
Features
Read full description

THE ARC DIFFERENCE Arc doesn't just block apps - it redirects your attention with a powerful three-part system: - Session Limits: Automatic breaks when a session has reached the set limit. No more unintentional doomscroll sessions. Daily limits are not helpful when the problem is getting sucked into the scroll hole and not realizing it. That's why we built session limits! - Smart Nudges: Gentle reminders about your to-dos while you scroll - Integrated To-Do Lists: Track what really matters, all in one place - Advanced Analytics: Track every session with precision. See exactly when you close apps yourself (exits) vs. when the timer saves you (lockouts). Discover your most addicting apps through unblock tracking, identify your best and worst self-control patterns, and get AI-powered recommendations tailored to YOUR behavior. No more guessing where to improve, the data shows you exactly which apps need stricter limits, where you're building great habits, and actionable steps to reduce your screen time based on real patterns, not generic advice or behavior patterns. HOW IT WORKS Select your distracting apps (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, etc.) Add your daily tasks and goals Get Nudged with your to-do tasks when you're mindlessly scrolling Session Limits create automatic breaks after extended sessions Watch scrolling turn into productivity BUILT FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE Set your bedtime to switch from productivity Nudges to Sleep Reminders. Arc adapts to help you make better use of your time all day long. PERFECT FOR: People who unconsciously doomscroll and want to stop Professionals who lose focus to social media Students procrastinating on assignments Anyone who wants to build healthy daily habits Scroll Goblins People tired of feeling guilty after doomscrolling START SEEING RESULTS Reclaim hours of your day Complete the tasks you've been avoiding Track scrolling habits through intelligent insights Build habits that stick Rebuild a healthy relationship with social media Feel accomplished, not guilty Download Arc and turn scrolling into productivity. Your goals are waiting. Terms of Use (EULA): https://arcapp.io/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://arcapp.io/privacy-policy

About

Zensi

This app uses AI coaching to help you manage screen time. It offers conversational guidance, smart blocking, and visual insights to build healthier digital habits without guilt.

Highlights
  • AI conversational coaching
  • Smart app blocking and focus timers
  • Visual usage insights and habit tracking
  • Negotiates screen use in real-time
  • Empathetic and supportive guidance
  • Templates for common use cases
Features
Read full description

Smarter screen time, powered by AI coaching. Zensi helps you pause, reflect, and take back control! It's 11:47 PM. You swore you'd be in bed by 11:00 - but somehow, you've just spent 47 minutes watching "one more" reel. Again. Just as your thumb moves to open another app, a gentle message appears: "Still up? Want to talk about it?" Zensi isn't just a blocker. It won't open an app for you until you provide a valid reason for it. It's your AI attention coach - one that listens, reasons, and helps you set healthy digital boundaries without guilt. It doesn't just say no - it redirects you to something you feel good about. Why Does Zensi Stand Out? - Conversational Boundaries: Our AI coach negotiates screen use in real time. - Smart Blocking: Set focus timers, app limits, or full schedules - all with flexible overrides. - Visual Insights: See where your time goes, and how your habits are changing. - A Timeline That Tells Your Story: Every decision is logged so that you can reflect, not just react. - Empathetic by Design: No scolding, no shame - just smart, supportive guidance. - Built for Real Life: Templates for Work, Night Scrolls, or Study Mode make setup easy. Core Features - Zensi AI: A built-in chat screen where your coach guides you through urges, patterns, and decisions. Say why you're tempted, and Zensi will respond with empathy and options. - Blocking Tools: Start a focus session, schedule app blocks, or set daily limits with just a few taps. Flexible enough to adjust, firm enough to protect your goals. - The Lab: Your digital attention journal. View trends over time and see your full negotiation history - decisions, overrides, and all. - Intercept Flow: Try to open a blocked app, and you'll be met with a choice: close it, or explain your need. Zensi listens, then grants or denies access based on your goals. - SECURE & PRIVATE: Powered by Apple's Screen Time API, your data remains fully private and protected. We don't track what you do on your device, and no personal information ever leaves your iPhone. Whether you're trying to stay focused at work, cut down on late-night scrolling, or simply spend less time on your phone, Zensi meets you where you are. With every tap, it learns how to help you better, supporting both structure and self-compassion. It is more than just a screen time tracker. It's a coach, a partner, and a quiet voice of reason in a world full of distractions. Download Zensi today and start making screen time a choice, not a reflex. PRO FEATURES: - Unlock all features, such as usage stats for up to a few years - Unlimited usage of AI coaching SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: - Screen Time Block Pro Yearly, $79.99/year The yearly plan offers two options: a 7-day trial or a 14-day trial. - Screen Time Block Pro Monthly, $9.99/month UNLIMITED ACCESS TO ALL FEATURES - Get unlimited access to all professional features by subscribing. - After making your purchase, your Apple Account will be charged. Unless you turn off auto-renewal at least 24 hours before the end of the current period in your Account Settings, your subscription will automatically renew. Privacy Policy: https://zensi.sophosaitool.com/policy.html Terms of Service: https://zensi.sophosaitool.com/termsofservice.html

Screenshots

Arc4 screens
Zensi4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Zensi at 100% against Arc's 64%. Zensi also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). Arc's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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. Arc sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days and Zensi sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Zensi holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 27 and 16 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Arc's written reviews are positive against 100% of Zensi's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Arc ships an update every 2 weeks, Zensi fortnightly. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Arc versus Zensi: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArcZensi
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (27 ratings)4.7 (16 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.6% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings27 — better16
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB136 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperArc Labs LLC (MT)Sophos AI

Customer experience

Arc

All ratings25 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative12.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive63.6%
Neutral9.1%
Negative27.3%

Zensi

All ratings16 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Arc

Subscriptions3
  • Arc Pro (Weekly)$5.997 Days
  • Arc Pro Monthly$8.991 Month
  • Arc Pro (Annual)3 Days trial$49.991 Year
5 purchases

Zensi

Subscriptions5
  • Screen Time Block Pro Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Screen Time Block Pro Weekly3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Screen Time Block Pro Monthly$9.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Screen Time Block Pro Yearly7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • Screen Time Block Pro Yearly2 variants$79.991 Year

Questions

Is Arc free?
Arc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Zensi free?
Zensi is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Arc or Zensi?
Zensi is rated higher. Arc averages 4.3 out of 5 from 27 ratings, while Zensi averages 4.7 from 16 ratings.
Do Arc or Zensi have ads?
Zensi shows ads; Arc does not.
Which is updated more often, Arc or Zensi?
Arc ships an update every 2 weeks, and Zensi fortnightly. Most recently, Arc was updated on November 5, 2026 and Zensi on November 5, 2026.

Other comparisons