Zen vs Core1
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Zen
Train your focus by tapping a screen and noticing when your mind wanders. Consistent short daily sessions can improve attention span, reduce stress, and enhance concentration.
- Focus training through screen tapping
- Mind wandering detection
- Improved attention span
- Stress and anxiety reduction
- Short daily practice sessions
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Anyone can keep track of how many times they tap a screen, that isn't the point of this training. While you count, you will get bored and your mind will start to wander. Catching yourself getting distracted IS THE REAL EXERCISE. Practicing 5 to 10 minutes a day can yield lasting benefits like: - Longer attention span - Higher quality of focus - Stress and anxiety reduction Short daily sessions have better results than occasionally doing a long session.
Core1
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Focus on one habit. Just one. Core 1 helps you build one habit at a time. Plant a seed, watch it grow into a tree, and earn your reward when you're done. Features: - One habit at a time — no overwhelm - Grow a tree as you build consistency - Name your tree after who you want to become - Set daily reminders - Set a personal reward to celebrate your success - Build a forest of completed habits Start small. Stay steady. Watch it grow.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Core1 at every 3 days against Zen's fortnightly. Zen's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Zen ships an update fortnightly, Core1 every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Zen | Core1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 84 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Michael Garcia | Heather Kim |
In-app purchases
Zen
No in-app purchases
Core1
No in-app purchases
