Comparison

Zen vs DharmaMonk

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Focus training through screen tapping
  • Mind wandering detection
  • Improved attention span
  • Stress and anxiety reduction
  • Short daily practice sessions
Features
Read full description

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.

About

DharmaMonk

Features
Read full description

When life gets heavy, you don't always need an answer — sometimes you just need to be heard. My Zen Master is a private conversation partner grounded in Buddhist wisdom. Ask about anxiety, grief, identity, restlessness, or anything weighing on your mind — and receive thoughtful reflections drawn from wisdom traditions including Zen, Tiantai, Mādhyamika, and modern contemplatives. No accounts. No tracking. Your reflections stay yours. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT • No subscriptions, no ads, no data collection • Draws from real philosophical depth — not generic affirmations • Responds in your language — English, Chinese, and more • Conversation feels natural, not scripted WHO IT'S FOR • Anyone going through a hard time who wants perspective, not platitudes • Meditators looking for a reflection companion • People curious about Buddhist philosophy but unsure where to start • Anyone who values privacy in their inner life Built with care. No internet required. Just you and the question. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT • Philosophically grounded — Drawing from Tiantai Buddhism, Mādhyamika, consciousness studies, and social philosophy. • Personal memory — The master remembers what you share across sessions, offering deeper, more personal reflections over time. Clear your memories anytime. • No subscriptions, no ads, no tracking — Free, private, and yours. HOW IT WORKS Ask about meditation, the Four Noble Truths, dependent origination, emptiness (śūnyatā), or simply share what's on your mind. The master meets you where you are.

Screenshots

Zen3 screens
DharmaMonk4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: DharmaMonk at every 2 days against Zen's fortnightly. Zen's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Zen ships an update fortnightly, DharmaMonk every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Zen versus DharmaMonk: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZenDharmaMonk
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size84 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMichael GarciaZHONGJIE ZHANG

In-app purchases

None

Zen

No in-app purchases

None

DharmaMonk

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Zen free?
Zen is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is DharmaMonk free?
DharmaMonk is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Zen or DharmaMonk have ads?
Neither Zen nor DharmaMonk shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Zen or DharmaMonk?
Zen ships an update fortnightly, and DharmaMonk every 2 days. Most recently, Zen was updated on October 9, 2026 and DharmaMonk on September 28, 2026.

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