Comparison

ScrollSteps vs Zeno

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

Head to head
About

ScrollSteps

This app locks distracting applications, requiring users to walk a set number of steps to earn screen time. It encourages users to be more intentional with their phone usage by gamifying physical activity. Turn your phone into a tool for progress by walking more and scrolling less.

Highlights
  • Earn screen time through walking
  • Locks distracting apps
  • Gamified physical activity
  • Promotes intentional phone use
  • Reduces doomscrolling
  • Subscription-based premium features
Features
Read full description

ScrollSteps turns walking into the only way to unlock your most distracting apps. Instead of relying on willpower, you earn screen time by moving: every 100 steps = 1 minute of access. If you haven’t walked enough, your apps stay locked. Take a short walk, earn minutes, and come back with intention instead of falling into a doomscrolling spiral in social media. Walk more, scroll less, and turn your phone into a tool that nudges you toward a better life. Stop doomscrolling. Start doing. All that lost time could’ve been progress—and your future still can be. 

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION A ScrollSteps SUBSCRIPTION is required to unlock and enjoy all features. ScrollSteps is free to download, and you can choose from the following options inside the app: * Annual subscription with free trial: Try all premium features for a limited time, then continue with an annual subscription if you don’t cancel before the trial ends. * Monthly subscription: Recurring subscription that grants full access to all premium features. * Lifetime access: One‑time purchase that unlocks all current premium features for the lifetime of the ScrollSteps app while it remains available on the App Store and is maintained by us (not your personal lifetime). Subscriptions will automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Your Apple Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage your subscription and turn off auto‑renewal at any time in your Apple Account settings after purchase. If you start the annual free trial and subscribe before it ends, any remaining free trial period will be forfeited when your purchase is confirmed. Please review the Licensed Application End User License Agreement (EULA): Apple Standard EULA Privacy Policy: https://klncemre.github.io/steplocker-web/privacy.html Terms of Use: https://klncemre.github.io/steplocker-web/terms.html

About

Zeno

This app links physical activity to phone usage, allowing users to earn app time by walking. It helps reduce screen time by creating a positive feedback loop where movement unlocks access to chosen applications.

Highlights
  • Steps-to-Minutes Conversion
  • App Selection
  • Morning Block Window
  • Credit Dashboard
  • Apple Health Integration
  • Privacy First
Read full description

Your steps unlock your apps. It's that simple. Free forever for early adopters! Zeno is a unique screen time app that connects your physical movement to your phone usage. Walk 1,000 steps, earn 10 minutes of app time. No complicated systems. No harsh blocking. Just a simple trade that helps you move more and scroll less. --- THE PROBLEM 5-6 hours. That's how much time you spend on your phone each day. Most of it happens on autopilot - opening Instagram in bed, scrolling TikTok between tasks, falling into YouTube rabbit holes. You've tried Screen Time limits. You've tried willpower. They don't work because they fight against your brain instead of working with it. --- A DIFFERENT APPROACH Zeno doesn't punish you for wanting to use your phone. Instead, it asks one simple question: Have you moved today? • Walk 1,000 steps → Earn 10 minutes of app time • Walk 3,000 steps → Earn 30 minutes • Walk 10,000 steps → Earn 100 minutes Your body becomes the unlock key. Every step counts toward the apps you actually want to use. --- HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose Your Apps Pick 2-3 apps that drain your time and focus. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X - whatever your "brain rot" apps are. 2. Set Your Window Block access during your most vulnerable hours. Morning? Evening? You decide when you need protection most. 3. Walk to Unlock Zeno reads your steps from Apple Health. As you move, you earn credits. Spend credits to unlock your apps. 4. Stay Accountable See exactly how much time you've earned versus spent. Gentle nudges help you walk more when credits run low. --- WHY ZENO IS DIFFERENT Unlike other blockers that rely on willpower alone, Zeno creates a positive feedback loop: - Want to scroll? Go for a walk first. - The walk improves your mood and focus. - By the time you've earned your time, you often don't need it. - And if you do use it, you've already done something good for yourself. This isn't about restriction. It's about earning. --- PERFECT FOR • Morning doomscrollers who reach for their phone before getting out of bed • Students and professionals who lose hours to social media • Anyone managing ADHD who needs gentle friction, not harsh rules • People who want to move more but struggle to find motivation • Anyone tired of Screen Time limits they ignore after 5 seconds --- FEATURES • Steps-to-Minutes Conversion — Simple 1,000 steps = 10 minutes formula • App Selection — Choose which apps require credits to unlock • Morning Block Window — Protect your most vulnerable hours • Credit Dashboard — See exactly what you've earned and spent • Apple Health Integration — Automatic step counting, no extra devices needed • Privacy First — All data stays on your device. No accounts required. --- THE ZENO PHILOSOPHY Named after the ancient philosopher who taught that small, consistent actions lead to wisdom, Zeno believes the same about your attention. You don't need to quit social media. You don't need extreme digital detoxes. You just need a simple trade: movement for screen time. Walk first. Then scroll. --- PRIVACY BY DESIGN We don't want your data. We want you to walk more and scroll less. No servers are storing your information. Read our full privacy policy - https://coda.io/d/_dh90kqvCMi1/Zeno-Privacy-Policy_suHlQDRA --- Download Zeno and start earning your screen time today.

Screenshots

ScrollSteps4 screens
Zeno4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Zeno at 5.0 against ScrollSteps's 4.0. Zeno also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5). On price, ratings volume, ads 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. ScrollSteps sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $17.99 per month. Zeno asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Zeno holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 4 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
ScrollSteps versus Zeno: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScrollStepsZeno
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings34 — better
Update frequencyMonthly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.617.6
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB5 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperEmre KilincKarthik Sivacharan Loganathan

Customer experience

ScrollSteps

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Zeno

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

ScrollSteps

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly$17.991 Month
  • Monthly Premium$17.991 Month
  • StepLocker (Annual Plan)$24.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • StepLocker (1 year)$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime StepLocker$39.99
None

Zeno

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ScrollSteps free?
ScrollSteps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Zeno free?
Zeno is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ScrollSteps or Zeno?
Zeno is rated higher. ScrollSteps averages 4.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Zeno averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do ScrollSteps or Zeno have ads?
Neither ScrollSteps nor Zeno shows ads.

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