Comparison

Ebbwell vs ZenMonkey

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

Head to head
About

Ebbwell

This app offers science-based recovery courses and AI coaching to help users break free from addiction. It provides structured programs, brain recovery education, and daily tools for managing cravings and tracking progress. Features include guided reflections, habit-aware coaching, and real-time streak tracking.

Highlights
  • Structured recovery courses (21-day to 365-day)
  • AI-powered reflection and companion coaching
  • Brain recovery science education
  • Real-time streak tracking (days, money saved)
  • Daily tools for cravings and mood logging
  • Multi-habit tracking
Features
Read full description

Ebbwell helps you quit drinking, smoking, or another habit with short daily lessons, honest check-ins, and AI feedback on what you write — not just a day counter. A DAILY RECOVERY PATH • One 365-lesson programme in four consecutive stages: Days 1–21, 22–90, 91–180, and 181–365 • Each lesson pairs a short reading with a reflection and a practical exercise • Later stages unlock as you progress • The first 7 lessons of the introductory course are free. Lesson 8 onward requires Ebbwell Pro. CHECK-IN AND AI FEEDBACK • Log your mood, craving intensity, emotions, and how you responded in one check-in • Write what happened and get AI feedback on your reflections and craving logs • Feedback adapts to your habit and progress, and replies in the language you write in WHEN AN URGE HITS • Guardian: wait 10 minutes, call a trusted contact, or send a prepared message • Guided breathing with calming soundscapes and optional voice guidance • Craving and trigger logging to help you spot patterns TRACK YOUR PROGRESS • A live streak for each habit — alcohol, smoking, and more • Milestones that celebrate your progress • Estimates of money saved and time reclaimed, plus savings goals • Journey timeline and stats for your check-ins and milestones • Home Screen widget for your primary habit UNDERSTAND YOUR RECOVERY • An educational timeline of changes many people notice after quitting — everyone's experience is different • Learn how cravings, dopamine, and habit loops work BUILT FOR EVERY DAY • Calm light and dark themes • Support for larger text sizes • Available in 34 languages YOUR DATA AI features require an internet connection. Your submitted text and relevant habit, streak, and craving context are sent to our servers and AI service providers to generate feedback. Our servers also store device, entitlement, and usage records. See our Privacy Policy for details. EBBWELL PRO Ebbwell Pro unlocks lesson 8 onward and removes the monthly AI feedback limit. Choose a monthly subscription, an annual subscription (new subscribers get a 7-day free trial), or a one-time lifetime purchase. Ebbwell is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you may be at risk of severe withdrawal, talk to a doctor before you stop. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

ZenMonkey

This app offers a minimalist, distraction-free space for self-guided mindfulness and meditation practice. It helps users return to their breath and body, with optional heart rate insights and integration with Apple Health.

Highlights
  • Distraction-free sessions
  • Gentle bell chimes
  • Apple HealthKit integration
  • Heart rate insights (with Apple Watch)
  • On-device data storage
  • Practice trends and history
Features
Read full description

Every practice is a gift you give to yourself. ZenMonkey is a minimalist mindfulness companion for self-guided practitioners. In the midst of noise and distraction, it offers a quiet space to return to your breath, your body, and the present moment. [ About ZenMonkey & the “Monkey Mind” ] In many traditions, the “Monkey Mind” describes a restless, wandering mind — thoughts leaping from branch to branch, never staying still. ZenMonkey takes this metaphor as its core, making the practice journey more tangible. When you drift away, the inner monkey grows agitated; as you return and stay with your practice, it gradually settles into calm. The goal is not to eliminate thoughts, but to meet them with awareness and gently “tame the monkey.” [ Who Is ZenMonkey For? ] - Practitioners who already have some mindfulness or meditation experience and want a quiet, self-guided space. - People who prefer long-term, low-noise, sustainable practice woven into daily life. - Anyone who feels pulled by anxiety or racing thoughts and wants a simple way to come back to the breath and the body. Whether in the morning, during a short break, or before sleep, ZenMonkey can be your small, steady practice corner each day. [ Why ZenMonkey? ] ◆ Distraction-free sessions No coaching or constant pop-ups. ZenMonkey offers a clean practice screen with gentle bell chimes at the start, optional intervals, and the end — so you can fully sink into your own awareness. ◆ Integrated with the Apple ecosystem With your permission, ZenMonkey uses HealthKit to unify your mindfulness minutes across the Apple ecosystem. Both in-app sessions and supported Apple Watch “Mindfulness” data can contribute to a single long-term practice record. ◆ Heart rate insights (with Apple Watch) With Apple Watch and the proper permissions, ZenMonkey can access your heart rate during sessions. This helps you observe subtle changes in your physiological state and sense how the body responds as you practice. You can still use all core practice, journaling, and history features without a watch — Apple Watch simply adds deeper physiological insights. ◆ Privacy & Security Your practice notes and calmness ratings are stored on your device and in your private iCloud container. We do not run our own servers for this data and cannot access your personal records; your practice remains yours. [ ZenMonkey Pro – Deeper Insights ] Unlock richer long-term perspectives on your practice: ○ Practice trends: See how your practice time, frequency, and rhythm evolve over time. ○ Heart rate reviews: Look back at heart rate changes throughout each session. ○ iCloud sync: Keep your practice history aligned across your Apple devices. [ Not for Medical Use ] ZenMonkey is designed to support mindfulness, meditation, and self-care, helping you cultivate awareness and relaxation. It does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment, or emergency intervention, and it is not a substitute for professional doctors, therapists or other healthcare providers. If you are experiencing serious physical or mental health difficulties, please seek professional help. [ Subscriptions & Auto-Renewal ] ZenMonkey Pro is offered as a subscription that unlocks advanced features such as practice trends, heart rate insights, and iCloud sync. Monthly and yearly options are available. If auto-renew is enabled, your subscription will automatically renew and be charged to your Apple ID account within 24 hours before the current period ends. You can manage or cancel your subscription at any time in iPhone Settings under “Apple ID > Subscriptions,” including turning off auto-renew. After cancellation, Pro features remain available until the end of the current paid period, then revert to the features included in the free version. [ Terms of Use & Privacy Policy ] Terms of Use: https://iiisle.studio/zenmonkey/terms Privacy Policy: https://iiisle.studio/zenmonkey/privacy

Screenshots

Ebbwell4 screens
ZenMonkey4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: ZenMonkey at fortnightly against Ebbwell's every 6 weeks. ZenMonkey also leads on device support (3 vs 1). On price, review sentiment, ads 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. Ebbwell sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $29.99 per year and ZenMonkey sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ebbwell ships an update every 6 weeks, ZenMonkey fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Ebbwell versus ZenMonkey: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEbbwellZenMonkey
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size95 MB17 MB
Age rating12+4+
Developer宁 丁iiisle Studio

Customer experience

Ebbwell

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

ZenMonkey

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Ebbwell

Subscriptions1
  • Ebbwell Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Ebbwell Lifetime Pro$79.99
3 purchases

ZenMonkey

Subscriptions2
  • ZenMonkey Pro Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • ZenMonkey Pro Yearly7 Days trial$12.991 Year
One-time1
  • ZenMonkey Pro Lifetime$24.99

Questions

Is Ebbwell free?
Ebbwell is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ZenMonkey free?
ZenMonkey is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Ebbwell or ZenMonkey have ads?
Neither Ebbwell nor ZenMonkey shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ebbwell or ZenMonkey?
Ebbwell ships an update every 6 weeks, and ZenMonkey fortnightly. Most recently, Ebbwell was updated on October 21, 2026 and ZenMonkey on October 20, 2026.

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