Comparison

Zeno vs Held

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

Head to head
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.

About

Held

Features
Read full description

Held helps you turn intentions into repeatable focus rituals, then protects that time by blocking distracting apps while your ritual is active. Create rituals manually, by voice, or simply tell the in-app AI coach what you want to do and how long you have. Held turns it into a clear, step-by-step ritual you can follow. What you can do with Held Create focus rituals in seconds (manual, voice, or AI-guided) Block selected apps or block everything during a ritual (so you can’t “accidentally” drift) Build streaks and stay consistent with gentle momentum Track your progress and see how your habits evolve over time Get coaching when you feel the urge to unlock, quick prompts, not essays Perfect for Deep work, studying, evening shutdown routines, workouts, reading, journaling, anything you want to protect from distractions. Make focus automatic. Protect your time. Build your streak. Privacy Policy URL: https://held-app.framer.website/legals/privacy-policy Terms of Service (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Zeno4 screens
Held4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Zeno at none against Held's 2. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Held sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Zeno asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Zeno versus Held: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZenoHeld
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (8 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.6 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKarthik Sivacharan LoganathanRelja Bulajic

In-app purchases

None

Zeno

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Held

Subscriptions2
  • Held Premium$5.991 Month
  • Held Premium$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Zeno free?
Zeno is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Held free?
Held is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Zeno or Held have ads?
Neither Zeno nor Held shows ads.

Other comparisons