Comparison

Zeno vs NyanLock

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

NyanLock

This app helps you reduce screen time by locking distracting apps. Unlock them by interacting with virtual cats through petting or watching short videos, making habit change enjoyable.

Highlights
  • Lock distracting apps
  • Unlock by petting or watching cats
  • Streak tracking for consecutive unlocks
  • Collect daily stamps
  • View 'Cat Time' chart
  • Pro features: AI stamps, family sharing
Features
Read full description

Turn screen time into cat time. NyanLock locks the apps you doomscroll and lets you unlock them by spending a moment with a cat. Because it's delightful instead of restrictive, it's a screen-time habit you'll actually keep. WHO IT'S FOR - You lose hours to social media and videos before you notice - You want to cut down on your phone, but willpower alone never lasts - You love cats and could use a little calm HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose the apps you want to limit and lock them 2. Open a locked app and a friendly block screen appears 3. To unlock, just "pet a cat" or "watch a cat video" TWO WAYS TO UNLOCK WITH A CAT - Pet to Unlock: stroke a real cat on camera through the screen. No cat at home? You can pet a cat video instead. - Watch to Unlock: simply enjoy adorable cat clips for a little while. BUILT TO KEEP YOU GOING - Unlock on consecutive days to grow your streak and earn milestone stamps - Collect a stamp on your calendar every day you unlock - See your "Cat Time" (time spent with cats) grow on a chart NYANLOCK PRO - Pet to Unlock - Keep and rewatch your clips and best shots forever - Original AI stamps created from your own cat - Family sharing for stamps and videos - Weekly reports A gentler relationship with your phone, starting today—together with a cat. --- - Locking apps requires permission for iOS Screen Time (Family Controls). - Pet-to-Unlock camera frames are processed on your device, and recordings are stored on-device only by default. - NyanLock Pro is an auto-renewing subscription. Monthly and yearly plans are available; see the in-app display for pricing. - Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel subscriptions in your account settings after purchase. Terms of Use (EULA): https://nyanlock.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://nyanlock.com/privacy

Screenshots

Zeno4 screens
NyanLock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Zeno at none against NyanLock's 2. Zeno also leads on iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). On price, review sentiment, 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. NyanLock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Zeno asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Zeno versus NyanLock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZenoNyanLock
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (8 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings8 — better—
Update frequency—Every 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.6 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKarthik Sivacharan LoganathanPixel Tokyo Inc.

Customer experience

Zeno

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

NyanLock

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

In-app purchases

None

Zeno

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

NyanLock

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

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

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