Zeno vs Waddle
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Steps-to-Minutes Conversion
- App Selection
- Morning Block Window
- Credit Dashboard
- Apple Health Integration
- Privacy First
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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.
Waddle
This app encourages physical activity by locking down chosen applications until a daily step goal is met. Users can track their progress on a personal map, compete with friends in leagues, and unlock virtual rewards. It aims to help users reduce excessive screen time by making them earn their digital access through walking.
- Lock chosen apps until step goal is met
- Earn extra minutes by exceeding step goals
- Explore a walking map of your city
- Find and connect with friends
- Maintain daily step streaks with freezes
- Compete in weekly leagues
- Unlock virtual ducks and trophies
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Walk more. Scroll less. Your phone is the reason you're not hitting your steps. Every "just one more video" keeps you on the couch, and the walk you promised yourself never happens. Waddle changes that: before you open Instagram, TikTok or your games, you walk. Then your apps unlock. It's a simple step counter that locks your apps, made for anyone who wants to walk 10,000 steps a day without relying on willpower. HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose the apps to lock 2. Set your daily step goal 3. Walk: every step earns screen time 4. Hit your goal, free your duck, and scroll guilt-free WHAT YOU GET • App blocking: your apps stay locked until you walk • A step counter that turns walking into screen time • Walking streaks: see your progress every single day • Weekly insights: your average steps and the screen time you won back • A city map that reveals itself as you walk • Friend streaks to keep each other moving PERFECT FOR • Building a daily walking habit (hello, 10k steps) • Cutting your screen time without deleting your apps • Getting in shape without forcing it • Getting your evenings back Waddle isn't just another pedometer. It's the accountability you've been missing: it turns time on your phone into time on your feet. Download Waddle and start your walking streak today. PRIVACY Waddle uses Apple's Screen Time framework to lock the apps you choose. We never see which apps you use or what you do in them, and nothing leaves your device for advertising. Waddle requires an active subscription to unlock its features. Terms of Service: https://grove-eggplant-3f5.notion.site/Terms-of-Service-3a34f62259b1814bafb3f76c9af86fe2 Privacy Policy: https://grove-eggplant-3f5.notion.site/Privacy-Policy-3a34f62259b181e2848bc59ea6628b85
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Zeno at none against Waddle's 4. Zeno also leads on ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. Waddle sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Zeno asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Zeno against 5.0 for Waddle. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 6 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
| Parameter | Zeno | Waddle |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (8 ratings) | 5.0 (6 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | — | Weekly |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Karthik Sivacharan Loganathan | Corentin Martins |
Customer experience
Zeno
Waddle
In-app purchases
Zeno
No in-app purchases
Waddle
- Waddle Premium — Weekly$9.997 Days
- Premium Yearly — Final Offer$10.491 Year
- Premium Yearly — Gift Offer$17.491 Year
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- Waddle Premium — Yearly$34.901 Year









