Comparison

ZenMonkey vs Mindful.

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

Head to head
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

About

Mindful.

Features
Read full description

Mindful. is a meditation timer built for Apple Watch - simple, distraction-free, and designed to get out of your way. Choose a timed session or meditate freely with infinity mode. Set your duration, pick your bell sound, and begin. Features: • Circle and infinity timer modes • Customizable starting and ending bell sounds • Optional countdown before sessions • Mindful minutes saved to Apple Health • Session history with streaks and stats • Designed for always-on display No accounts. No subscriptions. No clutter. Just breathe.

Screenshots

ZenMonkey4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Mindful. at none against ZenMonkey's 3. 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. ZenMonkey sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Mindful. asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
ZenMonkey versus Mindful.: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZenMonkeyMindful.
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developeriiisle StudioTHE FRONT SIA

In-app purchases

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
None

Mindful.

No in-app purchases

Questions

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

Other comparisons