Clearspace vs ScreenZen

Clearspace

• People who want friction before social apps rather than a hard block
• Phone users who want a time budget for each scrolling session
• Anyone motivated by accountability partners, streaks and exercise challenges

ScreenZen

• People who want a screen time blocker without paying a subscription
• Adding a pause before social apps instead of removing them
• Keeping phones out of use in the bedroom with the optional halo device

Clearspace

• Clearspace publishes no pricing page; the only prices found are in-app purchases on the app stores.
• The US App Store lists three purchases named Clearspace Premium at $44.99, $49.99 and $59.99 without saying how they differ.
• The iOS app is for iPhone only and there is no Mac or Windows app; on a computer Clearspace runs as a Chrome extension.
• The Google Play listing leaves out the schedules and accountability partners that the iPhone listing describes.

ScreenZen

• The app is funded by donations; its in-app purchases are optional tips, listed from $5 to $40 on the US App Store.
• The halo companion device costs $49, ships to the US only and works with iOS 16.4 or later and Android 12.0 or later.
• The Windows version is a direct download from ScreenZen's site, while the Mac version shares the App Store listing with the iPhone and iPad app.
• On Android, website blocking relies on the Accessibility permission.

Clearspace

Pause before opening

A selected app opens only after a short centering exercise such as a deep breath, which gives you a moment to decide whether to go in at all.

Session limits

You tell Clearspace how long you want to spend in an app, and it pulls you out when that time is up.

Blocking and schedules

Distracting apps can be blocked outright, and schedules set the windows when chosen apps may be used.

Screen time challenges

Screen time challenges are meant to train your attention, and exercise modes make you do pushups, squats or steps to earn scrolling time.

Accountability and reporting

On iPhone, trusted accountability partners help you keep to your goals, and streaks and budgets summarize your screen time.

Chrome extension

Blocks or limits websites with the same pause-before-opening step, hides social media feeds and offers a Reader Mode that strips a page down to its text.

ScreenZen

Delay before an app opens

A wait is added before a distracting app opens, and it can lengthen with each open. A message of your choice, such as a question to yourself, is shown meanwhile.

Interrupted sessions

Apps can be opened for short periods only, so each session ends with a prompt to decide whether to keep going.

Limits and strict blocks

Set a daily goal per app and optionally block it at the limit. Strict blocks can apply to time ranges, after a number of opens or after a set screen time.

Schedules by day and time

Settings can differ by day of the week and time of day for each app, for example stricter rules during work hours or at bedtime.

Lock mode

Settings can be locked so they cannot be changed on impulse, and the site says lock mode can prevent uninstalling the app.

halo companion device

An optional Bluetooth device, sold separately, that blocks chosen apps while the phone is inside its radius of up to 50 ft, such as a bedroom.

Clearspace

• Free$0

  The app is a free download. The store listings do not spell out what the free version includes.

• Clearspace Premium (Monthly)$6.99

  per month, US App Store in-app purchase

  Premium paid month to month. The listing does not itemize what Premium adds.

• Clearspace Premium (Annual)$44.99

  per year, US App Store in-app purchase

  Premium billed yearly. The listing also shows purchases named Clearspace Premium at $49.99 and $59.99 with no billing period.

• Clearspace Premium Family$79.99

  US App Store in-app purchase; billing period not shown

  A family version of Premium. The listing gives neither the billing period nor the number of people covered.

ScreenZen

• ScreenZen$0

  The complete app: delays, limits, strict blocks, schedules and lock mode. Optional tips of $5 to $40 are listed on the US App Store.

Clearspace

• Annual discount

  Annual Premium costs about 46% less than monthly

  The US App Store lists Clearspace Premium at $44.99 a year against $6.99 a month, which comes to $83.88 over twelve months.

ScreenZen

No public discounts listed.