Digitox vs ScreenZen (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Digitox if

• Fits if you scroll short videos on Android and want an alarm after a set number
• Works for people who want an app with no account

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you use iPhone, because it is Android only and iOS is a waitlist
• Watch out: the free version's limits are unclear, as the one $4.49 purchase is not described
• Watch out: it needs Accessibility Service, and keyword usage metrics are shared in aggregate for market research
• Too light to trust yet, as the video and topic features are beta

Pick ScreenZen if

• Fits if you want a screen time blocker without another subscription
• Works for people who'd rather slow social apps down than delete them

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you'd rather not grant the Accessibility permission on Android, which website blocking relies on
• Skip it if you're outside the US and want halo, since it ships to the US only
• Skip it if you work on Linux or in a browser, as the apps are for phones, Mac and Windows only
• Watch out: halo costs $49 and needs iOS 16.4 or Android 12.0 or later
• Watch out: the Windows version is a direct download from the site, and no integrations are listed

Digitox

• Android only for now; the site offers an iOS waitlist.
• The Play listing shows one in-app price but not what it unlocks, so the free tier's limits are unclear.
• Needs Accessibility Service access, and the listing says anonymous usage metrics, including keywords seen, are collected and shared in aggregate for market research.
• The content features are marked beta on the Play listing.

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.

Digitox

App usage limits

Sets daily limits on any app and reminds you before you go over.

Short-video diet mode

Caps the number of TikTok, Reels or YouTube Shorts videos per day; labeled beta on the listing.

Topic blocker

Blocks adult or political content across apps; labeled beta on the listing.

Work-hours app blocking

Blocks distracting apps during set work hours.

No account needed

The site says there are no accounts and no personal information collected.

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.

Digitox

• In-app purchase$4.49

  per item; billing period and what it unlocks not stated

  The only in-app price the US Google Play listing shows.

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.