Freedom vs ScreenZen

Freedom

• People who want one blocking session to cover a computer and a phone together
• Cutting off the whole internet, not only selected sites, for a set period
• Buyers who would rather pay once for lifetime access than subscribe

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

Freedom

• Free accounts are limited to Start Now sessions of up to 2 hours; scheduling, recurring sessions and Locked Mode need Premium.
• Linux and Chromebook are supported through the browser extension only, and app blocking is not available on Chromebook.
• Website exceptions, which allow only the sites you list, work on Mac and Windows only.

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.

Freedom

Website, app and internet blocking

A session can block chosen websites, chosen apps or all internet access. App blocking covers Mac, Windows, iOS and Android but not Chromebook.

Preset and custom blocklists

Start from a preset list of distracting sites and apps or build your own. On Mac and Windows a list can also work in reverse, allowing only the sites you name.

Sessions across devices

One session can include several devices at once, such as a laptop and a phone. Every plan, including Free, allows unlimited devices.

Scheduled and recurring sessions

Premium lets sessions start automatically at a set time and repeat on a schedule. Free accounts can only start a session immediately.

Locked Mode

A Premium setting that prevents a session from being ended before its timer runs out.

Focus sounds

Background audio for a session, with a choice of music and ambient recordings such as cafes, libraries and nature.

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.

Freedom

• Free$0

  Website, app and internet blocking on unlimited devices with custom blocklists. Start Now sessions only, capped at 2 hours.

• Premium Yearly$3.33

  per month, billed yearly ($39.99)

  Adds scheduled, recurring and start-later sessions, Locked Mode, sessions longer than 2 hours and partner discounts.

• Premium Monthly$8.99

  per month, billed monthly

  The same Premium features as the yearly plan, paid month to month.

• Forever$199

  one-time purchase

  Lifetime Premium access with no recurring charge. The pricing page showed it marked down to $99.50 on the date checked.

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.

Freedom

• Annual discount

  Lower price with yearly billing

  Premium costs $39.99 billed yearly, shown as $3.33 a month, against $8.99 billed monthly. The pricing page labels the yearly option "Save 40%".

• Lifetime license

  Forever plan: pay once for lifetime Premium

  Freedom sells lifetime Premium access as a single payment with no recurring charges. The list price is $199; the pricing page showed $99.50 on the date checked.

ScreenZen

No public discounts listed.