Jomo vs ScreenZen

Jomo

• iPhone and Mac users who want the same blocking rules on both
• People who want apps unlocked only after a wait, a reason or a walk
• Students: the annual plan is half price with a student ID
• Buyers who would rather pay once 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

Jomo

• Apple devices only: iPhone, iPad and Mac. Jomo's pages list no Android or Windows version.
• The free plan allows 1 Session, 1 Action or Limit and 1 Screen Time Budget.
• Strict Mode, the Apple Health integration and multiple Screen Time Budgets need Jomo Plus.
• The help center says only the lifetime plan can be shared with family, yet the US App Store also lists Jomo Plus Family at $11.99 a month and $59.99 a year.

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.

Jomo

Sessions

Block chosen apps for a set duration or inside a time range, such as an hour of deep work or 9 PM to 6 AM, at a blocking strength you pick.

Limits and Actions

A Limit blocks apps after a set amount of use, such as 10 minutes. An Action keeps them blocked until you do something first, such as walking 5,000 steps.

Unlocks

Opening a blocked app can require waiting a few seconds, giving a reason, copying out a text, entering a password, scanning a QR code or showing proof.

Strict Mode

Makes rules impossible to delete or bypass, for a set time, while blocking, within a time range or always. It is part of Jomo Plus.

Journaling and reports

After a session you record whether the app was worth the time, and reports show usage patterns so you can decide what to block.

Mac app

Blocks apps, websites and keywords on the Mac in all browsers, with no extension needed except for Firefox. Focus Filters switch on the same rules on iPhone and Mac together.

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.

Jomo

• Free Plan$0

  1 Session, 1 Action or Limit and 1 Screen Time Budget, with Squads and Reports.

• Jomo Plus (Monthly)$5.99

  per month, US App Store in-app purchase

  Jomo Plus paid month to month. It is listed on the App Store but not on Jomo's pricing page, and has no free trial.

• Jomo Plus (Annual)$29.99

  per year, after a 3-day free trial

  Up to 10 Sessions and 10 Actions or Limits, Strict Mode, Apple Health integration, deleting apps from Screen Time and multiple Screen Time Budgets.

• Student (Annual)$14.99

  per year, with a valid student ID

  The annual plan at half price for iPhone and Mac, renewable every school year by reapplying with proof.

• Single Purchase$99.99

  one-time purchase

  All Jomo Plus features for one payment, shareable with up to 5 family members. The US App Store also lists a lifetime purchase at $84.99.

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.

Jomo

• Annual discount

  Annual billing costs about 58% less than monthly

  The US App Store lists Jomo Plus at $29.99 a year against $5.99 a month, which comes to $71.88 over twelve months.

• Education

  50% off the annual plan for students

  Students who submit a valid student ID through Jomo's form pay $14.99 a year instead of $29.99. Monthly and lifetime plans are excluded, and the discount must be reapplied for each year.

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime Jomo Plus for a one-time $99.99

  The Single Purchase plan unlocks all Jomo Plus features for one payment and can be shared with up to 5 family members through iCloud Family Sharing.

ScreenZen

No public discounts listed.